Admin apprentice Review

My role with the NHS includes mainly reception duties, arriving patients to their appointments, booking them new appointments and calling them to make appointments. Also to sort filing attaching letters to notes so its all digital, answering the back office phone and answering any queries from people wanting appointments/answers.

I have learnt how to adapt my previous customer service skills into a patient environment. Learning how to change the language I use when addressing a different audience of people. Also learnt how to use new computer systems, and a whole new role that comes with it, to work better as a team.

Really enjoying the programme as it allows me to work and study at the same time. I am learning skills that can be used in another job as they can be adapted for other roles. At the end of the course I can get a qualification that I can use for a similar job to show I can work in a customer environment.

The programme is well organised by Solent NHS as before I went into the job they set us up with an induction week giving us an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and the computer software they use. Also gave everyone an opportunity to complete mandatory training which helped and did not go into our work time.

I feel that I receive a lot of support from my employer that set up apprentice meetings and reviews to see how we are getting on and offer any advice. Also within the team I work with I get one to one sessions which help me to say if I need extra support with things and provides me feedback with what I'm doing well.

From Chichester college we recieve a lot of help and support from the teachers, they inform us about any changes to our classes and they made the lessons to fit around the NHS. They also set up one to one sessions to see how we are getting on and allow us to ask any questions about the work.

Once I gain the customer service qualification it will help me to perform better at my role as it will allow me to provide the necessary information needed to patients and will tell me what is the correct way to address them. The course has given me an opportunity to learn more about Solent NHS through research which has given me an understanding of their expectations as a member of staff.

There are a few opportunities for events to get involved with that are sent out via email, for members of staff to get involved in. But because of the pandemic I don't think sports and social activities are allowed to run as things are being done remotely at present.

Yes

Working for Solent NHS has been an amazing experience as I have never worked in a company which provides a high keel of support for their staff. The team I work with are always understanding and willing to help if there are any issues. They provide many working opportunities to get involved with making them a great place to work for.

I would explain how to fill in the online application as it requires some detail when answering the questions. If a person gets offered an interview I would let them know it is with more than one person, and talk through some of the questions asked. Remember to do some background research into Solent and to say the HEART values whilst in the interview.