Apprenticeship success for Lucy

Congratulations to Lucy Mills, who joined the Trust almost five years ago as an assistant audiologist and who has now successfully completed an apprenticeship to become the Trust’s first home-grown audiologist.

Audiologists test the hearing of a variety of patients, new, ear, nose and throat, emergency and current. They look at their rehabilitation and council them to deal with the loss of hearing. In addition they fit hearing aids and do any adjustments that may be necessary to allow the patient to have a better quality of life.

Lucy’s brother was born deaf in one ear so her interest in audiology had been sparked at an early age and she had always wanted to progress her career. Prior to joining the Trust she had worked in an opticians and trained as a hearing care assistant.

Apprentice Audiologist Lucy wears a pink hospital tunic

Lucy said: “Joining the Trust as an assistant audiologist saw me repairing and assisting with hearing aids and helping with admin based duties.”

After a few months of working in the Trust she was approached to do an apprenticeship to become a full audiologist. This entailed going to university to do a theory and practical based BSc in Healthcare Science and Audiology.

Lucy added: “The degree I choose to do was a five year one but I was able to compress it and complete it in four years. It was very challenging as I had some health complications during this time plus we had the covid pandemic too. But the support of my university and department was amazing and allowed me to continue my studies and complete them a year earlier than expected with a 2:1 degree.

“I know without the support of my department, which was incredible, I would not have been able to get as far as I have. I knew that no matter what I needed they would support me in any way possible and I really can’t thank them enough.”

Lucy’s goal is to continue to train up to become a senior audiologist specialising in advanced testing.

Lucy concluded: “I would recommend doing an apprenticeship highly. It gives you the theory and practical knowledge you need along with working within the profession to develop your skills and knowledge as you learn.”

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