Mrs Green-James, who officially began her new role on 1 June 2025, completed a rigorous four-month Operating Theatre Scrub Technician Course in Jamaica, which included two months of theoretical training and two months of hands-on practical experience. The programme, certified by Jamaica’s Ministry of Health, covered a wide range of subjects including anatomy and physiology, aseptic techniques, and surgical technologies. The opportunity was made possible through HSA’s internal training and development programme, designed to upskill promising Caymanian staff.
Mrs Green-James shared that the decision to pursue this path stemmed from her desire to spend more time with her children, as the Scrub Tech schedule offered greater flexibility compared to her previous 12-hour shifts as a porter. “It was a proud moment,” she said. “It was overwhelming and exciting—but I did it. I spent four months away from my children, and now I can finally be there for school meetings and functions without asking someone else to step in.”
Elda Green-James in her new role as scrub technician.
Despite the long hours, Mrs Green-James stated that she loved her job as a porter. It was her experience, working across every ward, from Medical to Accident & Emergency (A&E), that laid the foundation for her career change. A simple conversation with a physician in the A&E Department sparked her interest in the Operating Room (OR). "One of the doctors said to me, ‘You take to this so easily, why not go into the OR?’” she recalls. Although she initially hesitated, when the opportunity finally came through HSA, she seized it with the support of key leaders, such as Director of Nursing Dr Karen Stewart.
The transition wasn't without its challenges. “As a porter, I was always on the move. As a scrub tech, I remain in one place for extended periods during surgeries. That took some adjusting,” she noted. However, the rewards have been significant. “I’m proud. I went from pushing patients around to directly assisting in their surgeries. I always wanted to do more and now I am.”
Mrs Green-James was selected from a competitive pool of 12 internal applicants through a rigorous process that included interviews and examinations. She advanced as one of the top three candidates reviewed by Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and was ultimately the only individual selected for the overseas training opportunity.
Chief Human Resources Officer Samantha Bennett confirmed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to upskill Caymanian staff. “We are proud to offer these professional development opportunities that empower our employees to grow into new roles,” said Mrs Bennett. “Elda is a shining example of what’s possible through hard work, commitment, and support. She now serves as a beacon of inspiration for her peers and for the wider Caymanian community.”
Mrs Green-James also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the HSA leadership team. “Thank you for believing in me. Being away for four months made me value our healthcare system even more. In Jamaica, patients may wait an entire day or longer to be seen in A&E and often have to travel between hospitals and private labs just to complete basic tests. Here at HSA, everything is in one place under one Authority. We should never take that for granted.”
Her advice to other HSA staff and the wider public is to “Start anywhere you can. You don’t have to stay in one position—there are always opportunities to grow.”