Work experience
We offer work experience for young people in both clinical and non-clinical departments.
Apply for work experience
If you’re interested in a work experience placement at our Trust, you can check availability by contacting:
- one of our consultants
- the department or service you’d like to work in
- a specific ward or unit you’d like to work on
If they can offer you a placement, they will make arrangements for you.
You must be in year 11 or above, and either lives or study in Gloucestershire. Mature students are welcomed, but we cannot accommodate long-term placement requests.
If you're a student applying to Medicine
The Medical Schools Council has information on making an application.
Work experience placements
Dietetics
Our dietitians work with patients, staff and the public to promote healthy eating and manage diseases, including diabetes, liver disease, and allergies. The nutrition and dietetics service are part of the allied health taster day which is suitable for students planning to apply for a registered dietetic undergraduate or postgraduate university course.
Health psychology
Our teams work with inpatients and outpatients to help them understand and manage the impact of their health problems. We work with a wide range of patients, including people affected by brain injury, cancer, or neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. In the interests of the therapeutic relationship, work experience placements are only available to university students (undergraduate or postgraduate, and clinical psychology trainees).
IT services
The Countywide IT Service provides computer and telecoms support to the NHS across Gloucestershire. Depending on current project work and supervisor capacity, the Gloucestershire NHS Countywide IT Service is not always able to host work experience placements.
Medical physics
Medical physics involves the application of science and technology to patient care. A typical placement would include a day visiting the various departments, and offers a brief overview of the profession and the chance to meet staff. If you are in year 12 and above studying science or maths, and are considering a career in medical physics, a work experience placement may be valuable.
Neurophysiology
Neurophysiologists use computers, electrical, magnetic and electronics to diagnose and monitor neurological disorders. If you are studying science and considering a career in healthcare, a work experience placement could be helpful. A typical work placement includes a day shadowing staff in the department, and provides the opportunity to meet staff. Opportunities for work placements are limited, but we welcome applications from students considering a career in neurophysiology.
Pharmacy work experience and work placements
Students (aged 16 or over) interested in a career as a pharmacy technician or pharmacist and who are studying relevant GCSEs or A-Levels are considered for work experience at either Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Our physiotherapists assess, treat and manage a wide range of problems associated with different systems of the body. Students in year 12 who are studying A levels, and mature students with relevant qualifications, interested in a career in physiotherapy can apply for a one day taster day at Cheltenham General or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. You can also apply if you’re in year 11, as long as you will be in year 12 or above at the time of your placement. We do receive a large number of requests, so placements are limited.
Radiography
Radiography is an imaging technique using x-rays, gamma rays, and radiation to see internal injuries or illnesses. Students over the age of 16, and people studying relevant A levels, who are interested in a radiography career can apply for a work shadowing or taster day in Diagnostic Imaging at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Placements are limited, and restricted to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Radiotherapy
Therapy radiographers accurately plan and treat cancer patients, using high energy x-rays. Students in year 12 and above, studying the relevant A levels, and interested in a radiotherapy career can apply for work shadowing and taster days at Cheltenham General Hospital, Radiotherapy department.
Restricted work experience requests
The following departments may also be able to accept work experience placements, but there are age restrictions in place:
- theatres: 17 years and over, unless authorised by the Matron
- paediatrics: 17 years and over
- neonatal and special care babies unit: 18 years and over
Pathology
The Pathology laboratories are usually able to offer a limited number of work experience placements each year.
Find out more about pathology work experience and laboratory tours.
Contacts
For the specific departments listed above, these are the contacts that organise work experience for their areas:
| Department | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Dietetics | fiona.brown1@nhs.net |
| Health psychology | mark.giles4@nhs.net and andrew.champion@nhs.net |
| IT services | ghn-tr.itadmin.team@nhs.net and fraser.frizelle1@nhs.net |
| Medical physics | tony.dix@nhs.net |
| Neurophysiology | andrea.beale@nhs.net or vashti.bond@nhs.net |
| Pharmacy | sarah.chandler9@nhs.net |
| Physiotherapy and occupational therapy | donna.bevan@nhs.net |
| Radiography | dolly.cox@nhs.net |
| Radiotherapy | e.charman@nhs.net |
Online alternatives to work experience
The National Work Experience Resource Catalogue is a free repository which includes information about: different roles in the NHS; Apprenticeships; career quiz; career planning; how to apply for a job; top tips on getting that all-important application and interview spot-on; work experience ideas; real life stories; videos and so on.