NeuroMuscular Centre - Physiotherapist degree apprenticeship
We are proud to be one of the leading providers of physiotherapy education in the UK, ranking first place overall in the North West (The Guardian) and first in England for ‘Teaching’ and ‘Student Experience’ (The Times). Hear from Paul, Head of Physiotherapy at the NeuroMuscular Centre, about how the Physiotherapist degree apprenticeship has strengthened his team and the organisation.
Why did you choose to support apprenticeships at the NeuroMuscular Centre?
I became the Head of Physiotherapy a couple of years ago and my role is to get the best out of the team and support them in the best way I can so that our clients get the best care. I didn’t know about the apprenticeship previously, but I had a review with a member of my team and they expressed that they wanted to develop in their career. The apprenticeship would allow them to flip their previous Sports Therapy degree into being a Physiotherapist so that they could get more hands-on and deal with more complex cases, while still working full-time here at the NeuroMuscular Centre.
The apprenticeship gives me a really good opportunity to develop the team, knowing that they understand the Centre. Students on placement either fit into the organisation or they don't. When we find one that understands that we’re about enhancing the quality of life for our clientele - whether it's the simplest thing of reaching the tea bags out the cupboard, stepping out of a shower – we want to be able to keep those students who understand our purpose as part of the team and give them a pathway to progress within the organisation if that’s what they want.
Now, our apprentices are a massive part of our team so it’s worth it for me to allow the apprenticeship to take place and free up that time. It’s worthwhile because at the end of four years I'll have very well qualified Physiotherapists with a massive amount of knowledge and experience. Whereas if I took on a student, there's a lot of development that needs to take place over two or three years just to bring them up to knowledge base.
How have you seen your apprentice develop over the course of their studies?
Our apprentice has really developed in his confidence and, although he had a Sports Therapy degree and a lot of knowledge prior, the course has only enhanced that for him. Now, if anyone comes in with an issue, he’s happy to assess and feedback. He understands now not only the tests we do and the process, but understands why and how it can impact someone.
Would you recommend apprenticeships at the University of Salford to other organisations?
I definitely would. I think it's a good way of developing your team as they carry out their job role. It's taken a bit of organisation but we're now two years in and it's flowing seamlessly. We're managing well and it gives us excellent quality of staff. I also think that we have a good relationship with all the team that we have dealt with at the University of Salford and the support's been really helpful and not complicated. I know I can just drop an e-mail to the team or highlight anything that’s going on in a meeting and they will contact me back quickly.
