'My T Level placement has strengthened my ambition to become a physiotherapist'
By Chanchal Saiju, Health and Social Care T Level student

I’m studying a T-level in health and social care and completed my placement with KCHFT's Community Rehabilitation Team.

I chose this pathway because I have a strong interest in healthcare and enjoy supporting people to improve their wellbeing and independence.

I have a particular interest in physiotherapy and this placement has given me valuable insight into how rehabilitation helps patients regain mobility, confidence and independence in their daily lives.

Before starting my placement, I expected to learn more about how healthcare professionals work together and gain practical experience in a real healthcare setting.

I felt both excited and nervous because it was a new environment and I was unsure what to expect. However, my first day was very welcoming and the team made me feel comfortable straight away.

I received excellent support from staff, who introduced me to the team, explained my role and encouraged me to ask questions whenever I needed help. This helped me settle in quickly and build confidence.

Throughout my placement, I have been involved in a variety of activities, including observing patient assessment, attending home visits, learning about rehabilitation plans, and seeing how healthcare professional's work with patients to help them regain independence.

What I have enjoyed most is meeting different patients and seeing the positive impact that rehab can have on their wellbeing.

I was surprised by how much teamwork and communication are involved in community rehabilitation and how every professional plays an important role in supporting patient care. One challenge I faced was adapting to a new environment and learning unfamiliar terminology, but I overcome this by listening carefully, asking questions and taking opportunities to learn from experienced staffs.

This placement has been especially helpful for my future goal of becoming a physiotherapist. By observing rehabilitation sessions and understanding how physiotherapists assess movement, mobility and functional ability, I have gained a much clearer understanding of the profession.

During the placement, I have developed important skills such as communication, professionalism, multi-disciplinary teamwork, observation and confidence when interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.

I am now more able to communicate more confidently with patients, understand rehabilitation goals and recognise how different exercises and interventions can support a patient's recovery and independence.

This placement has given me a realistic understanding of the responsibilities involved in rehabilitation and patient care and has confirmed that helping people improve their mobility and quality of life is a career I would find rewarding.

I feel much more prepared for further study and future employment because I have gained valuable real-life experience and developed skills that will be useful throughout my healthcare career.

My proudest moment so far has been seeing my confidence grow and being able to contribute positively during my placement. I am proud of how comfortable I have become working with a professional team.

My advice to students starting placement would be to be open-minded, ask questions, take every learning opportunity and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

I would definitely recommend this experience to other students because it provides valuable practical experience, helps build confidence and offers a realistic insight into working in healthcare.