Two aspiring NHS radiographers have shared their stories after a Teesside health trust supported them to fulfil their career ambitions.
Salma Sajad and Abigail Muir both already worked in the radiology department at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust before starting apprenticeships.
Both have been able to continue working within the service while carrying out their studies.
For working mother Salma, she gained a role working as a healthcare support worker before hearing about further opportunities.
Speaking from the trust’s new community diagnostic centre in Stockton town centre, she said: “My background is in healthcare – I originally joined the trust because I wanted to help more patients.
“It was a year into my time here that I heard about this apprenticeship. It’s something, as a single mum, I couldn’t have afforded to do.
“I am now in the second year and enjoying the challenge and the experience. My mentor and the team here have also been so supportive.”
On the job experience
Once both have completed the three-year degree at Teesside University, they will be qualified diagnostic radiographers – allowing them to earn while they learn as well as gain on-the-job training and experience.
For Abigail, she first joined the service three years ago in an office admin role before hearing about the apprenticeship.
Abigail, who already has a degree in physiology and is now two years into the apprenticeship, said: “I wanted some experience working in a healthcare setting.
“I had been considering going back to university to study, before then hearing about this opportunity.
“We are already part of the team and they have been here for us when we have needed them.
“We are learning more on-the-job and feel more ready for the job than we may have done.”
Salma added: “Because of this support, we also feel so loyal to the organisation – we have so much to thank them for.”
Recruiting from within
Speaking about working with apprentices like Salma and Abigail, advanced practitioner Joe Wistow said: “The apprenticeship scheme has been really successful – we have been able to train our own staff into highly-qualified radiographers from within the department.
“Staff in Radiology have enjoyed helping support their own team members, training our own and enhancing the fantastic service we provide for our patients.”