Inspiring Future Health Professionals: Q&A with Lou Mitchell

Tell us about your background and how you got into teaching.

In the early days of my career, I started off working as a care assistant, then progressed to Senior Care Officer and Deputy Officer-In-Charge. I then undertook social work training working with a range of service users working on the Emergency Duty Team at Royal Stoke Hospital. I then moved on to managing accommodation for male offenders on release from prison and a hostel for young care leavers making the transition in to the community. I later began working for a mental health course and this coupled with training staff in the workplace is where my interest in teaching really began. My career has been varied and I have enjoyed working and supporting others in a range of health and social care roles ever since.

What made you decide to leave the health and social care sector and pursue a rewarding career in education?

I began in an assessor role for colleges going out into care settings initially. I was then offered some teaching hours in the Health and Social Care department and have never looked back. I'm lucky to combine my passions and have links to the sector that shaped my future.

What do you love most about teaching on the HNC Health course? Do you have a favourite unit?

I enjoy working with students at this level of study and seeing them individually progress with confidence and developing the essential skills to make positive contributions in the local community. I enjoy all the units that I teach including Law, Fundamentals of Evidence Based Practice looking at research within Health and Social Care and Health Education. It's a varied course which is really interested to teach.

The course involves an important extended work placement. How would is this for anyone looking to stay ahead of the competition?

Learners on the course have the brilliant opportunity to participate in an extended work placement. This placement is a minimum of 225 hours and can be a voluntary or paid placement. The HE students get to make links with relevant care settings in the local community and get the chance to combine theory and practice. It is so important to gain the work experience within this sector to be competitive, and it also helps learners to develop the essential skills for higher level study.

This course runs in collaboration with the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology. What opportunities does this provide for links to industry?

Our learners get to benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and industry links which is so valuable for the careers on offer within this sector, We can help learners to practice their skills and it allows them to grow and consider what they want from their future careers. We are so lucky to have the IoT for the student journey.

How would you describe your teaching style?

My teaching style is practical and I love enquiry-based learning. Using a range of resources, we get to demonstrate working practices which is proven to keep students motivated and engaged during their time on the HNC. We encourage group and independent work to enable learners to feel they can fully participate and present their findings and learn from each other.

What has been your proudest moment?

Every year, seeing our students at their Graduation Ceremony is the best part of the job. Knowing they are moving onto positive destination routes whether it be places at their chosen university or senior roles within their workplace is wonderful to see. Whatever their destination, it's so rewarding to have been part of their future careers whilst with us on the HNC. 

What key skills can this HNC help learners develop before they progress in higher education or head out into employment?

The Level 4 HNC helps learners to believe in themself and have the confidence in their own abilities to independently work at a higher level. The course encourages learners to develop their academic writing, referencing and practical skills in the workplace to prepare them for their next steps.

For anyone looking at their HE options for September, why would you recommend staying local and studying this course?

There are so many benefits to studying a university-level course at NSCG. We help learners to prepare for continued higher level study and for the world of employment if that's your preferred route. Our class sizes are small and you get to learn from lecturers with copious amounts of specialist industry backgrounds which will help you to benefit from relevant knowledge. NSCG offers competitive fees so you will also save money on those fees, whilst getting work experience on our proven placement programme.