Andrew had been working at CUH as a Physiotherapy Assistant in a variety of teams for a couple of years before deciding he wanted to become a Physiotherapist.
He had previously studied Physical Activity, Nutrition and Behaviour Change at university but always had an interest in Physiotherapy.
He chose to do an apprenticeship at CUH because it offered him the balance of studying for a degree and continuing to earn a full time salary alongside gaining experience and learning new skills which he could then put into practice to refine his ability.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
A typical day for me starts by identifying which patients I am going to see and structuring my day to ensure things go smoothly.
Working independently and alongside Physiotherapists offers me great exposure to learn new things every day, there is always a new daily challenge to conquer in a patient facing role.
There is lots of structured teaching from senior experienced Physiotherapists which is fascinating and helps me refine my skills both inside and outside of work.
What do you enjoy about your role?
In my current role I am working in the Neurosciences Team. I enjoy the constant learning from new situations with different presenting symptoms in patients, working out plans for therapy sessions and undertaking them, and seeing patients progress and achieve their goals.
No two days are the same, as with CUH being a major trauma centre, we encounter so many different conditions and presentations.
What sorts of things do you do for the off-the-job learning aspect of your apprenticeship and does this involve attending college or is it all completed at work?
For my off-the-job learning, I attend the University of East London once a week where I partake in lectures and practical sessions to learn new skills which I can put into practice in a work environment.
There are a lot of online tutorials and lots of content to ensure I can learn the necessary skills.
I also get protected study / learning time in the week to manage my degree whilst also working full time. I find this is a good balance as it also provides me time to complete my coursework and practice skills for the practical university examinations.
What are your future intentions?
My future intentions are to specialise in Neurosciences Physiotherapy, as this is an area I enjoy most and feel I can make a big impact on patients’ lives.
I find it rewarding seeing the journey people go on in their rehab and getting to that final point of progression.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
My advice to get into a Physiotherapy apprenticeship would be to start your career as a Physiotherapy Assistant and work within the different teams to find an area you are passionate about. This will help you understand the different types of roles within Physiotherapy.
Before I joined the Trust, Physiotherapy looked mainly to be Outpatient and Musculoskeletal based, but there is so much more to learn and do, from Respiratory to Rehab!
The main theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is 'skills for life'. What are the most important skills for life that you have developed in your role?
Within my role, I feel the biggest skills I have gained for life are communication, confidence and team working.