Derriford Apprentices shortlisted for regional awards
Two of our apprentices will find out next week if they have won awards at this year’s South West Region Health Sector Apprenticeship Awards 2015.
Chantelle Lea, who works in the Pathology Department, has been shortlisted for the Higher Apprentice of the Year Award (Level 4+) and Abby Morgan, who works in the Communications Office, has been shortlisted for the NHS Inspirational Apprentice Award.
Chantelle started work at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, aged 17, in August 2010 and has completed a level 2 and 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration. Chantelle is now undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship and completing a Technical Certificate. She has recently re-redesigned the profile of the Clinical Biochemistry outpatient clinic. Working with one of the Consultant Pathologists, together they amended the appointment times to enable more patients to be seen within nine weeks. The national standard is to be seen within 18 weeks.
Chantelle was nominated by her manager, Kelly Haynes-Brown for being a very conscientious member of the team, with a positive attitude and for her willingness to help others out.
Kelly said: “Chantelle is an asset to the pathology department. She has shown such determination with her studies in her own time and applies these new skills and learning techniques to her day-to-day role in the Derriford Combined Labs.
“Chantelle has also demonstrated leadership qualities in helping more junior apprentices who are working in Pathology and other areas of the hospital. Having gone through the challenges they now face, she is able to impart her knowledge and offer them advice and guidance when required.”
Chantelle was also nominated by Learn Direct assessor, Stuart Drayton, who commended Chantelle for her commitment to her apprenticeship. He said: “Chantelle has become more assertive and confident both personally and professionally and has achieved a new skill base, which she’s putting into practice.
Chantelle said: “I am thrilled to be shortlisted for the South West Region Health Sector Apprenticeship Awards 2015 having been recognised for my hard work.”
Abby joined the Communications Team in July 2014 and is currently working towards the completion of her level 2 apprenticeship. Since joining the team, Abby’s role has been wide-ranging, from providing administrative support to promoting the care our patients receive and the work our staff do.
In the nomination, Abby’s manager Brydie Bruce wrote: “This is the first time the team has been able to offer up a position like this and it would be fair to say that Abby has grasped this opportunity with both hands. By the end of her first week, Abby had not only written her first news release but she had uploaded it to the Trust’s website, sent it out to local media contacts and shared via our social media pages.
This led to subsequent media coverage in a local newspaper and an online news website.
“Following her first news release, Abby has exceeded expectations – in six months she has published more than 50 news releases, the majority achieving coverage in local media. This involved interviewing staff and patients, taking photos, writing the story, uploading to the Trust website and sharing with media.”
The nomination also highlighted the eight videos produced by Abby, as part of the Trust’s seasonal flu campaign. This involved following a story board created with the Communications Manager, filming members of staff and editing the final videos, these videos were shared via the Trust’s website, with the media and on our social media pages. The videos have been recognised by NHS Employers/Flu Fighters and have been viewed more than 1,600 times.
Abby said: “I thoroughly enjoy my job and believe it has improved my confidence in many different ways. Before I started the apprenticeship, it was always something I wanted to do but wasn’t sure how to get into it. No one day is ever the same in our office, which I find exciting and this role has already given me opportunities that I never thought I would have.
“I am over the moon to have been shortlisted for this award and looking forward to attending the award ceremony.”
Mandy Johnson, Learning and Development Trainer at Plymouth Hospitals, added: “It is heart-warming to see the success stories of apprentices developing and adding value to their working environments, with the real commitment, flexibility, enthusiasm and talents that they bring and so many securing employment and climbing the career ladder. Also recognising the real opportunity that mentors provide in encouraging young people to meet their best potential. It is great to see two of our apprentices being recognised at the regional apprenticeship awards, where we wish them every success.”
Chantelle and Abby will now attend an awards ceremony on Monday 9 March at the Holiday Inn, Taunton in to find out whether they have won.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust please contact Mandy Johnson, Learning and Development Trainer on 01752 437140.
