Katie Mills and Jenny Murfin have recently completed the Level 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner (Degree) apprenticeship. They both work at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in the Audiology Team.
Jenny started at the trust in 2013 and completed a Level 2 apprenticeship. She was Highly Commended in the Health Education England Talent for Care Awards in Intermediate Clinical Apprentice of the Year.
After completing a Level 3 apprenticeship, she then commenced the Level 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner (Degree) apprenticeship in 2016.
Katie started at the trust in 2015 and completed a Level 2 apprenticeship and then completed a Level 3 apprenticeship. She also commenced the Level 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner (Degree) apprenticeship in 2016.
Katie said: “We were so excited that our graduation ceremony was finally here! We felt so proud of what we have achieved over the five years of being at Aston University; we celebrated with family and fellow students on campus. It was such a lovely heart-warming day which we wish we could experience again!
“We’ve really enjoyed gaining more knowledge and experience in Audiology, and also carried out an adult placement at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital which was very beneficial to our learning. At times it was challenging juggling the demand of exams, assignments and practical exams – plus trips to Birmingham to attend lectures every month whilst working – but we had great support from Aston University and Sheffield Children’s Hearing Services which made it possible.”
Part of that support came from Suzanne Carrick, Head of Hearing Services, who was so proud of Katie and Jenny’s journey.
Suzanne said: “Both of them attained high classifications and they’ve developed specialist paediatric skills and knowledge to a higher level than most new graduates have.
“Using apprenticeships to develop new colleagues has been a way of meeting the need created due to a national shortage of audiologists. It has enabled us to develop people who want to work with children and families, and has enabled us to invest in training to progress colleagues from assistant roles to a fully qualified role.”
You can access the Level 6 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship Standard here.