Andrea Johnson asks: “Is applying for an HLA Scholarship right for you? Read on”
I am very passionate about creating opportunities for every member of the dental team, ensuring that we all have equal opportunities to grow and develop our skills in whatever direction we wish to take them. So, in order to help facilitate this and open doors for everyone I am constantly pushing to create pathways into training options that I think may be of interest to us all, and, of course, especially for non-dentist team members.
I’ve heard any number of excuses from those offering leadership training, fellowships etc., as to why this or that training wouldn’t be suitable for us and I have challenged those responses every chance I get.
So, when I saw the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholarship opportunity advertised in a way that targeted clinicians and medical professionals I immediately rose to the bait. I saw no reason why this valuable programme should only be open to clinical applicants from the medical or dental field – what about the rest of us?
To my delight they immediately apologised, asked me what needed to be changed to correct their error. They took immediate action to ensure that the HLA Scholarship opportunity is open for anyone with the right character and desire to be an effective leader within the healthcare profession.
To prove the point, I applied for a scholarship, and I’m proud to say I’m now an HLA Leadership Scholar. They not only remained true to their word in being a totally inclusive organisation but so are all the other scholars within it. Not once have I been made to feel out of place or inferior in any way, in fact, quite the opposite.
But what is the HLA? – What’s in it for you?
The HLA was formed in response to demands from young clinicians and medical students who wanted to learn more about leadership. It is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and registered as a social enterprise, meaning any donations or income it generates are reinvested towards promoting leadership in healthcare – primarily through supporting its scholars on the flagship annual course. Scholars do not pay to undertake the programme.
Founded by Course Director Dr Johann Malawana, former leader of the Junior Doctor Dispute, and a team of like-minded professionals – Faculty and Assistant Course Directors – the HLA launched on 20th December 2016 to address the needs of the health sector and beyond. Its aim is to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals through developing a better understanding of what leadership really means.
Too often in healthcare, leadership is confused with management, but the HLA Scolarship helps nurture the leadership potential within all of us. Through a combination of mentoring, Socratic discussion, and philosophical exploration, HLA aims to inspire our scholars to change the world of healthcare, one person at a time.
When the world seems to have become increasingly worrying place, it is important that the next generation of healthcare professionals truly understand how to motivate the people they work with in order to provide the best care for the communities they serve.
For more information go to:
https://www.thehealthcareleadership.academy/
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8861953/
https://twitter.com/HLA_int
https://www.facebook.com/HLAint
So, in summary, does free HLA Leadership training prove valuable for dental nurses, therapists, hygienists, and technicians? Answer, you bet!
Will you be treated as a valued and respected part of the HLA community by all dental and medical professionals within it? – Absolutely!
Do you have to work in the NHS? – No.
Have you applied yet? If not, please do. Don’t let me be the only DCP to go through the HLA leadership programme, I’m happy and proud to be the first, but my aim was always to pave the way for others. It will only be worth it if you grab this opportunity with both hands and show this world what an awesome addition we can be to any team.
The application portal is now open, it is a competitive process as there are only 100 free scholarships but if I can do it then so can you. You have until the closing deadline of Wednesday 31st March 2022 at 12 noon. Go for it – healthcare needs more leaders – it’s your choice.
Visit https://www.medics.academy/courses/hla-2022-23-scholars-programme-application-portal
