At Alliance Medical, we’re dedicated to resourcing the future of diagnostics which is why we’ve been investing in apprenticeship programmes for our teams for 6 years.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we met with a few of our apprentices – both current and those who have graduated - to find out more about their experience.

Samantha

Samantha is an Assistant Practitioner based at our Oldham Community Diagnostic Centre. Prior to joining the team and whilst working for Alliance Medical, she completed a two-year Trainee Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship course. We sat down with Sam to find out about her apprenticeship journey.

How did you find out about the apprenticeship programme at Alliance Medical?

“I found out through my manager! During my PDR (Personal Development Review) I had said that I wanted to progress my career within Alliance Medical, and my manager explained the apprenticeship programme.”

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How did you apply for the apprenticeship?

“Information about joining the course was sent to my manager, and I applied by completing an Expression of Interest form. This was followed by a series of interviews with the Regional Manager, and Claire, Strategic Workforce Partnerships Manager. Finally, I completed a personal statement, as well as academic assessments with the University of Cumbria and received the news that I had been accepted.”

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How long was your apprenticeship?

“My apprenticeship lasted for two years and consisted of time on and off the job to enable academic and clinical learning.”

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What was your apprenticeship journey at Alliance Medical?

“I started my apprenticeship journey with a position at Alliance Medical Fylde Coast Diagnostic Centre, which specialised in providing MRI scans for patients suffering from claustrophobia. I felt this really benefitted me as it provided an insight of a patient’s holistic journey. and it helped me with my written assignments focussed on a patient’s therapeutic journey in a medical environment.

I was involved with the planning and running of the weekly dementia clinic, which gave me a different perspective of the type of patients who were attending the unit. My first major written assignment was focused on the different types of dementia and comparing the diagnostic process in the UK to how it operates in Japan.”

“During my second year of the apprenticeship, I was mainly based at Alliance Medical Wrightington Hospital MRI unit, which has a dedicated Orthopaedic Centre. This helped me learn in detail about anatomy and pathologies.”

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How did Alliance Medical support you throughout your apprenticeship?

“Alliance Medical supported me throughout my journey by allowing me the appropriate study leave to undertake my academic work. I also had monthly catch-up calls to ensure that I was being supported and for me to raise any concerns that I may have. On top of the support from my mentor, my colleagues were also amazing! They were patient and extremely knowledgeable, providing invaluable support during.”

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What was favourite aspect of your apprenticeship?

“My favourite aspect of my apprenticeship has been the online learning. It has been challenging starting my apprenticeship during a pandemic, but online learning has enabled me to be flexible and learn at home.

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What helped you decide which department to join after the conclusion of your apprenticeship?

“A new opportunity came up to move to another department within Alliance Medical, this gave me a chance to work at a brand-new diagnostic centre which specialised in multiple modalities, whilst also working in collaboration with the NHS. This has given me the opportunity to see dynamic imaging as well as more complex cases.”

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What are your career aspirations?

“I want to further my career within Alliance Medical and become a Diagnostic Radiographer!”

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Finally, what is your advice to anyone applying for an apprenticeship?

“My advice would be to go for it! This has been such a great opportunity to learn and work at the same time. I've been so fortunate and lucky to be able to develop a career without having to stop working to attend university full-time.”

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Emma

Emma works as a Trainee Assistant Practitioner on our mobile services in the North of England and is currently preparing to embark on the 2^nd year of her apprenticeship. We spoke to Emma about how she’s been getting on.

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How did you find out about the apprenticeship programme at Alliance Medical?

“I found out via internal communication, which explained about available apprentice opportunities, I was already working for the Alliance Medical as a Clinical Assistant, so this was a great opportunity.”

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How did you apply for the apprenticeship?

“After discovering that I was eligible to apply as I had been with Alliance Medical for around 12 months, I applied straight away to the Assistant Practitioner Apprentice Programme.”

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How long was your apprenticeship?

“The Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship is 2 years long and I am due to start year two in March. Completing the apprenticeship will allow me to go on to complete the 3^rd year of a Radiography degree, after which I’ll become a qualified Radiographer!”

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How did Alliance Medical support you throughout your apprenticeship?

“Alliance Medical has helped support my learning by assigning me a mentor, ensuring that I have appropriate shifts in each modality (MRI and CT) and allowing me to have a university day each week for lectures and self-guided study. We also have regular meetings where we discuss any concerns or issues that we’re facing and put steps in place to resolve them.”

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What is your favourite aspect of your apprenticeship?

“I always did well in school and college but, at the time, further education wasn’t feasible for me. I felt that I missed out or let myself down by not pursuing further education, but my financial commitments meant it was unlikely I’d be able to take time out of work to gain qualifications. Now, through my apprenticeship, I’m able to maintain my salary, continue working in a job that I love whilst developing my skills and attending university – ultimately leading me to a career in Radiography!”

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What are your career aspirations?

“I want to become a Radiographer in CT and MRI. There are so many different areas that a radiographer might find a career in, and I’m excited to explore those, too.”

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Finally, what is your advice to anyone applying for an apprenticeship?

“Go for it! It will be challenging at times, but it’ll be so rewarding to reach your goals and have not just a job but a career. A few years may seem like a long time, but it’s relatively short and completing an apprenticeship can led to so many opportunities, and the possibility of increasing your salary.”

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Yasmin  

Meet Yasmin, a Clinic Lead MRI Radiographer at South Tyneside! Read what she had to say about her Team Leader Level 3 Apprenticeship...

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How did you find about the possibility of an apprenticeship at Alliance Medical?

“I was informed about this opportunity through an email sent by Joanne, the Head of HR at Alliance Medical.”

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How did you apply for the apprenticeship?

“My colleagues and peers at Alliance Medical guided me through application processes that I needed to complete to secure a place on the apprenticeship.”

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How long was your apprenticeship?

“My apprenticeship was 18 months long.”

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How did Alliance Medical support you throughout your apprenticeship?

“I was well-looked after during my apprenticeship. I was given a protected study day away from any admin or clinical duties to allow me to attend tutorials at university. I also had a mentor to support me throughout my apprenticeship!”

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What was your favourite aspect of your apprenticeship?

“I really looked forward to my study day and tutorials.. I also found these days to be beneficial, as they allowed me time to reflect on everyday work practices.”

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What are your career aspirations in the future?

“Management posts – I want to always be progressing within my career.”

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Finally, what is your advice to anyone applying for an apprenticeship?

“It will be challenging, but short-term pain means long-term gain!”

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