David currently works as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) Apprentice at CUH.
He previously worked in a community pharmacy for 8 years and found that he enjoyed the patient interaction and was interested in the medications and what they did/how they worked.
He felt that in the community he was limited with exposure to rarer conditions and medications so when the opportunity arose to become an apprentice in Pharmacy at CUH, he jumped at the chance due to CUH’s status as a tertiary care and regional centre.
David felt an apprenticeship was the better option for him as he was being paid to work and train at the same time. He says that if he had gone to university he would have had to pay for his training himself but by taking on the apprenticeship, his fees are paid by CUH plus he is gaining lots of experience on the job whilst integrating fully with the various teams throughout the Pharmacy Department.
Why do you think that CUH are a good employer for apprenticeships?
CUH is great because not only do I have the opportunity to join some of the leading clinical teams in the country, the Trust also focuses on Education and Training of their staff, supporting us to develop as trainees. Within the wider Pharmacy Department, there is a strong culture of learning, where team members are proud to train you up in their specific area. Their enthusiasm is infectious and I have found this has helped me to forge connections with new teams quickly.
What does a typical day look like and what do you enjoy about your role?
My role is rotational which means that I go through a cycle of different roles, giving me exposure to the entire department and allowing me to find out what I enjoy the most. The day-to-day role looks very different depending on where I am working within the department. So far, I have been in the Inpatient Dispensary where I have learnt how to dispense medications for inpatients and for discharge medicines (TTOs), and Central Pharmacy Stores and Distribution (the nerve centre of Pharmacy at CUH) which supplies both the inpatient and outpatient dispensaries and where I have learnt about the procurement and management of stock.
I am looking forward to starting my clinical rotations where I will be participating in ward-based clinical work, such as medicines reconciliation and drug histories. Future placements will be in either Total Parenteral Nutrition or Cytotoxics which manufactures specialist medicines.
What I like about my role is the variability in the tasks I am asked to undertake. No two days are alike, meaning that I never get bored. Our Pharmacy team here at CUH is a big reason behind my enjoyment of my role; they really respect and value my contribution as a trainee.
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?
I am typically given one day per week for study which consists of several aspects: Firstly I have on-line learning through the training provider portal where I am able to build the foundations of my knowledge about Pharmacy, medical conditions and medications, and the production and supply of medicines. Secondly, I have practical training and work shadowing. This is where I document what I have learnt on a day-to-day basis in each rotation, such as medicines reconciliation, dispensing or clinical work. Thirdly I have to complete my own research into pharmacy-related topics
How have your department supported you within this apprenticeship?
The department have been very supportive. During each rotation, colleagues and section leads have been more than happy to show me the ropes. Section leads have always been proactive in helping me to complete my course, asking me when I needed to complete certain evidences and what I needed to see for my qualification.
The Education & Training Team are also an extra source of support, especially when liaising between different parts of the department and the external training provider.
What are your future intentions?
I would like to stay at CUH as a Band 4/5 Technician initially, before trying to progress on to Band 6. I am yet to complete all of my rotations so I am not sure where I would most like to go within the hospital. As it stands, I feel that I would most like a role with ward-based clinical work.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
My main piece of advice is to give everything a go. If there is an opportunity to do something new or to try a new aspect of the job, try it out – I have found myself enjoying aspects of the job I didn’t expect to.
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 and how has your apprenticeship training helped to build them?
I would say I have developed resilience and I am now able to move on from when things don’t go to plan and see them as growth opportunities.
I also have a greater understanding of diversity and inclusion. During my time at CUH, I have had the pleasure of working with Health Care Professionals with a broad range of backgrounds, disabilities and levels of experience. Being able to adapt to the differing needs of others is a vital skill not only in Pharmacy, but in broader life.