Work Experience

Important Notice – Updated 16 August 2021

Work experience and shadowing placements at Cambridge University Hospitals

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) CUH has no alternative but to continue to postpone or cancel any non-essential visits, events, and meetings planned as we want to reduce as many visitors as we can until November 2021. This will include any visits/events planned by our work opportunities team.

We are extremely sorry that we have had to take this decision as we know the importance of enabling young people to understand about the vast array of careers in the NHS and the world of work. We also know that these events encourage children and young people to consider the NHS as a future employer.

In the meantime please see our work shadowing page for our application form and details on how to apply for a placement.

If you have any queries regarding this communication please do not hesitate to contact the Work Opportunities Team on 01223-250887 or workexperience@addenbrookes.nhs.uk CUH is passionate about equipping young people with valuable careers guidance and expanding access to healthcare career opportunities. Our aim is to help develop skills, confidence, awareness and an understanding of the world of work, especially for students aged 14 – 19 years.

Please note: to support our local community, priority for placements will be given to students who live and study within the Trust’s main catchment area as we have limited places and numerous requests.

Medical Students Elective Placements / Erasmus Programme / Internships: Please see the links below for details on how to apply. These placements are organised by University of Cambridge Clinical School of Medicine and not via the Work Opportunities Team at Cambridge University Hospitals.

• For medical elective placements
• Application form
• Medical Electives – Frequently Asked Questions 
• Erasmus programme 
• International Students – Frequently Asked Questions 

Overseas Students requiring a medical internship are advised to contact the department specialty directly to source availability. If successful, the Clinical School of Medicine will assist with the application process.

Nursing Elective Placements – Please contact the Clinical Education Team directly for arranging a placement.

If you require information and unable to find it through the links above, please click here for relevant contact details.

For all other work experience placements please continue to scroll down the page.

For more information about careers in the NHS visit Step into the NHS

Overview

There are lots of opportunities within the local area when it comes to getting a job in the NHS or looking for work experience to see if it is the right career for you.  Cambridge University Hospitals is one of the top leading teaching hospitals in the UK. The NHS is the fifth largest employer in the world with over 1.2 million staff. It is estimated that there are over 350 different job roles in the NHS and the service needs the support of a diverse range of staff with lots of different skills and abilities to keep it running.

While there are many clinical or frontline roles which involve delivering care to patients and families there are also a large number of staff who work in other types of jobs such as scientists, accountants and media specialists. All of our staff are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our patients so if that is something you think could motivate you, then the NHS may be the perfect career option.

This is a great place to start if you are a student looking for a career in the NHS, or want to work in an education or training role and help support learners with their career choices.  We have tried to gather resources to provide a range of information to highlight roles and career choices for learners.  There is also career event information below that may be useful in connecting with the NHS for events that you may be co-ordinating.

The different ways of getting involved are:

• Volunteering
• Foundation Trust Member
• Apprenticeships 
• Work experience / shadowing placements and Insight programmes – Please see links below

CUH provides careers advice, education and work experience for clinical and non-clinical careers in the NHS.  Our staff are committed to providing you with the highest standard of placement.

Widening Participation

CUH has a proactive approach to working with our local schools and colleges.  It is an important part of developing our workforce for the future.  CUH has invested in making it a welcoming, friendly and supportive place to work, with accessible links across the county.  If you are interested in completing your Industrial Placement / T- Level at CUH please speak to your  Careers Advisor at the college and ask them to contact our team on 01223 250887 to discuss placement options.

If you are interested in a career in the NHS and attend a college within our locality / catchment area, please click on the links below for further information on what we have to offer.

(Click on each one of the boxes to find out further information)