Senior Transformation Lead Review

I am a senior Transformation lead with ipswich and east suffolk clinical commissioning group. When I started the apprenticeship in March 2018 I was employed by ESNEFT and was a team lead Occupational Therapist. I went on a secondment to the CCG and a now permanently employed there from June 2019. My current role requires me to develop new services and re-design existing services to ensure health and care provision meets the needs of our local population as well as fits in with national vision set out by NHS England.

I have developed existing skills such as: Communication, leadership and management, time management and project management. Over the years I had developed my leadership and management skills but the apprenticeship validated this and provided underpinning theory. I have learnt new skills in the following area: Problem solving and decision making Building relationships Operational management and Finance.

I have completed the apprenticeship programme over an 18 month period from March 2018 - Sept 2019. Initially it was challenging as there was a change in tutor and expectations of the course weren’t set out with the first tutor. We were the first cohort within the trust so no one was sure what to expect.

Very well structured and set out but this wasn’t explained initially so as students we weren’t sure what to expect. However with a change of tutors this became clearer and expectations were set out. There was an element of playing catch up as previous assessments hadn’t been completed correctly.

Very pleased with this overall. I was supported by both my substantive and seconded employers to continue with the apprenticeship. I changed jobs during the course of the apprenticeship but this didn’t cause any problems. I was supported to attend taught sessions, assessment sessions and time within working week to complete self directed study.

Support is readily available from Qube, the tutor has been available to support students in various forms, face to face, email, text and phone and video calling. There has been time during taught sessions to discuss assignments and requirements on a 1:1 basis as well as through group discussion with other students.

Completing the apprenticeship in leadership and management has helped me to develop and consolidate my knowledge and skills and having given me practical and theoretical knowledge to draw upon to manage challenging situations with confidence and ease. During the course of the apprenticeship I have been successful in gaining career progression with a promotion. I was able to use the apprenticeship topics to help me prepare and succeed in the interview and selection process.

I’m not aware of any extra-curricular activities to get involved in work. As a team we have regular social lunches every couple of months. We also have an away day once a quarter and last time we completed a team volunteering activity at a local community garden. There is a health and well-being group.

Yes

Working in the NHS is very rewarding and offers good opportunities with wide and varied roles. I have worked in the NHS for 18 years, 16 of those as an occupational therapist and the last 2 years as a transformation lead in the local clinical commissioning group. I have had lots of opportunities to progress and develop my career and completing the apprenticeship with Qube has consolidated my leadership and management repertoire.

I would encourage all health and care professionals to consider moving into a commissioning role as it provides opportunities to persuade and influence the provision of health and care for our local population. Often career progression opportunities for therapists can be limited once you’ve got to a team leader level. Completing the apprenticeship with Qube will give you a wider perspective and prepare you for any leadership and management roles.