Work experience
Last updated: Tuesday 17 September 2024What 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.
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 older, 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.