Theatre Assistant Review

The insight into the perfusionist medical profession allowed me to find the right career path for me, hence allowing me to gain the additional required experience and application preferences to put myself in a good position for applying this year. Every hour taught me something new and the position never ceased to excite me.

Due to the position being highly shadowing orientated, I didn’t feel as valued as I perhaps would have done as a member of staff. Although I was welcomed and introduced to everyone in the team, at times I unfortunately felt to be more of a hinderance than a help to staff members.

I was guided really well on a daily basis and the reasoning behind each job role was really well explained. The science behind the procedure was explained in great detail, allowing me to understand the importance of perfusionists in cardio thoracic theatres, and assisting in my future career making decisions.

Due to my dissertation being linked to perfusion, the day gave me masses of information which I used to help me achieve a first class honours degree in biomedical science. The experience motivated me to research more in to the area of perfusion and help with linked modules that the degree involved.

The team were aware of my insight experience and made me feel very welcome. Due to surgery being naturally well structured, the days flowed really well and seemed to be very organised - also spurring my enthusiasm to work in theatres. However, the structured days weren’t organised on my behalf.

Needing to be serious in life critical situations, the atmosphere was not always the most significant part of my insight. However, there was visually great team work and a family- like environment that appeared very endearing to an outsider. There was never a moment that I was made to feel uncomfortable.

The National health service were very keen to teach me the various roles of the position as well as the theoretical learning behind it. At the end of the insight, we reflected upon what I had learnt to see what I had learnt over the period of time that I was there.

The daily life of a perfusionist was well detailed to me, including on call and weekend shifts. As I shadowed one particular perfusionist, I managed to experience first hand just what the week would be like in their position. Any questions regarding the job role were answered to help further understanding.

The culture was well understood in the short insight experience I had. It is to my understanding that by being one of the members of staff, you will feel quickly part of the team and treated with respect, equality and dignity. The short time I was there became irrelevant to understanding the culture.

The experience has led me into researching, applying and gaining further experience into the particular job role. It is definitely all thanks to the experinence that I have found a career path that suits me, and thanks to the ream that guided me in the right direction to get there.

This was a voluntary experience position which I did not get paid for.

Not particularly. However, by undertaking the experience, I have managed to gain good contact with the team in my local area, which has enabled me to carry out further experience and gain my current working position. Thus, having the email contacts of the people whom I shadowed, was extremely useful.

I wouldn’t say that there were any. As mentioned above: Not particularly. However, by undertaking the experience, I have managed to gain good contact with the team in my local area, which has enabled me to carry out further experience and gain my current working position. Thus, having the email contacts of the people whom I shadowed, was extremely useful.

As seen in the staff room, there were plenty of opportunities to get involved in social events outside of work. These included Christmas parties, catch up evenings and dinner meet ups. This helps to build a great working relationship with your fellow colleagues, creating a better atmosphere in the work place.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone considering a career in the area. It was well informed and run and covered all areas necessary. The only thing that would benefit the experience would be to cover any travel expense costs for the period in which we were at the hospital.