GEM entry 2013

[pm13]

Hello.

I am only in my 1st year of a biomedscience degree and hoping to apply for GEM 2013 entry.I failed to get in at Leeds because I was rubbish at the interview. Currently trying to get some work experience and wondered if working as a ward housekeeper/cleaner is relevant?I worked as a theatre assistant for a couple of months in 2008 but wanting to do something over a longer period of time.

Any advice?

[becky180]

Hi pm13,

I'm currently working at a London hospital and I know one of the ward housekeepers, I helped him get orientated in his role when he started. I would say that there is some patient contact but only in the form of brief chats here and there, I don't think it would be classed as a direct patient care role.

However, you are ward-based and you will be able to observe a lot of the processes there, be it nursing or medical, so the experience is still valuable. It just may be less relevant than a HCA role or volunteering in a care home etc.

The other benefit of the job might be that you could make some useful contacts that will give you more relevant work experience, like shadowing, and you could get on the hospital bank staff register and gain some HCA shifts that way.

Hope this helps!

[pm13]

Thanks Becky thats very helpful. I want to get some work experience early on then focus on entry tests and getting good grades in my final year.The bank register is a great idea as I have two little ones.

Cheers.