Therapy Assistant Review
at NHS
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare
Swindon, Wiltshire
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Screening patients, prioritising medically fit patients, completing full assessment of subjective, objective and discharge planning. Case simple (home with/without support) or complex patients that involve further family liasion and/or complex social work involvement (refer to). Onward referrals to any community help or support once the patient is home.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
It has been really great to emmerse self back in to learning mode and expand on some previous knowledge, though a lot of it is new information. The University days are quite long and take some getting used to initially however are needed to ensure all learning can take place that day. I really enjoy the programme and I would not have had the chance to do it with any other employer.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
More medical knowledge, exposure to patients who are more acutely unwell and how this may affect them. More confidence in chatting and communication with patients and family, having some more difficult conversations. Able to learn more clinical reasoning skills. In service training has supported further learning and given a taster to some conditions that will see on the wards
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Clear from the start/enroll meetings how the learning is set out, with a timeline of this. Clear with the amount of hours needed in both teaching and off-the-job learning. The University day is one long day with back-to-back lectures but follows a plan and schedule for each Week of learning within each module week.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Good support by providing study days (every other week - Alternative with colleague on same apprenticeship) to help consolodate the learning on the Tuesday. I know as we delve deeper into the further practice we can on help from our already qualified colleagues to help practice/role play or support to understand conditions further.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
A lot of learning happens on the day but module leaders and tutors are available to contact throughout the week if there are any questions that arise and are always happy to chat or discuss anything after lectures. We are attached to the University in the same way as the undergraduates so we have all the support available as per undergraduates with assignemnt support/writing etc.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Only within the first year currently and setting a lot of foundations, and our team roles vary quite a bit in relation to the studies i.e. Physiotherapy so it is dependent on the patients we receive however still applying clinical skills to see these patients i.e. subjective/objective etc. However when placement starts which will focus on further areas of physiotherapy of which I will be able to cross over any learning during this time as part of 'off the job hours'
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
Colleagues within our team do organise social events/meals which go down well, as well as shared lunches if celebrating somethin/birthday or rotations.
I have my own hobbies outside of work/studies such as gym and football so try to continue with that as much as possbile and keep a routine with those as I personally reap benefits to exercise to help with mental health/wellbeing.
I have my own hobbies outside of work/studies such as gym and football so try to continue with that as much as possbile and keep a routine with those as I personally reap benefits to exercise to help with mental health/wellbeing.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good inter-disciplinary working, helpful staff and colleagues, opportunity to see more medical/acute patients on a daily basis. Training opportunities available both formal and informal that are widely supported. Networking groups or opportunites are available too and help with career progression or advice. Lots of different roles and experiences within teams to help support you.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
If you happen to come to the hospital for a visit to a patient or appointment, perhaps observe daily ongoings around the ward/area and see daily intercations and the staff that are on the ward. If there is an opportunity to shadow if you're not sure about hospital environment, I was given a chance to see the team before I joined) take the opportunity to see how things work as that helps to break down any barriers or preconceptions. There are plenty of training opportunites available so there is chance to develop within your role.
