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Victoria Genever joined the Cardiopulmonary Team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in February 2020 as an Apprentice Cardiac Physiologist and she is currently in her first year at University of Wolverhampton where she is completing a three year Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship – BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology). On her experice so far Victoria said:

“I love the variety an Apprenticeship in this role brings. I work three days in the hospital and I do university lectures and seminars twice a week from home (due to COVID-19). This enables me to put into practice, theory I have learnt the week before, which is great for skills acquisition and understanding.  As an apprentice I am able to view more aspects of the cardiology speciality than I would when I am fully qualified, due to the workload. I have been able to join in on a Doctor’s ward round on the Cardiology ward, sit in on a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic and I have even been to Neurophysiology to see their investigations and how our patients may overlap to obtain diagnosis.

“Working in the hospital environment means you need to learn to adapt to new situations and patients quickly. Whether that be by prioritising ECG requests from the wards to helping a poorly patient get comfortable after the procedure.  I think being an apprentice gives you an advantage, because of the specific experience you gain, which cannot be taught. I have learnt lots from university and I really enjoy my lectures, but some things cannot be taught; you need to experience them yourself to learn and understand.

“I started this job only a few weeks before the pandemic caused the first national lockdown. The dramatic change in ways of working was very tough. It was also quite worrying at first just coming into the hospital environment. Working throughout the pandemic, I think this is something every NHS employee should be proud of.

“The balance of working, university and everything else in life sometimes can cause stress. However, I think I have dealt with this very well by being organised. Making sure I take lots of notes during lectures, doing assignments little and often, and ensuring I have enough time to enjoy life outside of work and university have been tactics that are working so far. I have also managed to achieve 3 A’s and a B in my first semester, which I am also very pleased about! Once I have qualified, I would like to specialise, but not sure in which area just yet, I have lots to learn first. I’m currently interested in paediatric cardiology, so I am looking forward to learning more about this area.

“I was 26 when I started the apprenticeship, and I was worried I was too old. But, when I joined the department, all of the other students were actually older than me. I have also met many students across the hospital in their 30’s and 40’s. So do not let your age put you off. I have wanted to be a Cardiac Physiologist since 2015, when I did some work experience at the QE’s cardiology department. However, due to having already completed a BSc and having a mortgage, I was unable to give up work, to go back to university to retrain. This opportunity was too good to ignore. I am gaining the qualifications I need to have my dream career; I am getting paid a full-time wage and I am gaining specific hospital experience. Without the apprenticeship I would not be able to do this course, and have this career. So my advice if you do have the opportunity to do an Apprenticeship is to apply! There is absolutely nothing to lose. You will finish the apprenticeship with qualifications, experience and a job you love.”