Real Life Story: Laura van Schayk – Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Haematology
Laura’s journey with NHS Orkney began in 2015, when she spotted a part-time maternity cover role for a Medical Laboratory Assistant advertised in The Orcadian. Having recently returned home to Orkney after completing her degree in Biomedical Sciences, she saw the opportunity as a perfect way to gain experience while deciding her next steps.
“I’d just moved back to Orkney and wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take,” Laura says. “The temporary role seemed like a great way to get started in the lab and see where it might lead.”
What followed was a remarkable progression. Her role became permanent in 2016, full-time in 2017, and by 2018 she was studying online for her honours degree – funded by NHS Orkney.
After graduating in 2019, Laura became NHS Orkney’s first trainee Biomedical Scientist. In early 2023, she completed her portfolio and became HCPC registered, joined the out-of-hours on-call rota, and began studying for an MSc in Biomedical Sciences. Now, nearly a decade later, she’s stepped into a Band 6 role as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Haematology.
Laura loves the balance of living and working in Orkney. “I don’t need to make a plan to get out into nature, it’s right there on my doorstep,” she says. “I often walk my dog to the beach and back before work, which I don’t think many folk have the opportunity to do. And my morning commute is a 10-minute walk past fields of sheep!”
Working for NHS Orkney has meant more than just career development. “Being part of a close-knit, community-focused healthcare service means the work I do has a real impact on patient care,” Laura explains. “As an Orcadian, being able to progress my career at home has been amazing, something I never thought would be possible. But with hard work, determination, and the support of my managers and colleagues, I’ve forged my own path.”
Her proudest moment came earlier this year, when she was named winner of the Rising Star category in Scotland’s Chief Scientific Officer Healthcare Science Awards. “It was such an honour,” she says. “To be recognised like that, especially after everything I’ve worked towards, meant a lot.”