Rebuilding a Clinical Career in a New Country
When Marwa moved to the UK just before the COVID-19 lockdown, she brought with her years of medical training and experience as an overseas doctor. What she could not have predicted was the sudden pause that would follow.
Unable to complete her registration during the pandemic, Marwa found herself facing an unexpected career gap. Determined not to lose momentum, she began searching for a way to use her clinical knowledge and transferable skills while building a future in the NHS.
She initially took on administrative roles at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), but it was not long before she heard about an opportunity within the Trust’s aseptic services. The role of Specialist Assistant Technical Officer in science manufacturing offered something she deeply valued: the chance to directly contribute to patient care.
“I feel like I’m still benefiting the patient,” Marwa explains. “I’m still doing something for patients.”
For her, working inside the lab, preparing and handling medicines in a controlled manufacturing environment, felt more aligned with her scientific and clinical background than traditional dispensing roles. It was technical, precise and purposeful.
But she did not want to stop there.
Learning the Science Behind the Practice
In February 2024, Marwa enrolled on the Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship with Skills4Pharmacy, completing the programme in November 2025 under the guidance of her tutor, Valerie Goto.
For Marwa, the apprenticeship was not about learning something entirely new. It was about understanding why she was doing what she did every day.
“It was just fitting into my routine work life,” she reflects. “You’re practising everything here, and then you’re learning the theory behind it. You literally know the science behind everything you’re doing.”
The timing often felt perfectly aligned. When the team encountered quality issues at work, she was studying quality systems. When changes to cleanroom locations were taking place, she was learning about cleanroom design and behaviour. The alignment between theory and practice brought clarity and confidence.
Unlike more general pharmacy-based qualifications, Marwa found the Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship highly targeted to her environment.
“If you’re intending to work in science manufacturing, I believe it’s much better to study something focused,” she explains. “It gives you the whole picture of working inside the lab itself.”
A Course That Evolves with Its Learners
As part of one of the early cohorts, Marwa experienced both the strengths of the programme and the opportunities for refinement.
She describes the structure as comprehensive and well-paced overall, covering everything she needed to support her role. However, some assignments during her cohort were particularly large, making them challenging to complete within tight timeframes. Feedback from learners like Marwa has since contributed to modules being broken into smaller, more manageable sections for future cohorts. She sees this as a positive sign of collaboration between the employer and the training provider.
Despite the intensity, she describes the 18 months as passing remarkably quickly.
“It felt like eight months, not eighteen,” she says.
She also valued the supportive environment around her, including the tutor support and focused delivery. The exam process itself felt encouraging rather than intimidating, with assessors who were flexible and approachable.
“It’s been a really nice experience. Everyone was helpful. I didn’t feel any problems throughout the course.”
Professional Recognition and New Momentum
One of the significant milestones following completion was registering with the Science Council. Although the process took a couple of months from application to confirmation, Marwa describes it as straightforward, particularly through the apprenticeship route.
Registration marked more than a professional title. It represented a step forward in rebuilding her career in the UK.
She has not slowed down since.
Even before fully closing one chapter, Marwa had opened another. She has already begun additional training in Accuracy Checking for Dispensing Assistants skills to support progression from Band 4 to Band 5. Within UHB, clear development pathways outline exactly which competencies and qualifications are required for advancement. This is something she greatly appreciates.
“We’ve got role-specific training. You know what you need to complete to fit into the next role. It makes it much easier to pick up what courses you need.”
She is also keen to address any potential training gaps, ensuring her skills remain aligned with workplace expectations.
Focused, Purposeful Development
When asked what she enjoyed most about the apprenticeship, Marwa pauses before answering simply.
“For me, I like focused training. The best thing about this course is that it focuses on what I need to do. It’s straight to the point.”
That focus has been central to her journey. From navigating a forced career pause during lockdown to building a clear progression pathway within NHS aseptic manufacturing, Marwa has transformed uncertainty into structured growth.
Her advice to others is thoughtful and honest. Choose the course that aligns with your long-term career plans. For those committed to science manufacturing, she believes this apprenticeship provides the right foundation.
For Marwa, the programme was not just a qualification. It was a bridge that reconnected her clinical background with a future in UK healthcare, strengthened her technical expertise and reaffirmed her commitment to patient centred work.
As she continues to build her career at UHB, one thing is clear. This is only the next chapter in a journey defined by resilience, focus and continuous development.