Iwona currently works in Pharmacy as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician.
She chose to complete an apprenticeship as she knew she wanted to work as a Pharmacy Technician and learn about dispensing medications.
She is passionate about what she does and thinks that CUH is a great place to work with lots of opportunities for learning and progression.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I have various tasks that I complete in my role such as clinical trial dispensing, checking if any prescriptions are waiting in the queue to be dispensed, dispensing medication, checking and analysing prescriptions, answering the phones, liaising with pharmacists and senior employees, creating medication labels for patients and receiving stock from suppliers.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy that I am helping patients as it makes me feel that what I am doing something worthwhile and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I also enjoy learning all about the different medications.
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 off the job learning is completed online and I attend virtual classroom sessions where I have interactive e-learning teaching and activities, presentations and meetings. I am also given tasks to complete after the sessions and written assignments. My tutor is in regular contact with me and we have regular reviews to make sure that everything is progressing as it should be.
What are your future intentions?
I would like to successfully complete my apprenticeship and hopefully progress within Pharmacy.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
I would say that doing an apprenticeship is really worthwhile as it gives you the opportunity to gain a qualification whilst working at the same time. CUH is also a fantastic training hospital!
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?
I think I have developed many skills since starting my apprenticeship, including organisation, time management and critical thinking. My memory also seems to have developed and I am able to remember the things I have been taught and put them into practice.