News: Practice staff achieve with RCAT

A celebration event was held recently to recognise the achievements of sixteen reception and administration staff at Dinnington Group Practice.

The staff have been working hard over the last year in order to achieve qualifications in Business Administration and Team Leading at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT).

The training was undertaken to support staff members progression, some of whom have already completed Level 1 qualifications in customer service and IT, in order to enhance their skills in the work place. Business Administration NVQ's were chosen as they supported organisational and communication skills. Team Leading NVQ's looked to provide support and structured training for existing senior receptionists and members of staff who had been recently promoted in to new roles.

Some staff were quite apprehensive about the training, not having undertaken any formal qualifications for some time. The impact on the staff has been an increase in confidence and increased ability to complete their role.

Staff were presented with their certificates by Dr A P Birks and Kathryn Allen, Practice Manager and representatives from RCAT.

Kathryn said: "The training has increased confidence, enhanced knowledge and helped staff broaden the way in which they see their role."

Natalie Davies, Business Development Manager at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology added: "The staff should be very proud, it is a fantastic achievement. They have all supported each other and been very determined. They all now hold a Level 2 NVQ, funded through Train to Gain."

The training has helped the practice to make many improvements and benefits including increased organisational skills, ability to delegate tasks, enhanced ownership, smooth implementation of new systems and an overall increase in efficiency within the practice.

Dinnington Group Practice serves the whole of Dinnington, Anston, and Woodsetts as well as the surrounding villages. A new surgery in Anston was opened in July 2007 and the group employees 70 people.

RCAT website

Images: rotherham.ac.uk