My Placement Experience at The Christie
During second year of my psychology degree, I came across the idea of a placement year at an options fair. I wasn’t particularly committed to idea at first. Like many students, I usually skim through the endless university emails. However, one day I opened one titled ‘Placement Year Opportunity at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust’. Despite believing I had no chance, I decided to apply. I spent a good amount of time tailoring my application to match the Job description – a strategy that, as it turns out, is exactly how NHS applications are scored!
Fast forward a few weeks, I was sat in my interview, armed with standard answers for standard questions. Of course, none of them were asked and so I left thinking I had blown it. Then, on my way home, I got the acceptance call .As a Clinical Trials Assistant in Lung Cancer Research, I became the bridge between patient data and major pharmaceutical sponsors like Pfizer and AstraZeneca. I handled patient tumour samples, input critical data, coordinated with sponsors, and even sat in post-mortems and patient clinics. I barely recognise who I was before this placement. I was sure I had a solid skill set – courtesy of a slightly oversized ego – but it turns out I had lots to learn. For starters, I can now call my doctor without breaking a sweat. I’ve gained invaluable patient experience, have a solid understanding of medical terminology, and now thoroughly appreciate how the NHS functions. I have grown more in the last year than I have in the last five. So, if you’re on the fence about placement, take the leap. Say yes to the email. Apply for the role you think you won’t get. It might just change your life.
Find Hannah on Linkedin
Gain Rise points for feedback! We want feedback on Psychology Futures, so please read the participant information sheet and complete the short survey. As a thank you we will reward you with two Rise points for completing the survey. You can offer feedback on multiple resources, gaining up to 10 Rise points.