Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I started my career in the NHS in 2005 as a Data Input Officer under Health Solutions Wales (HSW) before accepting a position as an Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Support Officer within Velindre NHS Trust on an initial secondment, being made permanent in 2010. After seven years in the role, I moved to the MPI (Master Patient Index) team in 2016.
I have managed to progress based on my knowledge, skills and experience over the past 17 years, but I wanted to attain the required qualifications and training to improve my skillset within my team and be able to progress. I also wanted to be more adaptable to change, within both my team and DHCW.
What does your job entail? How does it work with the apprenticeship/your studies?
My role involves the resolution of demographic data queries, investigation and resolution of any messaging and technical issues, creation and testing of new source codes for messaging and querying and the creation of numerous working instructions.
My team have been able to support me with my apprenticeship by involving me with more complex queries and requests.
Why do you like working at DHCW?
I enjoy working at DHCW as I feel we are an integral part of NHS Wales.
Although we are not providing patient care directly, we provide the digital infrastructure and systems for frontline staff to use, effectively providing background support for those staff to ensure high quality patient care is always achieved.
I feel that my role within DHCW makes a difference as the data quality of patient demographics is of utmost importance.
There are a wide range of developmental options for me and others to achieve their goals within DHCW.
Stephen is a Support and Business Analyst within the Master Patient Index (MPI) team, as part of the demographics team and the Integration and Reference (IRAT) department.