Work experience

 

University Hospitals, Bristol offers up to one weeks’ work experience for students who are interested in a career in the NHS.

Examples include~

• Physicist
• Engineer
• Doctor
• Nurse
• Pharmacist
• Bio Medical Scientist

 

We tend to be booked up about 3 months in advance so please don't leave it too late to apply if you are only able to make use of a limited range of dates.

 

Sample programme

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
UHBristol NHS Foundation Trust Induction Orientation to the Hospital.	BMSC Learn how the simulators work.	Bristol Royal Infirmary Medical ward round	Bristol Royal Infirmary General surgery operating theatres	Bristol Eye Hospital operating theatres
L	U	N	C	H
Hospital Ward/  Department Visit	BMSC Take part in a real course involving nurses, students, or doctors.	Hospital Ward/ Department Visit	Hospital Ward/ Department Visit	Bristol Royal Infirmary out-patient clinic

Due to Hospital demands some wards/departments may not be available for visits - You will be given your own programme on your first day. If you are intending to specialize please make your interest known at the time of confirming your attendance.

 

Objectives

You will need to think about the following:

1. What do I hope to gain from my work experience?
2. What am I looking forward to?
3. What am I anxious/worried about?
4. Can this experience assist me in completing my school/college work?
5. What would I like to ask a medical student, a nurse, a doctor etc?
   

 

Some suggested learning outcomes for ward visits

1. By the end of your visit you should be able to have an understanding of the role you have selected to shadow.
   
2. Write down what other staff you saw and note down their roles
   
   
3. Observe the different communication exchanges that you witnessed between patients, relatives and staff.

These are just a guide and you are welcome to write your own.

We also offer Work Experience sessions within the Medical Simulation Centre.

 

Some suggested learning outcomes for the simulation centre

1. Understand the role of BMSC
2. Participate in working in a changing environment.
3. Gain experience working alongside clerical, medical and nursing staff.
4. Observe the different approaches that BMSC and other teaching staff use when facilitating courses.
5. Observe how the Human Patient Simulator is operated and maintained.
6. Spend time with the centre manager/facilitator assisting with the setting up, staging and the running of simulations.
7. Discuss with the centre manager how the equipment is maintained.
8. At the end of the week, discuss with your facilitator the different approaches to teaching and learning that you have seen.
9. Once you have visited the ward, note down any differences between the medical and nursing staff that you have seen between ward and BMSC (to discuss on your final day with your facilitator)

 

Our expectations of you..

• Be prompt and dress suitably
• Wear your name badge at all times
• Respect confidentiality
• Follow all safety instructions from UHB staff
• Behave in an appropriate manner for the environment

Your expectations of us..

• We will give you induction on your first day to ensure you are safe during your time at UHBristol
• We will aim to offer you a wide variety of experiences that may assist you in deciding which career you may want to pursue
• We will ask for your comments about the placement to make recommendations for future placement users

 

One of our older work experience trainees who volunteered to model (wide awake!)
as a patient in a simulated general anaesthetic during a film shoot at BMSC

 

Application Process

You need to complete and return an application form for formal approval before we can offer you work experience at UHB.

There may be a short delay after we receive your application before we can determine whether a placement is possible.

Please contact Sue Cotterell, work experience co-ordinator

Tel: 0117 242 3843

e-mail: sue.cotterell@uhbristol.nhs.uk

 

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Other useful links..

The University of Bristol Medical School Admissions Tutors have prepared an excellent, honest and very accurate 'YouTube' guide to medical school interviews for prospective applicants: