Shreyashi Adhikari

• Placement role: Office Administrator
• Placement organisation: HM Rehab Basics Ltd

Undertaking a placement year as an Office Administrator in a physiotherapy clinic allowed me to develop strong administrative and communication skills in a healthcare setting. I gained hands-on experience of managing appointments, maintaining patient records, handling billing and insurance documentation, and co-ordinating communication between patients and clinical staff. It also helped me build confidence, improve my time management, and understand the day-to-day operations of a busy clinic.

I developed key employability skills during my placement, such as effective communication and organisation skills, as well as teamwork. I improved my ability to manage patient appointments and records accurately whilst consistently maintaining confidentiality. I also enhanced my problem-solving skills by addressing scheduling conflicts and responding to patient enquiries. Additionally, I strengthened my time management and multitasking abilities by balancing administrative duties in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

My advice to students applying for a placement is to be proactive and open-minded. Take the initiative to learn as much as possible, even beyond your assigned tasks. Communication is key – ask questions, seek feedback, and build good relationships with your team. Be organised and manage your time well, as healthcare environments can be fast-paced. Finally, stay positive and adaptable, as placements offer valuable real-world experience that will prepare you for your future career.

The biggest achievement of my placement year was receiving the ‘Professionalism in the Workplace’ award. This recognition reflected my commitment to maintaining high standards in communication, reliability, and teamwork within the clinic. It was a great opportunity to apply my skills in a real-world setting and to identify areas where I needed improvement. Through this experience, I became more aware of my skill gaps and understood what I needed to do to further develop professionally. This insight has motivated me to actively work on boosting my skills to better prepare for my future career in healthcare administration.

My placement year experience has shown me that this is just the beginning. The skills and knowledge I gained are transferable and will benefit me across various fields, such as healthcare administration, office management, HR, or even customer service roles. Understanding the workflow of a clinical setting, maintaining confidentiality, and working under pressure are all competencies that will give me an edge in future career opportunities.

Overall, my placement helped me realise my strengths, identify areas for improvement, and set clear goals for personal and professional growth.