Posted: 30/11/16
Healthcare cadets set for life on the wards
Healthcare extended diploma students at Mansfield’s Vision Studio School are set to embark on clinical training and ward placements at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
-
The studio school healthcare students are excited at their opportunity to have placements at the hospital
-
Jessica Arnold, who has begun work placement on the day case unit
This innovative new programme, which will enable the teenagers to experience real-life on the wards, as well as learn a range of clinical procedures, is being launched in February as a healthcare cadet scheme.
The launch of the new scheme was welcomed by the students at their induction day at King’s Mill Hospital last week, where they got to know the Trust’s values, discovered the importance of infection control as well as data protection and management.
From February, the extended diploma healthcare students, will be joining newly-recruited hospital healthcare support assistants in the trust’s education centre to learn techniques such as how to take blood pressure, using a catheter and how to insert a cannula.
Advanced resuscitation dolls will be used for practical training and this hands-on learning will be backed up with theory lessons.
Approximately 20 students from the studio school will begin the training which will be coupled with ward-based experience. Learners will begin the placements in the New Year, which will be undertaken in one day a week sessions or weekly blocks.
Kelly Hopley, subject area leader for health and social sciences, said: “These students have recently been studying health and safety at work and equality and diversity as well as care values and life stages. This practical experience in the hospital will give them a chance to put their learning into practice and understand how it’s applied.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity which is only normally offered to university students. It will mean they can learn alongside nurses and consultants, get meaningful and real experience, and it will pave the way for them to begin working in the healthcare sector on apprenticeships or higher-level studies.”
Jessica Arnold, 17, said: “I’ve just started my placement on the day case unit and it will be for a week. I’m hoping to learn all about the patient pathway while I’m shadowing staff. Eventually I want to work in mental health and this experience is vital. I already work in a care home so I’m getting some good grounding in the industry already.”
Sixteen-year-old Sam Downs said: “The hospital induction helped to inform us about the various teams in the hospital, all the different aspects of care and what it’s like to work here.
“Eventually I’d like to work in healthcare. I’m looking forward to the work experience on the ward once we start placements as this will be my first step towards this career.”
