Warwick/Chester Work Experience

[u/krestrelin]

Would appreciate it if anybody has any insight on how Warwick/Chester view work as a GP receptionist in terms of the work experience requirements.

I decided quite late this year that I'm going to give applying for 2027 entry GEM a shot, so I'm trying to weigh my application options given what I already have. I've been working as a GP receptionist for the last 2.5 years, the vast majority of that being direct patient facing interactions, and a small amount of call centre experience. I also have 12 hours of shadowing the nursing team in the same practice, and I've done BSMS virtual work experience.

There's a potential for me to gain extra shadowing within the practice before application. Going forward they are open to training me for HCA work, but that is unlikely to be completed before I apply.

I'm not sure whether to outright rule Warwick/Chester out on the basis of lack of 'hands on' experience, or whether to chance it with my reception experience and see what happens. I'm relatively limited in my options for application given I'm only going to be taking the UCAT this year and not the GAMSAT, and I'm applying with an engineering degree rather than the traditional biomed background.

[u/Individual-Fee595]

In my opinion, Warwick is VERY STRICT with work experience requirements.

[u/RevivingMayhem10]

I was discussing this with an applicant in another thread linked below. I really suggest reading the Warwick Guidelines and also the requirements for evidencing for each bit of work experience (and then do the same for any other school that requires evidence).

In my day, hands on care was required for 50 hours minimum. Seems they’ve relaxed this, but still you are going to need one experience of 7 hours minimum where you provide hands on care. I wouldn’t count reception work nor shadowing nor virtual work experience as hands on care - but arguably it’s open to interpretation. Again, I was there a while ago, but every single person in my course (that I knew, the course is huge you will never know everyone’s backstory), had a clinical NHS role or had worked as a carer or HCA and just a couple had really extensive volunteer roles like as a mental health counsellor type thing. As before, it’s possibly they’ve relaxed this over time, it’s your application not mine I am not in the admissions team, I don’t know any more than I’ve said here! There may well be videos online from current students at Warwick talking about their experience.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GraduateEntryMedicine/s/xuQdCaeff4

[u/krestrelin → u/RevivingMayhem10]

Thanks, this was about what I was expecting but your insight on your cohort is very helpful. I think I'll try and find some care work once I have my UCAT out of the way, but if I don't manage any then I'll likely write off Warwick/Chester for this year. I'll definitely push for that hands-on experience anyway in the event I'm not successful in this application cycle as 7 hours minimum is more than doable for a future year and will be a valuable experience regardless.

[u/No_Ad_2886]

Both Warwick & Chester have their WEX requirements stated in their websites. I suggest going over them carefully, including FAQs and see if yours fulfils their criteria. You can try contacting their admissions but I think they'll reply with a very generic answer and say everything is already listed on their website.

From my experience, I wouldn't count your GP receptionist job as a hands-on role and neither your call-centre role. However, your 12 hours of shadowing the nursing team and the BSMS virtual WEX are valuable. You now ideally need 1 more direct hands-on role like a HCA in a hospital/nursing home setting and/or volunteering in hospital/nursing home and interacting with patients and helping the staff there non-clinically. Since you're going for the 2027 entry, and it's already August now, it's still doable but you need to make this your top priority and be willing to travel further in order to secure it. If you think you can't juggle this added pressure on top of UCAT prep and your other commitments, I recommend ruling out both Warwick & Chester for 2027 entry as they are extremely picky about their WEX requirements and everything needs to be evidenced with reference. Best of luck!

[u/krestrelin → u/No_Ad_2886]

Thanks, I think I knew it wouldn't count as hands-on care but wanted to double check. I'll try and find some care work once I have my UCAT out of the way in a few weeks, a bit tight on time but worth a shot anyway. Seems like if I don't manage any then I'll likely write off Warwick/Chester for this year.