By Birmingham City University Student, Nimrah Zaman.

I had the unique opportunity in May, as part of Birmingham City University’s Employability Week, to spend a week observing clinical education in action at A to E Training and Solutions Ltd, which is a private training centre delivering Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) accredited courses. This experience offered me invaluable insights into what it takes to deliver high-quality, life-saving education in healthcare.

I was privileged to be assigned to Dr Haroon, a Resuscitation Officer and a Medical Director for Advanced Life Support (ALS) with the RCUK. From day one, I was immersed in a variety of clinical education environments. Dr Haroon didn’t just lead sessions – he embodied what it means to be a passionate, knowledgeable, and empowering educator.

A Seamless Booking Experience

Arranging this placement was surprisingly easy and efficient. I simply emailed A to E Training & Solutions Ltd with my paperwork outlining what was required. I received a prompt response from Dr Sean Buckland, Head of Medical Practice at A to E Training and Solutions Ltd, who connected me with Dr Haroon Jamil. Dr Haroon quickly got in touch, shared his calendar, and asked me to arrive 30 minutes early so he could provide an overview of the day.

From the very beginning, he was approachable and accommodating. Despite sometimes emailing him at unsociable hours due to nerves or uncertainty, he always responded kindly and reassured me:

“He calmed my nerves straight away.”

On the first day, he introduced himself warmly, outlined the plan for the day, and kept me informed throughout the sessions. It set a positive tone for the entire week and helped me feel welcome and included right from the start.

A Glimpse into Real-World Medical Training

Throughout the week, I observed a broad range of activities integral to medical training and healthcare quality assurance. These included:

  • Quality assurance checks to ensure hospitals are meeting the requirements for resuscitation and medical practice
  • Risk assessments of the sites to inspect the safety aspects of resuscitation techniques and equipment
  • Delivery of RCUK Immediate Life Support (ILS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses
  • Simulation scenarios involving anaphylaxis, seizures, hypersensitivity reactions, cardiac arrest management, and deteriorating patient recognition
  • A-E assessments (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) and SBARD handovers to equip staff with the technical and non-technical skills required to form part of a resuscitation team
  • Audits of emergency trolleys to document the quality of resuscitation equipment found at various hospital sites.

These weren’t just routine exercises, they were critical, hands-on experiences that bridged the gap between textbook knowledge and frontline healthcare delivery.

Observing Leadership in Action

On my first day, Dr Haroon conducted a simulation on anaphylaxis triggered by contrast in a CT environment. As the session unfolded, he carefully timed responses, monitored adherence to protocols, and provided constructive feedback. What stood out was not just his technical knowledge, but his leadership style:

“Instead of shouting or scolding his peers, he simply turned these faults into a teaching moment, making his peers feel lighter, more confident and encouraged to speak and listen instead of feeling belittled or anxious.”

This approach resonated with me. I had seen high-pressure environments where mistakes were met with criticism, not guidance. But here, mistakes were transformed into lessons, and everyone was engaged – especially me!

A Personal Learning Experience

Dr Haroon’s teaching style was not only informative but inclusive. Whether delivering one-hour BLS and ILS refresher sessions or leading a six-hour ALS simulation, he made sure the content was relatable and practical:

“He wouldn’t just say what was needed but also interacted with the peers and explained in depth by relating it to everyday scenarios.”

What struck me most was how he made sure I wasn’t just a bystander:

“He let me feel included… asking for my opinion, making me partake in the training and essentially teaching me.”

That sense of involvement allowed me to grow in confidence and see how effective teaching can inspire future healthcare professionals.

Final Reflections

As a student radiographer, this placement has opened my eyes to a path I hadn’t fully considered before – education and training within clinical practice. Thanks to Dr Haroon and the team at A to E Training and Solutions Ltd, I now carry not only knowledge, but also the motivation to one day teach and inspire others just as I have been inspired.

“It was a positive and uplifting experience.”

A sincere thank you to Dr Haroon Jamil for sharing his time, knowledge, and passion for healthcare education. This employability week has truly made a lasting impact on my personal and professional development.