Donna is a Deputy Health Records Manager at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Trust. She is currently undertaking our level 5 operations manager apprenticeship. She also now performs the role of an Apprentice Champion at the Trust, supporting other apprentices as they begin their apprenticeship journey.
Donna Jones began at the Trust in 2004 as a domestic before transitioning to a receptionist position in Outpatients in 2007. She then explored various administrative roles, gaining her first management experience in 2017 when she supervised a small administration team in Maternity Outpatients. This experience sparked her interest in deepening her knowledge of management and leadership.
In April 2024, Donna chose to pursue the level 5 operations manager apprenticeship. It perfectly aligned with her developmental needs as she took on the responsibility of managing a larger, diverse team alongside her maternity team – Donna now oversees a team of about 60 staff members in her role as Deputy Health Records Manager. Her passion for learning and desire to become a more effective leader motivated her to enrol.
Donna believes that participating in this apprenticeship will enable her to become the best leader possible, thereby empowering her staff to be their best selves as well. She recently received a ‘Tiny Turtle’ award at the Trust for being an attentive listener and providing support to others. Donna feels that her apprenticeship contributed to her award by enhancing her understanding of the significance of active listening and fostering effective working relationships with her team. Furthermore, the programme inspired her to collaborate with her team in creating a team charter that outlines office golden standards and core values, reinforcing the Trust values for her group. Looking ahead, Donna aspires to continue her education and pursue a level 6 chartered manager apprenticeship, which would support her ultimate career goal of teaching leadership within the NHS.
When asked which skills have improved the most during her apprenticeship, Donna said: “I recognise the significance of effective communication and strong relationships within my team and externally. Additionally, I’ve developed my leadership brand, defining how I aim to lead and inspire others.”
In terms of the value that the management apprenticeship provides, Donna told us: “It is an excellent way to pursue higher education while gaining real-life work experience. It broadens knowledge, enhances existing skills, and offers opportunities to explore diverse perspectives, serving as a stepping stone to achieve career goals.”
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about our management apprenticeships, please visit our management page.