Profile
Tim Knapp
My CV
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Education:
Bilton High School Rugby
East Warwickshire College
Bristol Polytechnic
University of the West of England -
Qualifications:
I wasn’t very good at school
I did CSE qualifications the highest grade was a 1 lowest a 4 or 5
a grade 1 was the equivalent to a GCSE ‘C’ grade
I only got a 1 in Art the rest were either 2 or 3s.
I went to college to study Carpentry, Joinery and wood machining.
I worked in Joinery shops making doors windows stairs etc.
It was 24 when I got a job in the South of France.
Learned to dive on my days off.
At 26 in the winter I started A levels in Biology and Physics.
Long story short they weren’t good results so I couldn’t go to Plymouth Uni to study Marine Biology so started a HND in Applied Biology at Bristol Poly which then turned into a university halfway through the course.
Back in France injured myself badly and then spent a long time recovering while finishing the HND.
I got an evening job at NHS Blood & Transplant and never looked back.
I have a BSc Hons Biomedical Science
I also have a British Blood Transfusion Banking Certificate
Numerous diving qualifications including Advanced Decompression Instructor.
I now have City & Guilds in:
Initial verification and Periodic Inspection testing condition reporting
BS7671 18edition wiring regulation
Part P Building regulations.
Electrical Appliance inspection and testing
and Management of electrical Appliance inspecting and testing.
EAL Level 2 Electrical installation
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About Me:
Started as a carpenter, became a holiday rep in the South of France, became addicted to SCUBA diving, went back to do A levels at 26. Did a HND in Applied Biology with a view to become a Marine biologist but fell out of a tree and ended up working in the National Blood Service and became a biomedical Scientist!
Been here ever since but have now nearly qualified as an electrician. -
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Married, had three kids, divorced, got married again to someone with 3 grown up kids and now have two dogs, Rosie and Daisey. Live in Bristol but originally from Warwickshire.
I teach SCUBA diving in my spare time for University of the West of England.
The picture below was taken in Cornwall a couple of years ago
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If you want to know what it’s like at NHS Blood & Transplant there are some YouTube videos in the link below.
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My Typical Day:
I used to work in the manufacturing department but I have moved about a bit and worked in Quality Monitoring, Testing, Red cell Immunohaematology and now work in the Scientific and Clinical Training department here in NHSBT Filton centre.
Typical day would have been meet students that are here on placement or studying to become Biomedical Scientists, nowadays usually done via Zoom, to look at the evidence they have gathered to complete a portfolio.
We are now running tutorials and other educational material on-line.
I teach about blood groups, and all the practical elements. -
What I'd do with the prize money:
When Covid-19 risk goes down to next to nothing visit schools with fake blood grouping kits (which cost money) and do some hands on practical’s to help students understand about the importance of blood groups and the importance of donating blood.
Or even better revert to inviting them to the centre for a tour and doing the practical’s in our training lab!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Scientist diver electrician
What did you want to be after you left school?
Carpenter
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Oh yes, not doing homework and not working hard.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Slightly more hair, an ankle that doesn't ache and a new knee.
Tell us a joke.
Don't beleive anything an atom tells you. They just make up everything.
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