Work experience info - Medical

loulou2702

I am 16 year old ( using my mum's account on here !) just about to do my GCSE's.
I would like to go into medicaine.
I believe its a good idea for me to do some work experience this Summer in a local hospital but I have no idea how to go about it.
Obviously I will write a letter - but to whom should I address it? What departments shall I write to??
What sort of work am I liable to get - as realisically I cant work on the wards - can I? !
I have done volunteer work through Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at my local Leonard Cheshire House and so I already have a CRB report so thats one hurdle out of the way if I can use this if needed.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks. Harry

ka7e

You will probably find that your CRB check only covers you for the work you did at the Leonard Cheshire House. They aren't transferable between posts, unless you have one through a College course that would cover you for assorted placements. The problem being, you have to be offered a position for a relevant CRB to be commissioned! If you can arrange work experience now, you will have time for a new one to be arranged.

You could apply through the Hospital League of Friends or local voluntary group for work in on-site shops etc. Or try the hospital's Human Resources or Personnel department and see if there are any admin type jobs you could do. But I'm afraid your age might count against you in these areas.

Voluntary work info -

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/JobsAndCareers/DG_10033053

adidas

I would tend to agree with the other poster in this thread. Your age may prohibit you from volunteering although there is no harm in trying. I am a medical student and I know of many hospitals which have volunteers who make teas and spend time with the patients. Also, you could apply to be a health care assistant, which may be very hard work but at least you'll get paid and you'll be able to relate the experience towards your future career intentions. If you ring the hospital you're interested in and ask for 'Nurse Bank' they should hopefully put you in the right direction.

With regards to applying to University, I think I'd leave it a bit longer to gain direct ward shadowing/other experience as your further education institution will be able to advise you about this and you may pick up some contacts along the way. Although this kind of 'work experience' is needed for application, it is not the be all and end all. It will look far better to volunteer with vulnerable groups and get involved with patients in a non-medical way so that you can understand/empathise better with patients rather than rattling off a list of things you saw one day with doctor.

celyn90

I volunteered in a psychatric hospital, worked with youngsters with learning difficulties and helped run a girl guide unit when I was at school. My sister worked in a care home and volunteered in a charity shop on alternate weekends.

You will find a lot of these things are very transferrable - doesn't have to be directly hospital orientated to be of use to medicine if you see what I mean, showing you have commitment and proving you can work with people will help you greatly.

best of luck, cel x

scorpio_princess

Sorry, I don't have any advice for you OP but I just wanted to say good for you for getting motivated and actually trying to get yourself out there - i'm sure with dedication and motivation (which you're clearly showing) you will get to where you want to go.

(Sorry if this sounds patronising - it's just nice to see someone who actually knows what they want out of life and is prepared to work hard to get there - very refreshing!)

QuirkyChemistry

If you do a search on your local hospitals website you might be able to find some information there telling you their policies and who to contact. Also try nursing homes and sports clubs. If it interests you then your local big rugby/football team might be able to give you work experience with the physios or something similar. Good luck.

westferret

Have you thought about first aid work? It's easier to get into, gives you first hand experience of working with injuried people and you get paid. Most require the First aid at work course as the most basic level but that is only a 4 day course and the money should pay that off. It's another idea for you if you are unsucessful with the hospitals and if you go to uni it's transferable to different companies and you can do it on an event basis to get money at uni and first hand work with actual people.

Also regarding the CRB it's different to companies as some require a brand new old whereas some require one within a certain date span (usually 6 months)

Hope this helps and good luck

loulou2702

thanks for all your advice and interesting replies. I have got lots of new ideas now.
I will look at all the options mentioned and see which one is best for me.

Thank you all so much.

cupid_s

When does your school do work experience? Mine organised everything for me when I did work experience in a hospital. It was only for 2 weeks but if I'd have wanted to I'm sure that I could have stayed longer.

moneysaver2b

My eldest Son is a now a third year Medical student. He volunteered at a local nursing home from the age of 14. He then got a weekend job at another nursing home as a kitchen assistant from the age of 16 (where he still works in the holidays, now as a care assistant). He went out on work experience with a consultant, attended a TB clinic for 2 weeks and attended a 4 day "Hospital Experience" course at the local hospital, where he shadowed Doctors. I think if you contact the Education department of your local hospital they may do something similar (we are in Derbyshire). I know there is a scheme in Leicestershire whereby prospective medical students are teamed with current medical students who "oversee" their progression. My middle Son is about to do the same Hospital Experience course later this month (although he wants to be a Dentist). There is also the "Medlink" course held every December at Nottingham University (there is a website), but it is quite expensive. My Son told me that all 4 medical schools were more impressed by the work he had been doing at the nursing home (long term) than his "hospital" experience and his D of E, school prizes etc.

I wish you all the very best - my Son absolutely loves his course.

loulou2702

My school doesnt do work experience until 6th form and wanted to fit something in this Summer.
Thanks again, like I said, I am doing volunteer work at Leonard Cheshire home which is for people with disabilities - it was just that a few people have suggested work experience and I wondered what was out there.
Will contact the Education Department at my local hospitals - as I am in London there are a few around. Thanks.