An apprenticeship could be a good option for people looking for a career in community healthcare

A healthcare professional takes a person's blood pressure — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) is inviting those in Barnet looking for a way into a career in community healthcare to consider apply to become an apprentice.

Since apprenticeships were introduced at in 2018 CLCH has delivered more than 250, helping many people to start and develop their careers in community healthcare.

While apprentices follow a similar pattern of study to university students, they spend most of their time in the department in which they work. CLCH runs apprenticeships in nursing, allied health professions (AHPs) and non-clinical roles. The programme offers the apprentice the opportunity to ‘earn as they learn’.

CLCH is supporting the expansion of opportunities and alternative routes into healthcare as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce plan, increasing the number of registered nurses and Allied Health Professionals qualifying through apprenticeship routes. Following the start of the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at CLCH in 2021, 18 nurses have now completed, taking up registered roles at CLCH.

The programme has attracted interest from existing staff, school leavers and external candidates who longed for a career change. Apprentices can develop their careers and attain qualifications at a number of different levels ranging from Level 2 (GCSE and Functional Skills Level 2) to Level 7 (master’s or post graduate level).

Olasubomi Oworu is an apprentice nurse in Barnet, in the final stages of her apprenticeship before becoming registered in the profession. Olasubomi was working as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA), before her manager encouraged her to take on this development opportunity.

“The apprenticeship allows me to earn while I learn. I gain real work experience and can progress my career, building strong professional relationships.

“Working in the community means I can continue to work with GPs, social services, hospitals and other healthcare staff to provide services tailored to meet patients’ individual needs.”

Zoe Picksley is now in her first year as an Apprentice Nursing Associate in Finchley after working as a Healthcare Assistant for two years in a nursing home.

“While I thought about getting a degree via university, I couldn’t manage the thought of moving away from home and not having an income. After looking into an apprenticeship online, it looked like a good route into nursing as it allowed me to still earn whilst learning.

“Working in the community I have already experienced a variety of opportunities like learning to administer injections and care for wounds. There’s also that great balance of working within a team whilst being independent.”

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