Team Secretary Review
at NHS
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Portsmouth
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3/5
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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
Working in a fast paced department within Solent NHS my main role as department secretary is supporting the Clinicians - this can be from completing new starter requests to updating annual leave, as a gatekeeper - giving access to certain programmes. Other jobs include minute taking, ordering stores, recording plaudits, booking team training & sending out invites via outlook.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I have completed my programme. To be totally honest i enjoyed the end stage the most - this involved more research, collating information for presentations and getting ready for the end point assessment and online exam it meant i needed to really think about what i was doing. I enjoyed the end exams but i didn't really enjoy the modules
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes! i have learnt how to use computer programmes needed for my role including Healthroster and SystmOne having never used these before i attended virtual training. New skills also include putting together PowerPoint presentations as part of my coursework, this involved a lot of research on the internet and asking my teenage daughter for guidance as its something they learn at senior school.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I changed hospital trusts mid way through and found a warm welcome from the Solent NHS apprenticeship department. Portsmouth hospitals lacked in any support for apprenticeship's. Highbury college did offer virtual meetings but these were not very engaging and felt repetitive.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Solent NHS are very supportive. The learning/apprentice department got in touch pretty much straight away and invited me to the teams meetings where they all made sure everyone had cameras on, meetings were started with introductions by all and it was a very relaxed, positive and supportive meeting structure.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
Highbury College i would not recommend to anyone! it was very repetitive, i felt as if they were just pushing me through the process, the online meetings were robotic and not engaging as if they were reading from a script. Felt like the following: read this module - give an example - complete the module
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
It doesn't if i am been totally honest. i gave feedback to Highbury college after the first module - that the modules do not reflect admin in a workplace and my tutor agreed and said that is what everyone says!!!! i feel sorry for the younger ones taking this course having to jump through hoops that does not reflect the admin world
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes we have a weekly Solent newsletter emailed to all that offers free fitness classes, chaplain support and other updates for getting healthy, sometimes recipes from the hospital kitchens. our department also organise meeting once a month for a drink and catch up after work. These are all great ideas
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Solent NHS are supportive and approachable, keen for staff to learn and develop with a great support network. My Supervisor and Manager are approachable - as are all clinical and admin staff, it has a lovely community hospital feel, after working in an acute hospital for 8 years i would never go back to such a large hospital trust. With Solent - i feel valued.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
Apply! great place to work. [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]
