NHS work experience

Hertfordshire and West Essex Work Experience Opportunities

This portal advertises work experience opportunities in the Hertfordshire and West Essex area only. Please check each opportunity carefully for details of where the placement is based.

Find opportunities How to apply
  • Clinical and non-clinical roles
  • Hospital, community and primary care
  • In-person and virtual placements

How to apply

Applying for a placement takes four simple steps.

  1. Find an opportunity

    Browse the placements and filter by organisation, location, role type and placement type.

  2. Check the details

    Read where the placement is based, the minimum age and the availability calendar.

  3. Apply online

    Apply from the placement page and complete the online application form, including your preferred dates.

  4. Hear back

    You will be told whether your application has been successful. See the timescales for each organisation below.

Find opportunities

Before you apply

Each organisation has its own timescales. Please read the guidance for the organisation you are applying to.

4weeks
notice

East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust and Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

  • Please make sure the dates you apply for are at least 4 weeks in the future. This gives our services enough time to make sure they have capacity to host you.
  • You will find out if you have been successful within 4 weeks of your application.
8weeks
notice

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  • Please submit your application at least 8 weeks before your preferred placement date.
  • Applications are reviewed 6 to 8 weeks before the placement date you request, and you will hear whether you have been successful within that timeframe.
Read the full guidance
  • Applications for work experience are processed on a first come, first served basis, except for Paediatric placements and the Medical Shadowing Programme, which follow a separate process.
  • Please submit your application at least 8 weeks before your preferred placement date. You will be asked to select your preferred placement dates as part of the application process.
  • Applications received less than 8 weeks before the requested placement date may still be considered, but this will be at the discretion of the Trust Learning and Careers Officer.
  • Applications are reviewed according to the placement date requested, rather than the date the application was submitted. We aim to process and respond to applications 6 to 8 weeks before the placement start date.
  • Example: If you apply for a placement in July, your application will typically be reviewed in April, and if successful, you will be contacted during April or May.
  • While we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, submitting an application well in advance does not mean it will be reviewed earlier than the standard 6 to 8 weeks before the placement date.
  • Applicants who are unsuccessful will also be notified within this same 6 to 8 week timeframe.

Can’t see the right opportunity?

If you cannot see an opportunity that is available, there are virtual work experience opportunities and lots of information about health careers.

Try a virtual placement Some of our placements are virtual, so you can take part from home. Filter by Placement Type and choose Virtual Work Experience. Browse placements Explore careers in the NHS Find out about the wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles in health on the NHS Health Careers website. Explore roles

Not sure which career might suit you?

Take the NHS Health Careers quiz to find roles that match your interests – it only takes a few minutes.

Take the quiz