The Christie Charity
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, as a world leader in cancer care, offers a select number of observership opportunities for registered health care professionals working within oncology. An observership is an informal observational experience - observers may not participate in patient care or management.
Please note: The Christie is currently processing a limited number of observership placements. The School of Oncology aim for a smooth re-launch of the clinical observership programme in August 2024. We thank you for your continuing patience and understanding.
This does not affect any Observerships already being processed. Please read the updated guidance below and check back soon for updates.
Clinical observership programme
The clinical observership programme gives fully-qualified healthcare professionals the opportunity to observe clinical work at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Our goal is to enable our global colleagues to enhance their professional skills, acquire new techniques and broaden existing knowledge. Observers will have the chance to build lifelong connections with expert healthcare professionals in their field and deepen their expertise in oncology.
How observerships works
Each clinical observer is paired with a supervisor, who acts as a mentor throughout the programme. The supervisor will work with the observer to create a tailored experience, ensuring that our visitors make the most of this unique opportunity.
Placement length
A clinical observership is agreed for a typical length of 2 weeks, although visits may be extended if additional learning objectives are identified and approved.
The focus will be on the quality of the placement, and not on the length, with a further requirement that the designated supervisor agrees a set of objectives to ensure that clear outcomes are identified with the observer at the very earliest stage of their placement experience.
An application may be rejected if the learning outcomes would not be possible within the clinical service at The Christie.
Clinical observership eligibility
We welcome qualified and experienced healthcare professionals from across the UK and overseas who are wanting to deepen their expertise in oncology and observe our healthcare experts at work.
As a cancer hospital, we expect candidates to have a strong interest in working in oncology. An application should detail which specialty, if applicable which disease site candidates hold an interest in and an up-to-date resume.
Please note: The Christie Foundation NHS Trust does not provide scholarships or funding for this programme.
The observership program is not suitable for students or individuals seeking residency opportunities. The visiting observer is expected to find their own funding for travel and living expenses and is responsible for making housing arrangements in Manchester.
GMC registration is not required; therefore, observers will not be able to engage in any direct patient contact or care for the duration of their observership. Observers will strictly be observing/shadowing our professional staff.
Documents you’ll need
To apply for a clinical observership, candidates will complete an application form and provide the following documentation:
- Passport
- Visa (if non-EU)
- Proof of qualification and professional registration (and translation)
- Letter of Good Standing from Constabulary or Ministry of Justice Department
- DBS/CRB/criminal records check from home country/country of residence (and translation)
- 1 professional reference letter
Language requirements
Although there is not a requirement to hold an English test certificate, it is expected that all applicants can speak and understand English, with an equivalent in either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of level 7 or above (in each part) or Occupational English Test (OET) score of B.
Guidelines for observers
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will not authorise observers to provide services of any kind either in an employed or honorary capacity and observers will not be entitled to remuneration or expenses. The observership placement may be withdrawn at any time if the observer is found to be in breach of any Trust policies, procedures or the terms of this agreement.
During the placement, observers must not present themselves as an employee of the Trust. The observer accepts that the Trust shall not incur any legal liability upon termination of this appointment or offer any indemnity for NHS work.
Whilst on clinical placement, observers are not permitted under any circumstances to:
- undertake clinical procedures or prescribe,
- order diagnostic tests or radiological examinations,
- take specimens,
- initiate, advise, order or stop the treatment of patients,
- teach clinical procedures,
- take any part in obtaining or witnessing the signature by or on behalf of a patient on a form of consent to treatment,
- assist with laboratory work, or
- carry out any patient examination.
Certificate of completion
Each successful observer will receive a certificate of completion of clinical observership from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Next steps
The clinical observership programme is managed by workforce development within the School of Oncology. Our team will process the application and support the candidate throughout the placement.
Our observership liaison lead will then thoroughly review the application and supporting documents. The specialty will determine if they can accommodate the request within the preferred timeframe and to align with the candidates’ learning objectives.
If you are accepted on the observership programme, the workforce development team will provide a letter of acceptance and request onboarding paperwork and required documentation. All candidates must undergo a selection process, provide satisfactory references, background checks, and obtain a valid visa for entry into the country.
Please note: we do not directly assist candidates in securing visas or complete visa application forms for observers. All documents must be translated into English before we issue a letter of confirmation.
Contact information
For further information, please contact the-christie.observers@nhs.net – we look forward to hearing from you.