Biomedical scientist Uthman Adesina explains how taking on an apprentice not only improved management and leadership skills, but also boosted staff morale.
While I was working at Addenbrooke’s Tissue Typing Laboratory, an exciting prospect came up – the chance to extend our training opportunities to include an apprentice.
It came from Essex University, with who we already have an established relationship to support their undergraduate students through the completion of the IBMS Certificate of Competence.
The decision to employ an apprentice has brought a number of benefits, some anticipated and others not. It also provided a development opportunity for myself and other members of staff in the form of mentoring and devising work schedules for the apprentice.
Following initial training, I served as our apprentice’s first point of call, which meant having to have a good understanding and knowledge of the tasks performed in the laboratory. The aim behind giving us this responsibility was to develop our laboratory, management and leadership skills in preparation for a Band 7 Scientist role in the laboratory. The unforeseen benefit was the increase in staff morale.
Our apprentice was provided with the opportunity to complete a structured training programme, while gaining experience in the laboratory. He had a bespoke job role based on tasks from Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant competencies and had defined study times built in to his working week.
This enabled him to study for an NVQ and a basic study skills course. Though requiring supervision, our apprentice was able to undertake delegated responsibilities and became a valued member of our team. We learned that it was important to manage our expectations of our young and inexperienced apprentice, so as not to put unnecessary pressure on him
that could be counter-productive.
Devising a work schedule was challenging, as we needed to interpret and understand the competencies from the NVQ and then find duties and activities within the laboratory that fulfi lled them. It was also very important to try and minimise the impact his training would have on routine laboratory work, as most of his work was based around the initial preparation of samples for assays to be performed subsequently by qualified staff.
As soon as our apprentice passed the necessary competencies, his contribution was well and truly felt. It reduced pressure on the other team members, as minimal supervision was required.
The aim upon successful completion of this programme is that apprentice will have enough skills and qualifications to take up a role as a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant. On a personal level, it has been a fantastic opportunity for me to be involved in such a rewarding programme.
It enabled me to develop a better understanding of apprenticeships. I was able to hone my leadership and managerial skills, which I now use in my role as an Advance Biomedical Scientist at NHS Blood and Transfusion Tooting.