Work experience

Last updated: Thursday 15 August 2024

What is work experience?

Work experience is short-term experience of employment providing an insight into the variety of roles in the NHS. both clinical and non-clinical. We offer work experience to all, from students of all ages to people seeking a career change. 

Work experience:

  • offers excellent opportunities to sample a career in the NHS and gain experience of a working environment #
  • helps you explore possible career paths which can prove invaluable in shaping your long-term plans 
  • demonstrates you have undertaken work experience, which is often required as part of the university application process
  • is a valuable way of gaining confidence and experience of caring for people in a hospital environment
  • provides a unique insight into the patient journey

While there are many clinical or frontline roles which involve delivering care to patients and families there are many staff who work in non-clinical areas such as scientists, accountants, maintenance specialists and communication specialists.

What kind of work experience do we offer?

We offer work experience in clinical and non-clinical areas, and also offer virtual work experience opportunities to schools and colleges.

Please see below for details of the work experience placements we offer.

Please note that not all departments are able to accept work experience placements and others will have specific criteria which students must fulfil. We do not consider applications where the criteria have not been met or the correct procedure for applying has not been followed.

As we receive high volumes of applications, particularly in summer, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Work experience is not offered in December, January or February due to winter pressures on the health system.

Work experience programmes

We offer:

  • Non-clinical placement - suitable for students aged 14 to16 years.  This will be a clerical/administrative/reception based role for those wishing to gain administrative experience in customer service/business/finance roles.
  • Clinical placement - ward-based - suitable for students aged 17 years and over, ideally in the second year of college.   This will be a ward based placement supporting the healthcare assistant/housekeeper, suitable for students wishing to pursue a career in nursing.  
  • Clinical placement - paediatrics, maternity and radiology - students must be 18 years old or over, due to the vulnerability of patients and radiation used.  These placements are suitable for students wishing to pursue a career in these areas and may only be for one to two days.
  • Shadow a doctor/consultant - suitable for students aged 17 years and older  This placement is aimed at students wishing to attend medical school to pursue a career as a doctor, you may attend for one to two days.
  • Physiotherapy programme - students must be 17 years or older to attend this programme.  It is suitable for students wishing to pursue a career as a physiotherapist.  You will visit five different aspects of physiotherapy throughout the week-long programme.
  • Summer work experience non-clinical - aimed at students from 14 to 16 years of age, running throughout the first two weeks of July. Participants will be allocated one week of work experience in an administrative role.  Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis due to popularity.
  • Summer work experience - clinical - aimed at students aged 17 years and older,  running through the first week of July. This ward-based programme is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in nursing or as a healthcare assistant.
  • Summer work experience - medical - aimed at students aged 17 years and older, running through the second week of July.  This programme offers a variety including training opportunities, tours and time spent shadowing a doctor.  It is specifically for students wishing to attend medical school.
  • Supported internship - a programme run in collaboration with the local council, Warrington Vale Royal (WVR) College and DFN Project Search.  It is specifically aimed at students with an Education Health Care Plan who are attending WVR College.  The programme runs throughout the academic year. We host students from the college in various departments offering real-life experience of the working environment and an opportunity to gain experience in essential employment skills.
Work placement opportunities

We also offer work placement opportunities for people at various stages in their career.

For pre-registration experience placements - please email whh.pef@nhs.net

For elective placements please email - whh.medical.students@nhs.net

Where does work experience take place?

We offer work experience placements at both our Warrington and Halton sites. There is a shuttle bus which runs between the sites.

Who can undertake work experience?

While we offer placements to young people age 14 years and upwards, these placements are in non-clinical areas only. They are in administrative or clerical roles undertaken in various offices throughout the hospitals.

Clinical work experience opportunities are available for students aged 17 years and over, usually during the second year of college.

We consider applications from individuals who live in or attend an educational institute in the local area. Due to high demand for placements; priority will be given to applicants attending schools in the catchment areas of the hospital sites.

How to apply

Making an application for experience

Before applying for a Work Experience Placement, you need to consider which areas interest you, your career aspirations and where you feel you may be most suited in accordance with the subjects which you have studied.

Please complete

Work Experience Application Form

Once your Application has been processed you will receive a link from the Occupational Health screening system called ‘Cority’.  On this system you will be able to complete a health questionnaire and are provided with the facility to upload evidence of Immunisations.

Evidence of immunisations

You will be able to obtain evidence of your up-to-date Immunisations from your GP or screenshot the vaccinations information from the NHS App. You must upload this information as it will determine whether you will be able to attend the hospital.

The letter from your GP surgery or screenshot from the NHS App, must show evidence of your immunisations particularly two for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. If you are unable to obtain a list of your immunisations from your GP you will need to supply written evidence of a blood test result showing immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.

For anyone over 18 years and anyone wishing to have a placement in a clinical area, you will also need a letter from your GP surgery which shows evidence you have had your first and second COVID-19 vaccination

Any queries regarding the Cority system must be emailed to: whh.occupationalhealthandwellbeing@nhs.net