Personal Assistant Review
at NHS
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Manchester
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.6/5
-
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
On a day to day basis my role involves providing personal assistant and administrative support for three senior staff members with the North West office of Health Education England. This involves basic diary management such as management of diary clashes, organising meetings, minuting, proof reading, management of invoices, management of adhoc projects and distribution of information.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I am enjoying my apprenticeship and the new learning opportunities that this is providing me with. I haven't necessarily enjoyed each individual unit of this programme; for example I haven't enjoyed the emotional intelligent aspect in the early stages as I feel like I haven't been able to delve into the actual content of the programme as of yet.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
There is a much larger variety of meetings that I am in charge of organising and administering from beginning to end in comparison to previous roles I have had. I have developed my minuting skills and have learnt how to manage break out rooms. I have developed my knowledge of invoicing and budgets. I have also developed a deeper understanding of funding within the NHS.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is very well organised and structured. I like the bud platform that Paragon use as this allows me to clearly see what I am expected to complete and when by, what units I have coming up and how I am progressing in comparison to my time on the programme so far.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a lot of support from my employer. They were very happy for me to start an apprenticeship and encouraged me to explore my options in regards to what programmes I might enjoy. They also provide me with one full day of protected learning time, which can be taken as a full day or split across the week, as I see fit.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I have received lots of support from my personal tutor, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] . She is very approachable and quick to respond to any queries I have for her. She explained the whole programme very clearly and is happy to go through any queries I have more than once if I feel a little lost.
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 this qualification is definitely allowing me to not only perform better in my own role, but progress onto the role I would like to see myself in in the next couple of years. The programme is helping me to understand myself and my colleagues better, as well as see how they see me and how I could be an effective manager.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
I haven't yet been involved in any extra-curricular activities at work, but this is mostly down to me only having been with HEE for the last four months and spending most of this time settling into my role. However, I am aware of many people networks that HEE run and I would be interested to become involved with the Women's Network.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Health Education England are a very supportive employer and have a real focus on the wellbeing of their employees. I have never felt as supported at work as I do now. HEE's attitude is reflected through their employees and, overall, this provides a very open and positive working environment. They really live up to the "best employer" recognition that they strive for.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
I would advise anyone applying for Health Education England to approach it with an open mind. At first I was actually slightly shocked by how nice and supportive everyone was and I felt bit overwhelmed by this having come from very fast paced, high pressure environments in the past. It takes a little while to settle into this massive change in pace, but once you do it's lovely!
