I'll be applying to Warwick this year too! I graduated with a 2.1 in Biomedical Science in 2014. I've since worked for an NHS biobank for 1.5 years - working on wards, outpatient clinics, surgical theatres and pathology labs, and I am currently a year into my role as a research assistant on a smoking cessation clinical trial - again a lot of work on wards but also in patient's homes post-discharge. I do an hour and a half a week volunteering on a maternity ward before starting work, and I've also spent an afternoon shadowing physiologists in a cardiac outpatient clinic and a week shadowing respiratory consultants and a radiologist working in a breast clinic.
I'm really struggling to find any hand on experience. I've applied for numerous HCA jobs but don't seem to be getting anywhere! I had one interview last week but I think the nurses were suspicious as to why I was willing to take such a drastic pay cut. They didn't directly say it but I think they knew of my intentions and thought I wouldn't be sticking around for long (?)
I'm still applying for positions, and should I get an another interview I will definitely be more honest about my career goals and just hope they are supportive. Thanks for the reminder about nursing homes! That hadn't even crossed my mind - I'll get in contact with some local to me. Do you think assisting with feeding at meal times will be sufficient to be classed as hands on?
Any advice would be much appreciated!