Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy Placements
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides one of the main NHS settings for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students from Sheffield Hallam University. Student placements are provided in all specialities where you will be able to develop your knowledge and skills through patient contact and clinical opportunities or gain practice based experience across the 4 pillars of practice.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept elective placements from other universities at this time.
Our Student Leadership Team supports all OT and PT students while on placement at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. We work closely with educators and SHU to ensure that students experience a high quality placement.
We are a small team of Admin Support, OT and PT Education Facilitators who are here to assist with all the pre placement preparation and support throughout your time on placement with us.
The best way to contact us is by our email address sth.pt-otshustudents@nhs.net
STUDENT PLACEMENTS
PRE PLACEMENT INFORMATION
All information will be sent to you 4 – 6 weeks before you are due to start placement including pre placement tasks and initial information required to set you up with our IT systems as well as the induction date, time and location. Please make sure you regularly check your SHU emails including junk/spam inbox.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR PLACEMENT
Take the time to look at the PARE profile for your area to prepare yourself for placement. Some of our teams will contact you before your start date. However if you have not heard from the team two weeks prior to your placement then contact them using the information on the PARE profile.
SUPPORT DURING YOUR PLACEMENT
On placement there are a number of people who can support you. You should have at least one named educator who will be responsible for directing your learning, helping you meet your objectives and signing your documentation.
You should have a SHU Academic Advisor to call on if you have any issues or difficulties on placement so it is important that you are familiar with who that person is.
The Student Leadership team are also here to help you if there are any issues whilst on placement. We run peer support group sessions during your placement but please do not hesitate to contact us at any time and we will do our best to assist you.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITES WHILE ON PLACEMENT
While you are on placement with us, we expect you to adhere to the Trust’s values and behaviours as outlined in your induction. If you are off sick or will be absent for any other reason, it is your responsibility to inform both SHU and your placement area prior to the start of your shift. You must also update both parties daily about your status and expected return. Failure to comply with SHU’s policy for sickness absence on placement may affect your ability to achieve professional behaviours/conduct competencies.
RAISING CONCERNS WHILE ON PLACEMENT
We will provide more Information about raising concerns at induction, but please also ensure you are familiar with SHU’s processes as students might need to follow both.
AFTER YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR PLACEMENT
After you have completed your placement, we ask you to return to PARE and fill in an evaluation for the placement you have completed. Evaluations are an extremely important tool for us to continually improve the way we work and what we provide for students who undertake placements with us.
Student evaluations can also be used as evidence for the professionals who have supported you to demonstrate competence in the educational aspects of their roles.
STUDENT INDUCTION AND TRAINING
Approximately a week before starting your placement you will receive an email from the Student Leadership Team with an induction invite, some reading materials and instructions for the training you will need to complete for your placement area. Please make sure you check your student email regularly, including your junk/spam inbox. If you haven’t received or can’t find this email then please contact us at sth.pt-otshustudent@nhs.net to request it again.
TRUST INDUCTION - AM
Induction is held on the first day of your placement with us, it is usually face to face at the Northern General and takes place from 9am to 11.30am. It is mandatory, even if you have been on placement with us before.
Induction allows us to brief students on STH key policies, procedures and expectations for your placement. Depending on your placement area, some students will be provided with an STH laptop (supplied in a backpack) and an STH ID badge.
CLINICAL IT SYSTEMS ACCESS TRAINING - PM
Whilst on placement here at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals you will be given access to our clinical IT systems relevant to the area you are based. The training is done online and links for accessing the training will be sent out with the induction invite.
INDUCTION CONCLUSION
Along with the induction invite you will have been sent some pre reading materials on policies and procedures with the induction invite. Please take the time to read through these carefully before joining your placement.
The day after induction is when you usually join your placement team and will have a further local induction in your clinical area.
PLACEMENT AREAS
OUR HOSPITALS
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
Which comprises of 6 community hubs and 16 local bases.
Please refer to PARE for your specific placement contact details and information. Your placement team may have several different locations. Please ensure you have confirmed where you need to go on your first day with the team.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to wear my uniform for the induction?
No you do not need to wear your uniform for the induction, you must however wear your uniform during your placement. Don’t forget to bring it with you when you join your placement area.
Is there staff parking?
Students on placement are not eligible for staff parking permits. Some community locations may have parking available - check with your educator. Hospital sites do have pay and display car parks for patients and visitors, but spaces are very limited and we do not encourage students to use these. You may be able to find on-street parking near to your placement location, but this can be very limited - ask your placement team for advice. Students who are issued with an STH ID badge will be able to use the H1 shuttle bus between the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General hospitals free of charge; others may use it on payment of a fare. Cycle storage facilities vary - ask your placement team or the OT PT Student Leadership Team for advice.
What are my working hours?
The PARE profile for your placement will give an idea of the normal hours for the team, but please discuss your specific working pattern with you educator.
Can I work evenings/weekends?
If your placement team works during evenings and weekends, it may be possible for you to attend, with agreement from your educator(s). Your educator will need to decide if there will be appropriate supervision and activities available for you outside normal working hours. For some teams, you may be required to attend placement during evenings and weekends - your educator will normally discuss this with you before the placement starts.
Will I get study time while I am on placement?
You are not entitled to time away from placement for university study, but your timetable may include periods of self-directed study to enhance your learning. Your educator will usually offer guidance on the work to be completed during this time and will expect you to show evidence that you have completed this.
I have a learning contract or I’m worried about how I’ll manage on placement – should I tell my educator?
Unless you have given permission, SHU will not tell your educator if you have a learning contract or have had difficulties on a previous placement. We strongly encourage you to discuss with your educator any particular support needs or worries you may have, so that the team can support you to enjoy your placement. You should raise this in your initial contact with the team if you feel able or bring it to your discussion about placement goals in your first week. If you need support with this, you can approach your Academic Advisor or the OT PT Student Leadership Team for advice.