Developing you
As a recently named Teaching Hospital, we're proud that our culture of learning and development is embedded throughout the trust. Our experienced teams deliver high quality teaching and training across the workforce.
Development opportunities
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Development programmes: The development of our workforce is of the upmost importance, as it's not only central for individuals personal career aspirations, but it's also crucial in delivering safe, high-quality services to our patients.
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We're committed to offering learning and development opportunities for all employees. Our staff apprenticeship programme offers individuals the chance to upgrade their skills and gain qualifications, whilst still working in post.
You'll have access to apprenticeships from level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades A*) right through to level 7 (equivalent to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree). Find out more about our apprenticeship offering.
We also offer our staff the opportunity to complete numeracy and literacy courses, to support their career aspirations. - Leadership programmes: We offer six different leadership and management courses to our staff, depending on the level required. Our ‘Launchpad’ course is perfect for new supervisors and junior colleagues looking to advance their leadership skills, meanwhile our ‘Rise’ course caters to our current and aspiring senior leaders and managers.
- Preceptorship: All of our newly registered band 5 practitioners are placed on the Preceptorship programme. The programme is multi-disciplinary with nurses, midwives, therapists, biomedical scientists and more. It supports newly registered staff to incorporate both management and leadership knowledge and skills into their practice. It also allows new registrants to build a network of support and knowledge both across the trust and across disciplines; giving you the tools needed to progress your career. Find out more about our nursing development opportunities.
- Continuing professional development: Personal development is important to us. Our organisation-wide appraisal process helps to ensure that all staff are supported to achieve their goals.
- Online courses: We have over 300 online courses available for staff to develop their skills and knowledge.
- Coaching and mentoring: We have a network of trained coaches available to help staff of all disciplines achieve their development goals. Mentoring opportunities are also available within the trust and externally across the East of England.
Simulation suite
We have a state-of-the-art simulation suite in our medical education centre at Watford General. Two fully-equipped bays with high fidelity simulation manikins allow us to recreate a wide range of medical conditions and trauma scenarios.
This allows staff to practice with hands-on learning while experiencing situations in a safe environment.
The control room includes an audio-visual recording system to facilitate both real-time observation of simulations as well as a video-aided debrief.
> More about our simulation suite
Library
We have libraries on each of our hospital sites that provide access to the latest industry publications and reference books.
Our libraries are also an ideal study environment, with staff on hand to support you with advice and guidance on finding information, evidence and publications.