[RabidKitten]

Hi all, first time posting here

I'm interested in applying for the PGDip Radiotherapy and Oncology at Sheffield Hallam (2013). I've got a BSc Psychology and Hallam admissions say this is fine for the entry requirement. I also had a day at the radiotherapy department at City Hospital in Nottingham the other week.

However, my actual work experience from leaving school is not healthcare based (I work in a computing department in a university) although it is mainly providing staff/customer support.

I'm a bit worried that this won't be enough and that I might need to provide some evidence of more care based experience. Maybe volunteering or something?

[PhoenixFortune]

(Original post by RabidKitten)
Hi all, first time posting here

I'm interested in applying for the PGDip Radiotherapy and Oncology at Sheffield Hallam (2013). I've got a BSc Psychology and Hallam admissions say this is fine for the entry requirement. I also had a day at the radiotherapy department at City Hospital in Nottingham the other week.

However, my actual work experience from leaving school is not healthcare based (I work in a computing department in a university) although it is mainly providing staff/customer support.

I'm a bit worried that this won't be enough and that I might need to provide some evidence of more care based experience. Maybe volunteering or something?

For all health care courses, work experience with potential client groups or shadowing a clinician is pretty much essential, as courses are getting more and more competitive.

Contact some local radiotherapy/oncology departments and ask if you can get any direct shadowing experience, as this is probably the most important. Some PCTs won't allow non-students to have work experience in theri departments, and universities understand that, but making the effort, showing the initiative and putting yourself into the minds of the clinicians can only be a good thing.

[RabidKitten]

(Original post by PhoenixFortune)
For all health care courses, work experience with potential client groups or shadowing a clinician is pretty much essential, as courses are getting more and more competitive.

Contact some local radiotherapy/oncology departments and ask if you can get any direct shadowing experience, as this is probably the most important. Some PCTs won't allow non-students to have work experience in theri departments, and universities understand that, but making the effort, showing the initiative and putting yourself into the minds of the clinicians can only be a good thing.

Thanks for advice!

[Bubble87]

If you're not starting til 2013 you could think about applying for a heathcare assistant job. You'd probaby be taking a pay cut from your current job but the experience is invaluable for any and all healthcare career options.

[Muddy_Hands]

One day in a department is good enough for most unis including Sheffield Hallam.

If you live in the Sheffield area I'd recommend you don't ring Weston Park for your experience, they'll mess you about for several weeks and eventually decide to cut of contant all together. Leeds (where I did mine) or Nottingham are your best bet.

[Emzio]

volunteer at a care home or something just for even a month or two and you can put that on ur ps. that's what i did and im starting this september on PgDip radiotherapy and oncology practise at hallam

[rabz786]

Hello emzio..I'm also starting the pgdip this sept at Sheffield..was wondering if you have recieved anythin in post recently from the Uni?

[vic2710]

Hiya everyone,

I'm due to start the PgDip in Radiotherapy & Oncology at Sheffield Hallam this Sept coming. Just wondering if anyone else is due to start? Also, where everyones placements are? Mine is in Middlesbrough so no idea what is meant to happen with accommodation when we're in Uni for the first few weeks - hhheeelllppp! :-)

[Emzio]

(Original post by vic2710)
Hiya everyone,

I'm due to start the PgDip in Radiotherapy & Oncology at Sheffield Hallam this Sept coming. Just wondering if anyone else is due to start? Also, where everyones placements are? Mine is in Middlesbrough so no idea what is meant to happen with accommodation when we're in Uni for the first few weeks - hhheeelllppp! :-)

hey is me again, i've been placed at middlesbrough as well, but i've been thinking about the whole issue with accommodation as well, and my plan is to get term time accomodation with shu halls, but then get a temporal accommodation at middlesbrough with the hospital during our placement. i remember we was told at interview that we can get a temporal accomodation with the hospitals we'r been placed at which means we don't have to sign up to any long term contracts, we only pay for the times that we will be on placement and living in their accommodation. i think this might be the only way around this as we cannot be travelling such a distance from sheffield to our placement site on a daily basis during placement.

[RabidKitten]

(Original post by Emzio)
hey is me again, i've been placed at middlesbrough as well, but i've been thinking about the whole issue with accommodation as well, and my plan is to get term time accomodation with shu halls, but then get a temporal accommodation at middlesbrough with the hospital during our placement. i remember we was told at interview that we can get a temporal accomodation with the hospitals we'r been placed at which means we don't have to sign up to any long term contracts, we only pay for the times that we will be on placement and living in their accommodation. i think this might be the only way around this as we cannot be travelling such a distance from sheffield to our placement site on a daily basis during placement.

Do you know how much you'll be charged for hospital accommodation? x

[Emzio]

(Original post by RabidKitten)
Do you know how much you'll be charged for hospital accommodation? x

nope dear, but i don't think it will be as pricey as normal accommodation, after all they know we are students, and their accommodation are meant for students on placements..
n'way u coming hallam as well, where have u been placed..

[RabidKitten]

(Original post by Emzio)
nope dear, but i don't think it will be as pricey as normal accommodation, after all they know we are students, and their accommodation are meant for students on placements..
n'way u coming hallam as well, where have u been placed..

I'm applying for the PGDip starting in 2013. Just need to fill in my statement on the application form

[Bubble87]

(Original post by RabidKitten)
Do you know how much you'll be charged for hospital accommodation? x

When I first moved to Cheltenham to work I stayed in hospital accommodation and it was about £320 a month all inclusive. Just a ball park figure for you.

Also in case you didn't know, if you're also paying for university accommodation you can claim back the cost of placement accommodation from NHS bursaries.

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[vic2710]

(Original post by Emzio)
nope dear, but i don't think it will be as pricey as normal accommodation, after all they know we are students, and their accommodation are meant for students on placements..
n'way u coming hallam as well, where have u been placed..

Middlesbrough Hospital Accommodation is £245 per month

[Rach@ncl]

Hey guys I've applied for the PgD at Hallam for 2013 entry, have you any tips for my interview?

[Vivaviolin77]

Hi guys I am Hopingto study therapeutic radiography in 2013 but a little scared because I cannot get any work experience and of course results day is coming soon and the nerves are kicking in

Any ideas for work experience ???.

[Bubble87]

(Original post by Vivaviolin77)
Hi guys I am Hopingto study therapeutic radiography in 2013 but a little scared because I cannot get any work experience and of course results day is coming soon and the nerves are kicking in

Any ideas for work experience ???.

All I can say is keep trying, any experience in a hospital setting will be a good addition but all the courses demand you have visited a radiotherapy department preferably before applying but definitely before interview. Some of them even have forms for you and the hospital staff to fill out and send off to the university. The point is, they WILL ask. It's worth trying to get a visit to an imaging department as well, some unis may accept that instead if you're having real trouble.






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[Vivaviolin77]

Thanks for your answer
i have another question
i want to apply for nursing and radiotherapy as we'll
do you think about that is a good match somehow I have to word it right on my personal statement.
I was passionate about both if that makes sense and I really want to make a difference in people lives

Thanks

[Biogirl112]

I am applying for a BSc hons Radiotherapy, I have done work experience in Clatterbridge hospital in the wirral but i wanted to know if anyone knew any other work experience i could do... kinda desperate as the royal liverpool hospital turned me down as they dont have a radiotherapy department if anyone who knows of work experience that is relevent pleeeaaassse tell me

[Bubble87]

(Original post by Vivaviolin77)
Thanks for your answer
i have another question
i want to apply for nursing and radiotherapy as we'll
do you think about that is a good match somehow I have to word it right on my personal statement.
I was passionate about both if that makes sense and I really want to make a difference in people lives

Thanks

I'll think you'll struggle with that one, Radiotherapy courses have a real issue with applicants also applying for other courses, they don't even like you applying for Diagnostic Radiography at the same time! I originally wanted to do nursing, so I got a job as a healthcare assistant first and turns out it really wasn't for me! Try and get some experience on a ward as well.

(Original post by Biogirl112)
I am applying for a BSc hons Radiotherapy, I have done work experience in Clatterbridge hospital in the wirral but i wanted to know if anyone knew any other work experience i could do... kinda desperate as the royal liverpool hospital turned me down as they dont have a radiotherapy department if anyone who knows of work experience that is relevent pleeeaaassse tell me

You could try an oncology ward. Some degree courses put you on a chemotherapy ward for a week of your placement I believe and many patients have a combination of treatments so it'll be good for you see the other options as well. You could volunteer at a care home to 'develop your communication skills'. Any hospital experience is a good bet though, they will ask you at interview why radiotherapy? And if you have experience of the other professions as well it puts you in good light with the interviewers as they know you've considered the options thoroughly and still decided on radiotherapy


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