Occupational Therapy Apprentice Review
at NHS
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare
Portsmouth
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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:
4/5
My role as an Occasional Therapy Apprentice is to support the qualified OT and wider MDT with holistic intervention for Adult Mental Health patients within the community. My day would consist of ADL/PADL assessment, graded exposure work, behaviour activation. Supporting patient with tools to cope with their mental health whilst engaging in daily meaningful activities.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I've really enjoyed the Flying Faculty that the University holds, in a meeting point down South. As this allows us to have a face to face learning opportunity and provide a chance to engage better with other students and group activities. I really enjoyed this occupational set-up, due to being a Neurdivergent Student, as this helps support my learning.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since joining Solent Adult Mental Health, I've learnt in depth about Psychosis, Post tramatic Stress and trauma, Bipolar condition, Multiple Personality Disorder, Functional Neurological Disorder condition. Since joing Solent, I am now a trainer in Solent Recovery College, in an educational setting. To educate and provide tools to those that have enrolled in the college, to understand the condition and strategies to have cope and have 'hope'
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The program is well planned and organised by the lecture staff. However the communication between the university and workplace can get lost, and is often long winded. I also found that IT program in the university very stressful. As 'Aptem' still currently has problems, therefore preventing us student to upload any evidence of our learning to be recorded.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I received a great amount of support from Solent and am very appreciative of this. I have supervision every 6 weeks, with a mini supervision every 3 weeks. My line manager is always keen for us to learn and progress further in our role. EDNA is a team Solent provided me, which have been VERY helpful with my dyslexia needs.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I have regular support and chance to discuss over my learning with my supervisor. She has offered to proof read my essays, and made helpful recommendation to utilize the resources and staff to support me assignment learning. I feel that my supervisor is my 'cheerleader' and wants me to do well, which is very reassuring.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Without it, it would be impossible to provided the service that the patient would need, and could be potentially dangerous. Therefore is vital!
From learning the theoretical reasoning, it helps me out it into practice at my workplace. Giving me the skills to give the best intervention for my patients
From learning the theoretical reasoning, it helps me out it into practice at my workplace. Giving me the skills to give the best intervention for my patients
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
I believe there might be. However it's not well signposted to where this would be, for me to explore further. That being said, my team is very good at celebration/ achievement activity/ events. Which is more meaningful to me, as this helps with the relationship within the team and makes us feel valued.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Without Solent, I wouldn't have been able to get onto this program. I love that they want their staff to progress and invest their time and money into their staff. I feel valued and cared for by my organisation. The option of going to university would not have been possible without them.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
If the opportunity is there, take it! There is challenges along the way, but anything that would benefit you in the long term is worth a little hardship. You will thank yourself for doing it and the support is amazing! Im excited to what the future holds for me once I'm qualified.
