Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management Apprenticeship
As a Workplace Mentor for the Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management Apprenticeship, you play a crucial role in developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. This programme is designed to equip Apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to excel.
On this page:
Programme Overview
The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme, developed by the NHS Leadership Academy and offered by the University of Exeter, combines a Level 7 Apprenticeship and MSc programme. Here is what you need to know:
- Duration: 30 Months
- Qualification:
- IfATE Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship
- Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership, leading on to the MSc in Healthcare Leadership (via additional MSc module)
- NHS Leadership Academy Award in Senior Healthcare Leadership (via additional MSc module)
- Professional recognition: upon completion, Apprentices are eligible for Chartered Manager of Chartered Fellow status
The programme targets those in health and social care aspiring to or already in leadership roles, aiming to enhance leadership skills that promote effective, evidence-based practices and a positive culture.
Participants receive excellent support from expert faculty who mentor apprentices throughout the programme to empower them to fully realise their leadership potential.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IfATE) apprenticeship standard which sets out the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours for this programme can be found here.
Key Components
- Academic learning: Designed to enhance leadership capability by focusing on the “golden threads”: Quality of care for patients, service users and carers, equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable improvements to improve care and population health.
- Portfolio Building: The portfolio serves as a collection of evidence demonstrating the apprentice's progress, skills, knowledge, and behaviours acquired throughout the programme.
- Strategic Business Proposal development: The proposal is designed to assess the apprentice’s ability to apply their learning to a real-world strategic challenge within their organisation. It showcases their capability to think and act at a senior leadership level, driving significant business improvements or strategic change
- End-point assessment: includes a presentation and review of their Strategic Business Proposal, as well as a review of the Apprentice's portfolio by discussion.
Meet the Team
At the heart of the Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management Apprenticeship programme is a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting both Mentors and Apprentices throughout their journey. Our team brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for developing future leaders.
Susanne Smith
Email: S.E.V.Smith2@exeter.ac.uk
I am a Senior Lecturer in Healthcare Leadership & Management in the University of Exeter's Faculty of Health & Life Sciences (Education & Scholarship). I have around sixteen years experience teaching at postgraduate level in healthcare and have a particular interest in leading change at a systems-level and equipping students to manage the complexities of real clinical systems to improve safety, patient outcomes and staff well-being.
I started my career in molecular genetics: researching multiple antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations, and I have spent time working in industry in a safety-critical capacity, and also in the NHS as a Research & Development Manager and Clinical Effectiveness Lead.
I am part of the vibrant faculty team for the MSc in Healthcare Leadership & Management and the Senior Leader Apprenticeship (Healthcare) programme. I am both an Academic Tutor for Masters students and an Academic Mentor for some of our Senior Leader apprentices; I'm also Co-Director of the Senior Leader (Healthcare) Programme. I love working with our students and am motivated by the potential for education to transform students’ careers and their workplaces.
Qualifications:
- PhD The evolution of the Tn21 subgroup of bacterial transposons (Faculty of Medicine, University of Bristol)
- BSc (Hons) Microbiology (University of Edinburgh)
- PG Certificate in Clinical Education (University of Plymouth)
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2019)
Su Smith - S.E.V.Smith2@exeter.ac.uk - Read more about Su Here
Our Academic Mentors are dedicated to supporting Apprentices in navigating the apprenticeship components of the Senior Leader in Healthcare Leadership and Management Apprenticeship programme. They play a crucial role in guiding Apprentices through the process of compiling their portfolio of evidence, which showcases their learning and development throughout the programme.
Academic Mentors work closely with Apprentices to ensure that they understand the requirements for their portfolios, helping them to document their experiences, reflect on their learning, and demonstrate the competencies gained in the workplace. By providing ongoing support and feedback, our Academic Mentors empower Apprentices to effectively articulate their achievements and prepare for their end-point assessment (EPA). Their focus on practical application and real-world experiences is essential in helping Apprentices succeed in their management roles.
Academic Mentors
Jane Rowe - J.Rowe7@exeter.ac.uk – find out more about Jane Here
Melinda Martin-Khan - M.Martin-Khan@exeter.ac.uk – find out more about Melinda Here
Nermin Hamza - N.A.M.Hamza@exeter.ac.uk
Molly Batchelor – health.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk – find out more about Molly here
Mollie Brooks – m.brooks3@exeter.ac.uk – find out more about Mollie Here
Your Commitment Matters
Each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that Mentors have the resources and support they need to guide Apprentices effectively. We believe that a strong Mentor-Apprentice relationship is key to the success of the apprenticeship programme, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, or for additional support. Together, we can make a significant impact on the professional growth of our apprentices.
Key Information and Events
Staying informed about important dates and events is crucial for effectively supporting your Apprentice throughout their apprenticeship journey. Below are the key milestones and events for the current academic year. Please note that specific dates may vary slightly for individual Apprentices based on their start date.
Initial Contact and Meeting
Shortly after the Apprentice's induction, the Academic Mentor will contact you as the Workplace Mentor to arrange an initial meeting with you. While this meeting is not compulsory, it is highly recommended as it provides an excellent opportunity to establish a strong foundation for the apprenticeship journey.
This initial meeting allows all parties to:
- Introduce themselves and clarify their roles
- Discuss expectations for the apprenticeship
- Address any initial questions or concerns
- Begin building a collaborative relationship
As a Workplace Mentor, your role in supporting your Apprentice's development is crucial. There may be times when concerns arise about an Apprentice's performance or progress. It's important to address these issues promptly and effectively to ensure the best possible outcome for the Apprentice and the apprenticeship programme.
Recognising Performance Challenges
When an Apprentice is struggling, the Academic Mentor will typically notify you via email as part of the escalation process. This communication will outline the specific concerns regarding the Apprentice's performance, such as:
- Consistently missing deadlines
- Poor quality of work
- Lack of engagement in learning activities
- Failure to meet off-the-job (OTJ) training requirements
- Difficulties in applying learning to workplace tasks
Your Role in Addressing Concerns
Upon receiving notification from the Academic Mentor regarding performance challenges, your first step should be to meet with the Apprentice to discuss the issues raised. Here’s how to approach this:
- Arrange a meeting: schedule a private meeting with your Apprentice to discuss the concerns outlined in the Academic Mentor's email
- Ascertain the problem: use this opportunity to understand the extent of the problem; encourage your Apprentice to share their perspective and any challenges they may be facing
- Explore solutions: collaborate with your Apprentice to identify potential solutions or strategies to address the identified challenges
- Create an action plan: work together to develop a clear, achievable action plan that includes specific goals and timelines for improvement
- Follow up: schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide ongoing support as needed
- Document the process: keep records of your meetings, the agreed-upon actions, and the Apprentice's progress
Seeking Additional Support
If you need clarification or further assistance:
- Consult with the Academic Mentor: if you have questions about the situation or need more information about the apprenticeship requirements, reach out to the Academic Mentor for guidance
- Escalation process: if the performance issues persist despite your interventions, or if you encounter a problem that you feel unable to resolve, inform the Academic Mentor
Preventive Measures
To help prevent performance issues:
- Maintain regular check-ins with your Apprentice, such as weekly or bi-weekly meetings
- Provide timely feedback on their work and progress
- Ensure they have adequate time and resources for their OTJ training
- Encourage open communication about any challenges they're facing
Remember, your primary role in addressing concerns is to support your Apprentice's success in the programme. By taking a proactive, supportive approach and addressing issues early, you can help your Apprentice overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
Past Training Events
The next Workplace Mentor training session is to be confirmed. If you would like to view a video recording of the previous session, please contact Mollie Brooks M.Brooks3@exeter.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to hearing from you!
Susanne Smith
Programme Director
Email: S.E.V.Smith2@exeter.ac.uk
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Melinda Martin-Khan
Email: M.Martin-Khan@exeter.ac.uk
Dr. Melinda Martin-Khan is a health scientist who is focused on leadership in health care services. She lectures on healthcare leadership and innovation to clinical and health care leaders, which includes ethics and sustainable development goals, and the future of global healthcare.
Melinda coordinates a program of work as a global researcher which develops and implements clinical and service (outcome, process and structural) quality indicators in acute care, emergency departments and transition care. Previously, Dr. Martin-Khan has had over 13 years administrative experience as a senior executive (CEO) in aged care health services in Australia. Dr. Martin-Khan is a Fellow of interRAI (a global collaboration of volunteers) and has translated research into practice through the development of a set of outcome quality indicators using the suite of interRAI assessment instruments which is available to hospitals around the world.
Dr. Martin-Khan currently holds a lecturing position in the Exeter Medical School at the University of Exeter. She is also an honorary fellow, both as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Services Research in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Queensland (AUS), and as Adjunct Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Northern British Columbia (CAN).
Mollie Brooks
Email: m.brooks3@exeter.ac.uk
Molly is an Employer Partnership Officer responsible for supporting organisations with onboarding prospective Apprentices from the initial marketing stage through to contracting and providing progress reports. He works closely with the academic and administrative support team to provide employer partners with a smooth apprenticeship experience.
Molly Batchelor
Email: health.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk
Molly is responsible for providing administrative support and resources to both Mentors and Apprentices. She ensures that all necessary documentation is in place and assists with any logistical concerns related to this apprenticeship programme.
