Operations Lead Review

Operations Lead for two units - overseeing day to day management of the services. Problem solving, managing staff, part of the management team at both units. Overall management of the admin teams. Responsible for HR issues, Clinical Systems issues, Recruitment. Liase with other stakeholders in the area to improve services and provide people in Luton with a comprehensive service.

During my apprenticeship I learnt many new skills such as organisational skills, communication skills, basic management skills and models to use in my day to day role. I also learnt about coaching staff, project management skills and delivering presentations. My apprenticeship also built my confidence to take on a new role and new challenges.

I enjoyed the many workshops that I attended which were delivered by The Learning Enterprise, these were interactive and informative. Support from my assessors was excellent and helped me to complete my apprenticeship through Covid which was a difficult time for a healthcare team but the course gave me skills to cope.

Programme was very well structured, I worked through modules and had professional discussions with my assessor to re-enforce the knowledge gained. During Covid it was difficult to take the 20% of the job study time due to the pressures on the team but I made up this time later in the programme.

Employers were very supportive, they allowed me to shadow them/gave advice on certain situations and provided me with witness statements as extra proof of my ability to cope in different situations. They allowed me to make up the time lost due to the pandemic closer to the end of the apprenticeship when I was going through End point assessment.

Training provider was always available to talk through issues, check my portfolio and encourage us to do the best work. My main assessor was excellent support, she talked me through the modules and helped give me a greater understanding of what was expected of me and empowered me to submit my best work.

The apprenticeship has given me the confidence to step up to the managers role to cover my manager when she was on maternity leave. I have since been promoted again to Operations Lead which is allowing me to use my new found knowledge and skills on a day to day basis.

There isn't any extra curricular activities at my work place recently due to social distancing but we have arranged several teams meeting celebrations to keep in touch with each other and maintain the sense of team. I also link in with other teams for joint working and I am able to communicate with these teams outside of work also.

Yes

HCRG Care Group are a supportive company to work with, they keep us up to date with regular communications from the Executive Team. They supply the tools that we need to work with and encourage us to look after our well being inside and outside of work. HCRG are a forward thinking organisation that is always developing.

Others applying to HCRG I would encourage them to sell themselves at interview. I would also suggest a comprehensive CV/application form to make themselves stand out from the crowd by using 'buzz words'. Also if I knew someone due to interview I would give them some interview coaching to support them.