Finding and landing the right clinical placement is about more than just sending in a one page resume via email with a polite subject message and hoping for the best. You need to approach this with enthusiasm and passion, just like you will when you are job hunting. On top of giving you the necessary hours to complete your studies, your clinical placement is about gaining experience in the industry, learning how the real world beyond studying works, gaining vital industry skills and knowledge and potentially even scoring a paid role once you’ve completed your qualification.
Here’s what you need to know:
Looking for a clinical placement in a particular city? Or a specific area? Why not try googling it? A simple search of “Patient Transport companies Sydney” turned up 220,000 results, so it’s well worth a shot.
Know which company/organisation you want to complete your hours for? Contact them direct to find out more information about opportunities for clinical placements, when you need to apply and the process.
Let your family, friends and colleagues know what you’re looking for and consider putting the word out on your social media account. You may be surprised by the different connections people have.
Go to career expos, fairs or events where these organisations may be set up as though you’re off to a job interview – dressed for success, with hard copies of your resume. You never know who you’ll meet and what opportunities could arise, so it’s essential to make a great first impression and be prepared for any eventuality.
To seal the deal with any company or organisation you’ll need to look professional and wear appropriate clothing. First impressions last.
The biggest bit of advice we can give is don’t give up. Medical companies and organisations are always looking for an extra set of hands, so don’t be nervous about approaching them. If you get knocked back, ask them why and make it your job to improve on this next time.
The way you search for clinical placements will be very similar to the way you search for paid work once you complete your qualification. Use it as a practice run where you can learn from your mistakes before it becomes the real deal.
At the Australian Paramedical College, we believe everyone can achieve great things when they set their mind to it, no matter what their educational background. We provide an opportunity for ordinary Australians to become paramedics by delivering a clear educational plan.The courses we offer are the HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care and the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.
For those interested in Patient Transport, the HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport offers the perfect pathway. For more information on how to become a paramedic or to find out about different pathways please call 1300 377 741.