Work experience provides unique insights into NHS careers: the interactions, schedules, emotions, sensations and outcomes associated with the range of roles on offer.

Mersey Care encourages members of the local community to consider and pursue a career in the NHS and the Trust. Relevant work experience in a health care setting is often a pre-requisite for the application process for many healthcare qualifications.

Work placements should showcase working in healthcare; there are so many opportunities away from the traditional view healthcare that Mersey Care have the opportunity to display. This is a great opportunity for us as a Trust to offer an insight in to all the amazing work that we do.

Work Placements are an opportunity for people to:

  • Supporting people of all ages and backgrounds understand the world of work and make decisions about their education and career
  •  Act as a feeder into apprenticeships and pre-registration courses or broader employment
  • Find out more about the healthcare working environment be this clinical, support services, administration or corporate
  • Give an insight into the variety of careers in the NHS and to help to inform career choices
  • Spend time discovering a career in the Healthcare sector is right for them
  • Help an individual develop aspirations for previously unconsidered career options

Placements  (Insert new MCFT Info) 

Typically placements are between 1-10 days but can vary between course of study.

Work experience placements must be educational, for people to observe and learn, and designed to relate to the students study and/or assist them with their choice of career.

All participants will be inducted much like our own staff, they will all receive information surrounding patient confidentiality, safeguarding, information governance and personal conduct. They will also receive a local induction into their placement area. 

Participants on work based placements will have a placement supervisor who will be the point of contact  throughout your time on placement.  The placement supervisor will monitor all activities that are undertaken and provide feedback, guidance and advice to the placement participant.

Participants are required to complete a reflective/personal development journal.  This will predominantly be reflective on their placement experience.

Placement can be anywhere in the trust with any team or department. The only restrictions that could be placed upon this are:

  • No under 18s on inpatient wards

  • Placement Participants are not to be left alone with service users

  • They must not undertake any clinical task

  • Working Hours can be determined by placement supervisors but this must be between 8am and 5pm if the participant is under 18

  • Location of placement and participants travel arrangements will be a deciding factor of where placements can take place.  

In some client facing areas you will need to be over the age of 18 and have an up-to date DBS Certificate prior to commencing a work placement with Mersey Care, the DBS will need to be paid for by the individual accessing the placement (this can be dealt with via resourcing once an application has been completed).  There are placement opportunities for under 18 year olds and placement applications will be dealt with on an individual basis to identify suitable placement area.

The work placement application will need to be completed. You can request an application form from TalentforCare@merseycare.nhs.uk  

We cannot guarantee that a placement can be offered. 

If you wish your service/team to offer placements please contact the Widening Participation Coordinator or for further information contact TalentforCare@merseycare.nhs.uk  

For Further information on our work experience programmes please contact TalentforCare@merseycare.nhs.uk