Work Experience at the Practice

All UK medical schools now require applicants to have experience in a caring or service role, either paid or voluntarily, in health or related field, as well as direct observation healthcare. Portcullis is very keen to promote students to follow a career in Medicine, Nursing or related fields and we are more than happy to accept students for work experience at the practice.

Work experience is incredibly useful for finding out if you’re suited to medicine and where your specialty interests may lie. It also shows your commitment to becoming a doctor and is a valuable part of your medical school application.

You can get a placement in a range of healthcare settings, such as a GP practice, hospital or even internationally.

What do you need to do to get a placement at Portcullis Surgery?

You will need to be at least 16-years-old for a work placement at our practice.

We will give priority to local students if demand is very high.

We prefer placements to be in the summer months June-September as the practice is less busy then.

Send an email to the practice for the attention of Dr Catherine Beanland and we will be in touch. Please give us some information about yourself and what your career plans and interests are so we can tailor the experience to your needs.

Email: portcullis.surgery@nhs.net

Top tips when on a placement at Portcullis Surgery

• Dress smartly we would like students to wear black trousers or skirt and a white, black or red top. Alternatively if you have them you can wear scrubs.
• Be aware that some patients may wish to be seen without a student present. Don’t take this personally.
• Remember that patient confidentiality is important. You must not, under any circumstances, discuss patient issues outside of the department or practice you are based in. Be aware that you will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.
• It would be inappropriate for you to see a patient that is known to you socially, whether it be a family member or friend. If this happens you should tell the person who is supervising you and leave the room.
• Make sure you tell your placement what you expect to get out of it and let them know if there is anything that you would like to do or learn whilst you’re there.
• Keep a log/ daily diary of what you did and saw. This can help solidify what you learn, but is also an important reference tool when you are writing a personal statement and preparing for your medical school interviews.
• Try to speak to a diverse range of staff. Time with other healthcare workers can offer a great insight into the multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare.
• Ask questions and show enthusiasm. Ask the doctors about what they think are the qualities of a good doctor, ask them about their work patterns, lifestyle or whether they would choose medicine again as a career.
• Talk to patients – remember to be polite and introduce yourself as a medical school applicant on work experience.
• Be proactive and offer a pair of helping hands at every opportunity.

Feedback from students can be accessed with the following link

Work Experience student feedback