I chose to do an apprenticeship with CUH because of the organisation’s good reputation with providing support for staff and patients.
After completing a Kick Start Scheme placement in the IVF clinic it helped confirm that science was the right career for me. I now work in Hematopathology & Oncology Diagnostic Services (HODS). Doing an apprenticeship gave me the advantage of knowing what to expect and how to function in the work field itself. If I were to do this subject as a full time student, I would have missed out the experience on how to perform and respond to a situation in a workplace. Not only that, I get paid as I work and study!
CUH is a very broad organisation with various different departments, which is why there is a good selection of apprenticeships to do, from level 2 to the higher levels. Not only that, the people I have worked with have been very supportive and understanding. Everyone has helped me from day one, when I was lacking skills and confidence, to the person I am today.
On a daily basis, I rotate between specimen reception and the lab. In specimen reception, I perform tasks such as booking in patient samples, phone calls, and emails. In the lab, I perform tasks such as setting up the lab in the morning, making slides on patient blood/bone marrow, processing body fluids, and helping the Biomedical Scientist with whatever I can assist them with.
What I enjoy the most about my job is I have a wide option of work that I can do independently and that I feel in control of, sorting out the tasks I need to do in order of priority. I also enjoy interacting with my very friendly and supportive colleagues, meaning that there is never a dull moment in the department!
Most of my off-the-job activities are done on college/study days where we learn the theory behind the more generalized side of things such as health and safety at work and other government bodies that oversee what we do. At work, I learn the theory and procedure behind the tasks I do through the standard operating procedure provided in the lab, alongside the guidance of my more experienced colleagues.
My department has supported me with training from day one. My colleagues have been excellent in teaching me why we do the things we do, and also providing advice on work and college matters. If I were to make a mistake, my colleagues have helped me to learn and to prevent the same thing from happening. Every approach has always been done in a very friendly manner.
I’ve now completed the level 3 apprenticeship and have been successful in obtaining a job in the department as Medical Laboratory Assistant. Doing the level 3 has made me realize that I want to carry on working in a healthcare lab setting, which means I would most definitely want to do the level 6 Biomedical Science apprenticeship very soon.
My advice for people who may be thinking of doing an apprenticeship is to just do it. Doing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I made, because it made me feel certain about the career path I wanted. You can gain valuable experience in a work environment while gaining relevant qualifications to succeed in the future.
I am generally a nervous person and I am quite indecisive. Through this apprenticeship I have learnt various life skills such as leadership, communication and decision making. I think these skills are important to have as it is needed in every kind of workplace but also on a daily basis outside of work.