EPUT have been helping students experience a taste of what it would be like to work as an Allied Health Professional.
Harlow teenagers were given an opportunity to take part in work experience at EPUT at the beginning of the year.
The Trust offered 12 Harlow College students studying T-level Health the opportunity to gain valuable life skills while they learn more about roles in areas including nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
It is the first time the Trust has offered work experience on a large scale.
The students, aged 16-19 years, completed one week placements at EPUT in January. They will return for another week in June.
They learned about professions across our integrated community care teams and our physical health wards at St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping and Saffron Walden Community Hospital.
students worked in three integrated care teams in Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford, and spent time with our district nurses, matrons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, therapy assistants and staff in dementia and frailty teams.
Heidi Cox, EPUT’s Allied Health Professional Workforce Lead, said: “It was a joy to have the students during the week. They all worked really hard and the feedback I had from the staff they shadowed was really encouraging.
“The students were inquisitive and asked questions and also enjoyed getting involved. It was a good opportunity for them to see what it is like to work for a mental health Trust and see first-hand what the job entails.
“The student feedback was equally as encouraging and they said they enjoyed being able to be involved.”
Harlow College’s assistant academy manager for Health and Science, Philippa Bennett, said: “We are delighted that EPUT invited 12 of our T level Health learners on placement.
“The students spent time with nursing and therapy teams in a range of settings learning about those roles. The students had an opportunity to work with patients practising their communication skills and developing their knowledge of working in multi-disciplinary teams in the NHS.
“These placements are essential for their qualification, which is the equivalent of three A levels, but also gives them a taster of different NHS roles and has a great impact on their future career choices.
“One of our learners has already decided to become a physiotherapist as a direct result of this experience. We are looking forward to working with EPUT on further placement opportunities for our learners and anticipate many of them will find roles with EPUT when they finish their studies.”
To find out more about AHP careers at EPUT click here.