Work Experience
In the NHS, every person matters. Whether working directly with patients and families or supporting behind the scenes, everyone plays a role in making a real difference. With over 350 career paths in the NHS, there’s more to it than you might think, from digital, data and technology to human resources, finance, project management, and more. There’s something for everyone!
Our services help NHS organisations, contractors and the public every single day, you might have even used some of them yourself. We take pride in being part of something so meaningful that touches millions of lives. As one of the UK’s Best Big Companies to work for, we are all connected to our values, Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic – We CARE.
Work Experience for Year 12 Students
Are you in year 12 and looking for work experience in summer 2025?
Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people to live longer, healthier lives?
We’re inviting year 12 students to join us to explore non-clinical careers at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and experience life as part of an organisation connected to care at our Newcastle head office.
Where and when
- Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July 2025
- 9.00am to 3:30pm
- NHS Business Services Authority, Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 8NY
What you’ll be doing
This five-day placement is the ideal way to explore non-clinical areas in the NHS. You can expect quality careers advice, enrichment experiences, exposure to the workplace and role models from different backgrounds to help you decide if this could be the career for you.
We will try to match you to your preferred area of interest, where you will spend time engaging in hands-on learning, skills development workshops and participate in a group task.
Find out more about the areas you can apply for below:
Digital, Data and Technology
Our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team provide technical, digital and data solutions. We offer a huge range of careers from cyber security, data analytics, data science, architecture, and many more!
Finance, Commercial and Estates
Our Finance, Commercial and Estates (FCE) team make sure we are spending over £52.28 billion wisely and that our processes are as efficient as possible. From fraud to financial strategy, planning and budgeting to payroll and procurement.
Workforce Services
In Workforce Services, our colleagues play a vital role in supporting recruitment, retention and workforce planning for the whole health and care system. We manage important services like the Employee Staff Record (ESR), NHS Jobs and the NHS Pensions Scheme. Working in this area means you’ll be playing a key part in supporting those who help others every day, helping people to live longer, healthier lives.
People and Corporate Services
Our People and Corporate services team provide a wide range of services to make the NHSBSA a great place to work. From making sure we all have the right tools and support to do our jobs in the human resources team to communications and marketing, reducing our environmental impact, organisational development to wellbeing and inclusion, we’re the people team supporting our people.
Portfolio Management
In Portfolio Management we deliver and review big and exciting projects across the NHSBSA! From project planning and project management to change management, business analysis and so many other disciplines. We collaborate across the NHSBSA and beyond to launch new services and make improvements to ultimately deliver value and change for the NHS. This is a collaborative and varied team responsible for things like planning, delivery, assurance, risk management, budget management, reporting and more.
Citizen Services
Citizen Services support members of the public to gain access to healthcare and help with health costs as well as other helper services to which they are entitled. From our award-winning customer contact centre to administrative support, this area could be for you if you have good communication skills.
Primary Care Services
In Primary Care Services we process over one billion prescriptions each year, 43.6 million dental claims and make over £12 billion accurate and timely payments for all essential services our pharmacy and dentistry colleagues provide to the public! If you are interested in helping NHS organisations thrive then primary care services is for you.
Strategy Performance, Business Development and Growth
Interested in innovation and shifting mindsets? Our Strategy Performance, Business Development and Growth (SPBDG) team cover everything from reviewing and improving our customers journey to helping colleagues from across the NHSBSA and other organisations to collaborate more effectively in our partnerships team. A great option if you’re a strategic and out of the box thinker!
Who can apply
To keep our application process fair and inclusive to all applicants, students must meet the following criteria:
-
Be in full-time education
-
Currently be in Year 12 or aged 16-17 years old
-
Live within a reasonable commuting distance to the NHSBSA Stella House Office
-
Where possible, be available to attend for the full 5 days, from Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July 2025 (if it would be difficult for you to attend for 5 days due to additional responsibilities or individual circumstances, please let us know)
Equal opportunity criteria
We believe in offering every student an equal opportunity to succeed. That's why 50% of our spaces will be reserved for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. To apply for ring-fenced places for you will need to meet the above criteria and:
- Attend a state-funded, non-fee-paying school and;
- Currently be in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 Bursary, OR
- Be from a lower socio-economic background. This is determined by the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged around 14, with the following being grouped as ‘lower socio-economic background’ (Social Mobility Commission):
- Technical and craft occupations: such as motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver.
- Route, semi-routine manual and service occupations: such has postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter/waitress, bar staff.
- Long term unemployed claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year
Apply now
Want to take part? Submit your application form!
If you’re interested in applying for a place, please submit an application form by Friday 23 May.
Successful applicants will be notified by email no later than Tuesday 3 June.
You will be allocated time for lunch and breaks throughout the day and successful applicants will receive a schedule for the week before the placement is due to start.
Successful students will also receive a laptop to use during their placement as well as a free lunch every day. All you need to do is be able to get to and from our offices each day and bring your best self for the week.
If you have any questions, please contact workexperience@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
