I started my Speech & Language Therapy Assistant role in 2021. With encouragement from the SALT team. In 2022 I applied to UWL (University of West London) to complete the first two years of the apprenticeship which is Health Assistant Practitioner.
I am currently in year two of the apprenticeship and have gained so many skills that will benefit not only my role but will be able to support the wider MDT as it has a lot of emphasis on nursing and understanding the relationships between the different roles on the wards. I have gained more knowledge on communication, pathophysiology, anatomy and developing the role of an Assistant Practitioner.
I love that I can put what I have learnt each week to practice and learn not only from university but the incredible team I work with. It is so rewarding being able to support patients with communication and swallow difficulties through therapy and social interaction and to give them the time to talk.
My advice to people is that if you’re thinking about doing an apprenticeship then the trust is incredibly supportive and the opportunities as an apprentice are amazing. I feel very grateful to be offered a place and to be able to promote apprenticeships and the experience I have gained so far.
