Highlighting Our Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeships
By Sam Moore
Dynamic Training is a specialist in apprenticeships, adult education, and custom training solutions. We serve a diverse clientele across multiple sectors, with a notable emphasis on the health and care industry. One of our most successful apprenticeship programmes is the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship, a level 3 programme aimed at healthcare staff with various pathways covering a wide variety of specialist areas.
Below is a summary of each of these programmes, who they are aimed at, and what past apprentices have had to say about them. If you would like to hear more about these programmes, please check out our apprenticeship programmes or get in touch with us to discuss further.
This article is part of our series of Apprenticeship Showcases. Dynamic Training, as an apprenticeship and bespoke training specialist, are passionate about discussing organisations embracing a learning culture and exploring the benefits of developing staff. To follow this series, view our blog or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Our Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a full-time job which also provides training during working hours and is perfect for both new starters and existing staff. Apprenticeships offer the apprentice an opportunity to develop in their job role, and help employers to upskill their workforce. There are currently over 600 apprenticeship roles approved for delivery.
The Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship is aimed at healthcare support workers who are looking to take the next step in their careers. With multiple pathways, this apprenticeship has a variety of specialist areas. Each pathway lasts for 21 months in total, and rewards the apprentice with a diploma as well as new knowledge and skills to take into their workplace.
There are seven pathways to the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship;
- Maternity Support
- Theatre Support
- Allied Health Support
- Children and Young People Support
- Mental Health Support
- Adult Nursing Support
- Diagnostic Imaging Support
What Apprentices Achieve From The Apprenticeship
Regardless of the apprentice's pathway, they will achieve the following from their apprenticeship.
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship – Pass or Distinction
- Level 2 English and maths (if not exempt)
- Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
The Apprenticeship Process
- Apprentices are allocated a Dynamic Training Skills & Development Coach who will support and guide them for the duration of their apprenticeship
- The apprenticeship programme will be delivered as blended learning, which consists of both online and face to face delivery
- Apprentices need to have good internet access and a suitable device such as a laptop, or tablet to work on
- Microsoft Teams is used for coaching sessions (one-to-one) and for taught sessions (group)
- During your apprenticeship programme, apprentices participate in training, development and ongoing review activities which include:
- Induction (specific to the apprentices’ workplace)
- Taught training sessions
- Internal continuous professional development
- Mentoring/buddy support
- Completion of a portfolio of evidence
- Tripartite progress reviews with the line manager/mentor and the assigned Dynamic Training Skills and Development Coach
Functional Skills
Functional Skills in English and maths form the cornerstone of all our apprenticeship programmes, providing learners with the essential literacy and numeracy skills required for workplace success. Recognising that some apprentices may need additional support in these areas, we offer dedicated functional skills support sessions.
To further reinforce learners understanding and proficiency, we host comprehensive revision sessions every Friday. These sessions are not only supportive but integral in ensuring our apprentices are well-equipped with the fundamental skills necessary for their development.
For a deeper insight into how these functional skills sessions can benefit your team, we invite line managers to join our information sessions where we'll cover the structure, benefits, and outcomes of this essential component of our apprenticeship programmes.
End Point Assessment
To achieve the apprenticeship, at the end of the programme, apprentices will complete the End Point Assessment (EPA), which provides apprentices with the opportunity to demonstrate their competency within their role and to showcase the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they have gained. EPA is undertaken by an Independent Assessment Organisation who is responsible for the grading of the apprenticeship of either Fail, Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
The apprenticeship programme has been designed to equip the apprentice with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to make an impact in the workplace and support individual career progression.
Find out more about apprenticeships and answer your questions by exploring our comprehensive explanation of apprenticeships.
The Senior Healthcare Support Worker Pathways
Below is a breakdown of the various pathways of the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship.
The Maternity Support pathway offers a specialised pathway for those who aspire to support individuals and their families during one of the most significant times in their lives. This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who provide empathetic and effective support to pregnant individuals, mothers, and newborns. Working under the guidance of registered midwives, apprentices will engage in a range of care responsibilities, from antenatal support right through to postnatal care, ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and child.
This apprenticeship is crafted to empower apprentices with the skills necessary to assist with childbirth, provide essential postnatal care, and support new parents in caring for their infants; fostering confidence and bonding. The programme ensures that apprentices are well-prepared to make a significant contribution to maternity care, enhancing the experiences of families during this transformative time. Through hands-on experience and expert-led training, apprentices will emerge as confident and compassionate maternity support workers, ready to make a positive impact in healthcare settings.
The Theatre Support Worker pathway offers a specialised route for current healthcare professionals to advance their capabilities in the critical area of surgical support. Apprentices will be instrumental in delivering comprehensive patient care throughout the surgical journey, benefiting from the guidance and expertise of seasoned theatre nurses and operating department practitioners.
Our apprenticeship is meticulously designed to build upon the staff's existing skills, empowering them to assist in intricate surgical procedures and aid in patient recuperation with greater assurance and skill. The curriculum delves into the nuanced technicalities of theatre operations while equally emphasising the development of interpersonal skills vital for empathetic patient interactions and collaborative team dynamics.
The Allied Health Profession Therapy Support apprenticeship is a specialised programme aimed at staff within healthcare settings who are looking to enhance their capabilities in providing therapeutic support under the guidance of registered Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). This varied role covering clinical and therapeutic responsibilities that adapt to the unique needs of individuals facing illness, disability, or changes in life circumstances. The role is instrumental in helping people adapt and manage their conditions, whether through direct intervention or by educating and training carers and families.
Within the framework of the twelve recognised AHP professions, this apprenticeship focuses on developing skills primarily in therapeutic areas such as dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, or speech and language therapy. By pursuing this apprenticeship, staff members will not only deepen their clinical expertise but also broaden their impact by learning to support patients in innovative and rehabilitative ways, thereby enhancing their career trajectory within the healthcare sector.
The Children and Young People Support Pathway Apprenticeship is an advanced training programme tailored for current healthcare staff who are committed to specialising in paediatric care. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to refine apprentices’ skills in nurturing and supporting the health needs of neonates, infants, children, and young people across various settings. Under the mentorship of registered healthcare practitioners; typically registered nurses, apprentices will learn to deliver person and family-cantered care, ensuring that the young patients' well-being is at the forefront of the apprentices’ practice.
The programme is designed to enrich the apprentices understanding of paediatric healthcare needs and enhance their ability to support the developmental stages of younger patients. Apprentices will expand their professional skill set and contribute significantly to the holistic care and support of children and young people, paving the way for a rewarding career path in this vital healthcare sector.
The Mental Health Support Worker role is pivotal in supporting registered practitioners across environments such as hospitals, community centres, residential homes, and specialised facilities like hospices or prisons. Committed to the field of mental health, aiming to support individuals through various stages of their mental health journey, including treatment, management, and recovery.
This programme is designed to equip Senior Healthcare Support Workers specialising in mental health with the skills and knowledge required to excel in this demanding yet rewarding field. By fostering a deep understanding of mental health issues and recovery processes, our apprentices will be empowered to make a profound impact on the lives of those they serve, while also enhancing their own career prospects in the healthcare sector.
The Adult Nursing Support Pathway provides an immersive learning experience for those who are eager to deliver exceptional care to adults across a variety of settings, including community-based environments and hospitals. Under the supervision of registered nurses, apprentices will gain valuable hands-on experience in managing diverse patient needs, from acute injuries to chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia, depression, stroke, or arthritis.
The programme recognises that many adults may live with multiple health issues simultaneously, and the training is structured to prepare workers to address these complex care requirements with sensitivity and skill. By participating in this apprenticeship, healthcare staff will not only elevate their clinical competencies but also enhance their capacity for compassionate care, positioning themselves for career progression within the adult nursing sector.
The Digital Imaging Support aimed at those who are integral to patient care in a clinical setting. This apprenticeship equips individuals with the essential skills to conduct imaging procedures with an unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and patient well-being. Apprentices will learn to navigate the complexities of imaging equipment, differentiate between types of radiation for safe application, and ensure that patient care is optimised through meticulous procedural adherence.
Apprentices will benefit from an enriched learning environment that emphasizes practical skills, critical thinking, and a patient-centred approach. The outcome is a well-rounded healthcare support worker proficient in both the technical and compassionate aspects of patient imaging support, ready to take on enhanced roles and contribute to improved patient outcomes within their healthcare role.
Past Feedback From Our Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprentices
"I have learned many skills that I use in my daily job. I am a far better member of the team now with lots of extra knowledge.
I am overjoyed at completing this apprenticeship at age 48! It was hard becoming a learner again but i really enjoyed it. I would be happy to complete more courses."
Vanessa Copley - Gloucestershire NHS Trust
"This apprenticeship has impacted my day to day work as I now have more confidence and extended knowledge in some areas. This helps me complete my job confidently and efficiently."
Sophie Hall - Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
"As a result of my apprenticeship, I have gained an understanding of the importance of effective communication when working in a team and in liaising between different disciplines. In addition, I learned the importance of professionalism and its impact on the quality of care I provide. Additionally, I have acquired the knowledge and values necessary to ensure that patients' rights and dignity are respected and protected. Furthermore, I have obtained new skills related to patient care, such as assessing patient needs and monitoring patient progress. This experience has prepared me for pursuing a nursing associate degree."
Maria Escares - Ealing NHS Trust
"They are just brilliant! Very organised, know how to help individuals and groups, make the training simple but enjoyable, made the apprenticeship a joy to complete, not a chore."
Bethany Green - Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust
"The apprenticeship has given me the confidence and provided me with studying skills so I would be confident in undertaking further studying
I would absolutely recommend Dynamic and apprenticeships to someone who was thinking of starting an apprenticeship. The way Dynamic offer support and guidance and how the session and work books are offered is very efficent."
Chrissie Ellis - Southern Health NHS Trust
"I feel more confident in what I am doing. Understanding of NHS standards and policies. Putting into practice the mental health support and practising a strong duty of care with a person centred approach."
Holly Nicholls - Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust
An Interview With Our Maternity Team
Dynamic Training would love to discuss this apprenticeship programme with you. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about the senior healthcare support worker apprenticeship programme, or any other programme we offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts in the Learning At Work series, where we delve deeper into how organisations can take that next step by embracing further development from within. To keep up to date with upcoming blogs and industry developments, follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
All of the Apprenticeships and Workshops we offer are purpose-built with accessibility and inclusion in mind. You can view our courses or contact us to find out more about how we can empower you or your workforce with apprenticeships or training programmes.
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