Experience & Contributions

A Career Built Across Systems

Over two decades of professional practice spanning healthcare delivery, education, research, governance and public service — often held concurrently, always in service of people.

Dr Sithandazile Masuku — professional

One of the things I have come to appreciate about my career is that it has rarely followed a single track. At many points, I have held multiple roles simultaneously — clinical practice alongside teaching, governance alongside research, public service alongside professional development.

This page brings together the key appointments and contributions that have shaped my professional life. Some are formal roles. Some are voluntary commitments. All have been meaningful.

Healthcare Delivery

Clinical Practice

Apr 2026 – Present

Quality and Accreditation Lead

Confidential

Leading the quality, governance and regulatory-readiness programme supporting the development and launch of a new private healthcare service in Abu Dhabi, with responsibility for establishing the assurance framework required to support Department of Health (DoH) assessment and regulatory approval.

2009–2012

Staff Nurse — Medium Secure Forensic Mental Health Ward

NHS

Providing clinical care within a medium secure forensic mental health setting, working with patients whose needs sat at the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system.

2012–2013

Forensic Community Psychiatric Nurse

NHS

Supporting patients transitioning from secure settings back into the community, maintaining therapeutic relationships and coordinating care across services.

2013–2018

Liaison and Diversion Nurse

NHS

Working at the interface of healthcare and the criminal justice system — identifying and supporting individuals with mental health, substance use and other vulnerabilities at the point of contact with the justice system.

Concurrent

Bank Nurse

NHS

Maintaining active clinical practice alongside academic and governance roles, ensuring continued connection to frontline healthcare delivery.

Concurrent

Bank Nurse

Cygnet Health Care

Contributing clinical expertise within independent sector mental health services, broadening experience across different organisational contexts.

Academia

Education & Research

2016–present

Associate Lecturer

The Open University

Supporting students in healthcare and related disciplines through distance learning, combining academic rigour with practical professional experience.

2018–2025

Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing

Northumbria University

Teaching, research supervision and curriculum development across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in mental health nursing.

2023–2025

Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing

Northumbria University in Singapore

Delivering the Northumbria University curriculum in Singapore, working with an internationally diverse student cohort and gaining valuable cross-cultural teaching experience.

Civic Contribution

Governance & Public Service

Concurrent

Magistrate

HM Courts & Tribunals Service

Serving as a lay magistrate — a voluntary judicial role requiring careful judgement, impartiality and a commitment to justice. One of the most demanding and rewarding responsibilities of my career.

Concurrent

Partner Governor

NHS Foundation Trust

Contributing to NHS governance as a Partner Governor, representing the interests of partner organisations and supporting the Trust's strategic direction and accountability.

Peer Contribution

Professional Service

Ongoing

Peer Reviewer

Academic Journals

Contributing to the integrity of academic publishing through peer review of submitted manuscripts in mental health nursing, public health and related fields.

Ongoing

Practice Assessor / Supervisor

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Supporting the development of student nurses in clinical practice, fulfilling NMC requirements for practice assessment and supervision in line with the Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment.

Qualifications

Academic & Professional Credentials

2025

PhD

Northumbria University — Interpretative Phenomenological Study

2016

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning

Higher Education

2013

Master's in Public Health

2012

BSc (top-up) in Practice Development

2006–2009

Advanced Diploma in Nursing

Before 2004

Diploma in Education

Secondary school teaching qualification, Zimbabwe

Collaborate

Interested in Working Together?

I am open to conversations about research collaboration, advisory roles, speaking engagements and other professional opportunities. Please get in touch.