(Medical Physics- Radiotherapy Department), working towards BSc Healthcare Science (Clinical Engineering).
I have always been a practical person and enjoy seeing the theory I am learning put into application. I studied Maths, Biology and Physics at A-Level which led me towards the Clinical Engineering route. I was excited by the idea of working in a clinical environment and seeing the positive impact our work had on patients. I was attracted to an apprenticeship because of the rounded experience it would provide; not only allowing me to work towards and achieve my degree, but to be able to work alongside brilliant staff, gain valuable experience in a healthcare setting and build my confidence and practical skills.
Why do you think that CUH are a good employer for apprenticeships?
Addenbrooke's is a well-known teaching and research hospital and works closely with the University of Cambridge. In 2024, CUH was ranked 83rd apprenticeship employer, with 274 new starts in 2023/24. It also offers apprenticeships from level 2-7. I felt that this would mean I was well supported starting here as an apprentice. It is also located in Cambridge’s Biomedical Campus, situated next to large biomedical hubs such as AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre (DISC), Papworth Royal hospital, Rosie Maternity hospital and Cambridge University buildings. This provides an additional opportunity to gain experience and work alongside other biomedical companies.
I moved to Cambridge for my apprenticeship after completing my A Levels. When I received my offer, I was contacted by the apprenticeship team about the process of being a new-starter at Addenbrooke's. They provided information with suggestions on housing and location, which proved to be very useful. It was a big change but the support from the apprenticeship team was very encouraging and they were quick to give feedback on any concerns or questions that I had.
What does a typical day look like and what do you enjoy about your role?
I work in the Medical Physics department, as part of the technician team maintaining the Linear Accelerators used for Radiotherapy treatments. I usually start my day by completing Quality Assurance (QA) checks on one of the machines. We follow a routine QA schedule that has different tasks allocated as Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and annual, as well as imaging checks that need to be completed each month, so each morning can vary. As part of the daily checks we test the mechanics of the machine, take output measurements to check beam performance and ensure the relevant systems are working as they should. Once the checks have been completed, the machine is handed clinical and patients can be treated. As technicians we are on standby ready to fault find and fix a machine if it encounters an error. We also complete other jobs around the department and are responsible for lots of other medical equipment and devices.
I enjoy my role as each day is different and I take pride in seeing the positive impact that we have on patients. Radiotherapy treatment can impact each patient differently so if we are able to ensure a smooth, safe running of the machines, we can help patients have a secure and comfortable experience during treatment. I have been involved in cases since my first day which means I have been able to build up my confidence while working on the machines, and improve other practical skills such as soldering and equipment testing.
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?
My apprenticeship means that I am studying for a BSc in Healthcare Science alongside working at the hospital. My degree is supported by the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. To complete the degree, I am allocated one day a week to work from home so I can attend online lectures delivered by the university. It also allows me to work on my coursework, keep on top of the delivered content and work on my portfolio. I also attend a ‘block’ week at the University three times a year. This means we are able to complete practical tasks in person onsite at UWE. We also have tri-partite meetings scheduled once every 12 weeks. This is a meeting between myself, my line manager and our allocated contact from the university. These are a good opportunity to provide feedback to the university and keep a track of my progress with the degree.
While at work, I am completing a series of competencies that have been provided by the university. These closely relate to tasks I would be completing in my role and encourage me to think about how the content we are taught applies to a real-life setting. The competencies are designed to be achievable but are a reminder to record and evidence what we are doing. They also provide an opportunity to see our progress throughout the duration of the degree.
The balance between working full time and completing the degree can be challenging but is extremely rewarding. It is important to ask for support when managing the two and I have found that when I needed support, the department was accommodating to allow me to do that.
How have your department supported you within this apprenticeship?
The department are very supportive with the apprenticeship. They allow me to allocate time for working on my portfolio or degree content and provide study leave in the run-up to exams or deadlines. I have also been supported by some colleagues running additional training sessions to help us, myself and some other trainees, develop our understanding and they are always happy to answer questions that we come across in our day to day work. From my personal experience, staff are always happy to let me observe and help with tasks that are beneficial to my competencies.
What are your future intentions?
Once I have completed my degree I would like to develop my engineering skills further and am interested in developing my design and manufacturing skills in particular. I see the impact that technology has on patient care and treatment and would love to be a part of the team that helps to create and innovate these ideas. The experience, qualification and confidence that I will have gained from doing my apprenticeship at Addenbrookes will hopefully allow me to do that.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
I would say to someone considering an apprenticeship to just go for it. If you have an open mind and a willingness to get involved and ask questions, then an apprenticeship provides an amazing opportunity not only gain a qualification but to experience working and to meet people that can support you. It can be challenging at first to get the balance of a full time job and working on the degree but as long as you keep working hard, there are amazing benefits to doing an apprenticeship.
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 definitely say that my confidence has grown since starting my apprenticeship. This is both in day to day tasks specific to my role, but also while moving around the department and interacting with other colleagues and professional specialisms. I have also built a solid foundation in my knowledge and skill level that I will be able to apply in any future roles that I have.