Conor’s career as a trainer has taken him through Retail, Customer Care, and Biopharma, with hands-on experience as a Production Operator at a major MedTech company in Cork. This mix of operational insight and training expertise gives him a unique perspective on the challenges healthcare teams face every day, and exactly how to address them.

We sat down with Conor to talk about his background, his biggest lessons from his career so far, and how he plans to support you at every step of your journey with Athera:

Conor’s background in Training & Healthcare:

Can you share a bit about your professional background and what led you to Athera?

I’ve been fortunate to work as a trainer across three industries (Retail, Customer Care, and Biopharma). I also spent time as a Production Operator in a major MedTech company in Cork. These experiences showed me how to support both internal and external stakeholders and taught me how to design learning solutions that really work in practice.

My approach to Learning and Development is rooted in finding creative solutions to complex challenges, particularly in highly regulated environments. I know how a quick, well-timed training session can save hours down the line.

Athera’s mission to support healthcare services like the NHS and HSE immediately resonated with me. Having spent years working upstream of healthcare, it’s a privilege to now contribute to a company that directly impacts patient care.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to training healthcare teams?

My philosophy centres on training that’s both practical and adaptable to ever-changing frameworks, policies, and budgets.

In highly regulated environments like hospitals, it’s essential that training not only meets compliance standards but also reflects real-world application. Learning should reflect the pressures and pace of clinical settings, whether that’s through scenario-based learning, modular content, or hands-on support.

Ultimately, training should feel like a benefit, not a task. It should help teams feel confident, prepared, and supported in performing their processes. I see my role as a partner in their success, helping them navigate the software with clarity and purpose.

How do you approach tailoring training to the specific needs of each hospital or department?

Every hospital and department has its own rhythm, priorities, and pressures. I always aim to start by listening – whether that’s through stakeholder interviews, shadowing teams, or reviewing feedback on FingerPrint. From there, I tailor training to reflect their specific environment.

For example, an administrative team may benefit from structured workshops while CSSD Personnel would need a more hands-on demo to fit into their busy schedules.

Flexibility is the priority. My goal is always to meet teams where they are and build from there.

What role do you think good training plays in helping teams prepare for audits and daily challenges?

Training plays a huge role in helping teams feel ready – not just to be qualified for audit readiness, but for the everyday pressures of healthcare. When staff know how to use the system confidently, it takes a lot of stress away from their daily workflows. Whether it’s tracking decontamination processes, managing stock flow, or pulling reports, good training means they’re not scrambling – they’re prepared.

Good Training is always about giving people the confidence to do their job well and feel supported while doing it.

What’s one thing you’d like customers to know about you as their trainer?

I’m here to make things easier and more engaging. I know how busy healthcare teams are, so I keep training straightforward, relevant, and respectful of their time. I’m always happy to adapt, answer questions, and make sure people can feel confident using the system.

At the end of the day, I’m not just teaching teams how to effectively use software – I’m helping teams deliver care more smoothly.