Page 23 - Community Health magazine - issue 38

Immersive learning:
Using new technologies
in training practice will
help improve patient
care in the community.

Julie said: “We can run scenarios to Boosting career prospects
make things as realistic as possible,
giving colleagues the chance to develop
their critical thinking, assessment Young people aged 16 to 18 studying enjoyable work placements to help back
and team building skills to problem- for T-Levels in Kent could benefit from up learning in the classroom across a
solve a case together. They can walk hands-on experience in the NHS, as range of categories, including business
away feeling confident that if they part of their course. and administration, catering and
encountered that in practice, they KCHFT has partnered with schools hospitality, digital, legal as well as health
would know what to do, resulting in and colleges to provide work experience and science.”
better patient care in the community.” placements for students enrolled on to Canterbury College is one of the local
Suzie Sackey began her four-year T-Level programmes and is encouraging education partners working with KCHFT
registered nurse degree apprenticeship more settings to get in touch. to secure industry placements for their
in February 2023 and said having T-Levels are a new qualification for T-Level students.
access to the simulation technology is a students aged 16 to 19 who have finished Rebecca Starr, Industry Liaison Officer
boost to her confidence when visiting GCSEs. As part of the course, students at Canterbury College, said: “Working
patients in the community. complete 45 days in an industry placement closely with KCHFT, we can offer students
“It gives us real-life scenarios where related to their course. fulfilling work placements, giving them
we can observe changes in breathing, Equivalent to three a-levels and excellent industry experience alongside
heart rate, temperature as well as areas designed by professional bodies, their college studies. Having exposure
of pain, so when we see the warning employers and universities, they are in real work settings can help students
signs of a condition in a patient, we intended to lead young people who study decide which direction they wish to
have the knowledge to deal with it. I’m them in to specific occupations. follow, as well as embedding their
gaining so much confidence as a result,” Verity Barton, KCHFT Widening learning into practice and developing skills
explained Suzie. Participation Lead, said: “T-Level courses are ready for employment.”
20 per cent learning through a placement,
What’s next? so there’s a fantastic opportunity for us If your school or college would like to
Julie said: “The future of simulation and to give young people unique insight to a find out more about work placements at
immersive learning is really exciting and range of NHS job opportunities. KCHFT, get in touch by emailing
we are planning more facilities across our “We’ll be offering rewarding and kentchft.workexperience@nhs.net
community settings in an effort to bring
learning resources to colleagues, rather
than them having to travel elsewhere.” Celebrating our fantastic apprentices

KCHFT’s Clinical Academy supports The achievements of 56 NHS apprentices have been celebrated at a
nursing and allied health professionals colourful graduation event.
across the organisation. To learn about Each apprentice was given a certificate to mark their achievements,
our career opportunities, visit watched by their family, friends and colleagues. Our Chief People Officer
www.kentcht.nhs.uk/careers Victoria Robinson-Collins said: “Apprenticeships are a real success story for
us. I’m delighted we have trained
15 fully-qualified registered
nurses and three nurse associates
through our scheme.
“Our apprentices also
include assistant practitioners,
physiotherapists, dental nurses,
occupational therapists, business
administrators and chartered
managers.”

Michaela Young, Kimberley Sargent and
Boosting confidence: Suzie said being able to Marianne Boniface completed the chartered
practice in the simulation suite gives her a safe manager apprenticeship programme.
space to learn.

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