Meet our AHPs

The Whittington Family
When I was interviewed by the service and line manager, I got the feeling that it was like a family here and that not only did professional qualifications count, but how you would fit in to the team did, too. I’ve noticed the dynamics of our teams is good and I can see that has a positive impact on patient care.

 

Progressing from Student to Professional
Despite having clinical placement experience as a student, as a newly qualified dietitian I still felt like a student! I was given extra time during the first weeks to get used to the role and didn’t have a full clinical caseload. I shadowed my more senior colleagues for four weeks and only gradually did the pace step up - that was incredibly reassuring. I learnt how the department works and was given time to go through the IT systems and shared drive.

 

My clinical experience here has been great. At university you only cover the theory and when you deal with patients in different conditions, you need so much more than you find in a textbook! I always feel I can ask more experienced colleagues about complex needs, which has helped with my learning considerably.

 

The AHP Preceptorship programme has given me time to spend on research into health conditions, case studies and reflection time. I’ve had monthly one-to-ones with my line manager and weekly Wednesday morning CPD time. On Wednesday afternoons I deliver an online weight management group consultation with my colleague, and I’ve learnt how effective and efficient this can be.

 

I have a good mix of being office-based and working in people’s homes and nursing homes. We also hold virtual clinics. Whether it’s face-to-face or virtually, I’ve enjoyed developing the ability to look at a person as a whole in a consultation and make good clinical judgements. We see a huge range of clients from all walks of life. It can be challenging sometimes but our home visiting is efficiently organised, and we have a lot of support. Having iPads and being able to access patient records while you are with them and do the notes there and then is good.

I enjoy managing my own caseload and having the freedom to fit in patients as I feel appropriate. I can work from home on admin if I want and have autonomy, which I really value.