Apprentice Clinical Associate Psychologist Review
at NHS
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare
Southampton
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My job role is an Apprentice Clinical Associate Psychologist (ACAP). This means that I am training on the job alongside completing my studies, to better inform the psychological assessment, formulations, interventions and outcomes that I deliver to my patients. The main aim within my role is to stay up to date on the current ways of working within my service to deliver individual, person-centred care, that is available to all of those who need it, working autonomously within the integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am really enjoying partaking in the programme. I love to learn, it is a passion of mine, and to be able to continue learning, whilst within the area of work that I want to be in, I feel that I am very privileged. The work, study and life balance is very enjoyable and rewarding.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Though I came into the role with some of my own knowledge and skills, obtained through both my own clinical experiences as a support worker and enablement assistant, my volunteering and my previous degrees in BSc Psychology and MSc Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology. The role has developed, advanced and broadened my existing skills far more than I imagined it could have done.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Since the programme is new to the service within the South, there were initially some teething problems. Alongside the staff sickness within the provider of the degree apprenticeship it has meant that some assignment deadlines and timetabling have only just been resolved several months into the course, however both The University and the service in which I work, have tried their upmost to support and maintain professionalism with the delivery of the programme, and the commitment that everybody has to the programme could not be faulted at all.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have required more support whilst undertaking the course, than usual and the support that I have received from my employer, in particular my Team Manager and Clinical Mentor/Supervisor, as well as some of the colleagues and other apprentices within my team have been excellent. I couldn't fault it. I feel that I am part of a very special, sincere and dedicated team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The training provider has aimed to provide as many opportunities to all apprentices as possible. This includes extra guest speakers, outside of the university lecturers, a lengthy induction programme and attempting to maintain contact with academics at all stages, as soon as possible. We will always be notified of extra learning opportunities, ensuring we get the best out of our degree Apprenticeship programme.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that the academic and theory based study is vitally important in underpinning the rationale for why we are delivering the interventions that we are. Though I feel I would be able to complete some of the aspects in my role without added learning due to my previous experience, I feel that I would not be able to confidently and professionally deliver the service that I am providing without it.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
We regularly meet for MDTs and as a part of this, we will also discuss Business items which can include extra curricular activities. This includes yoga, which I don't currently participate in, but can imagine the positive benefits this would have on staff wellbeing within the team. There is also regular communication from the Trust about different things we can get involved in. In my team, in particular, we have a 'positivity jar' which is shared in our meetings, this may not be considered extra curricular but this is vitally important in improving and maintaining staff morale.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have worked for Solent NHS Trust for several years now and I feel that, as a smaller trust, they really do value their employees. I feel the communication is brilliant, the staff teams are wonderful and that the training that they provide is excellent. I would and have highly recommended to many people throughout the years, especially with the opportunity of the Degree Apprenticeship, now on the table too.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
I would tell them to read around about the service, it's core values and it's goals and plans in the coming years, to see if the Trust is a suit for them. I would also recommend that they get in touch and show willing the people they are thinking of applying for. I would highly recommend that ACAP role to anyone with a specific interest in Psychology as I think it is an excellent role for a budding, up and coming Psychologist.
