UWTSD digital degree helps apprentice transform patient health care
Newly promoted Knowledge and Content Manager Samantha John is using skills from her Digital Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to help shape and transform health care for patients.
Samantha, who works for Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), says she has experienced first-hand the impact that information services can have on patient care.
She said: “When I decided to enrol as a digital degree apprentice my main aim was to gain new knowledge in a field that interested me and improve my general level of education so that I could further my career.
“However, after just a short time on the course I realised that my aims had changed, I have worked for the National Health Service (NHS) for a number of years and have experienced first-hand the impact information systems can have on patient care. I realised the skills and knowledge I was gaining through the course could help shape and transform the services we provided to patients accessing the NHS.”
Samantha said having a young family to provide for meant she wasn’t able to become a full-time student. “However, the ability to study remotely on a part-time basis whilst continuing to work has made further education possible for me,” she added.
“Although I had already started on the further education learning path in my previous role, I chose to transfer to UWTSD when I joined Digital Health and Care Wales. I felt it would give me the opportunity to connect with other students in a similar situation to myself. The support network UWTSD has offered me since transferring has really helped me to get the best from my studies.”
Samantha said one of the many highlights of the course has been the interactive sessions offered during many of the modules.
“During the networking and advanced software development modules there was an opportunity to engage in practical sessions with the support of a lecturer,” she said. “Each session was designed to build on the taught sessions, giving you a better understand of how to implement a range of software. Personally, I found these sessions to be a great benefit as I am a visual learner.”
Samantha said that while she has faced some challenges during her studies, she has been fortunate to have an excellent support network within DHCW as well as the digital degree support staff at UWTSD and her family.
She said: “This support has helped me overcome these challenges. For me, the biggest challenge has been juggling my time; having a young family and taking on a full-time job has meant that I have to plan my time very carefully to ensure I have a work, study, and life balance.
“Although there are times where I have felt a little overwhelmed my colleagues and liaison officer have always encouraged me to get through the tough times and reap the rewards at the end.”
Samantha said she would recommend the course to those keen to develop their skills, enhance their knowledge and progress their career.
“Although from the outside this course seems to focus on technical skills and knowledge, I feel I have developed many other skills that I can transfer and use in my role, such as report and language writing skills,” she added.
Samantha, who will graduate next summer also credited UWTSD with helping her to secure a new role within the Service Desk.
“I hope I will have the opportunity to utilise many of my newly gained skills and have a positive impact on the service we provide to our customers and patients accessing the NHS,” she said.
“The digital apprenticeship degree has provided me with so many opportunities for me in terms of my career. It has given me the confidence to apply for new roles within the NHS and taught me many new skills. I also feel that this course has improved my confidence on a personal level.”
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071