THE BIOMEDICAL ADVICE 40 Placements

Kamila Orzechowska, a second-year student at Coventry , writes about her experiences of a internship and advises how others can get the most out of work experience.

have been interested in for as long as I can remember. I have undertaken several courses around science and and am currently studying Biological and Chemical at Coventry University. My ultimate ambition is to translate into an accredited HOW TO… MAKE Institute of (IBMS) Iprogramme, where I can advance my practice and skillset, focusing on medical . THE MOST OF Due to COVID-19, I found it challenging to identify a placement, but was signposted to the work of the Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG) and, over AN INTERNSHIP the summer, I have been building my healthcare science knowledge around kidney care and laboratory practice, opportunities to share real- developing the necessary skills to be a developing understanding of science and experiences. I have been amazed by the biomedical scientist. I am learning about research. I think it is important to be a fantastic team and leadership this group lab practices, engaging with academics, pragmatic and resourceful scientist for has. The efforts really highlight researchers and wider healthcare practice and the RPSG has opportunity for discussions and how professionals. I am learning about new been amazing in helping me to become patients, professionals and researchers areas of care relating to kidney a rounded young scientist professional. can work together to find answers to and gaining an understanding of how The RPSG was founded in 2009 with important questions, improve healthcare important involvement of healthcare the view to provide online peer support treatments, quality of life and life really is in patient care whilst and education for patients suffering expectancy. My time has provided me with contributing to frontline practice. with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in a good understanding of how biomedical I have been able to increase my the UK. Whilst it started with baseline sciences can be involved to support smarter knowledge of kidney , mild affiliation with the North Bristol care for CKD patients with probable primary care, secondary care, different NHS Trust, it has expanded to a global comorbidities and multimorbidity. terminologies, care plans and treatments. membership. I have also contributed to webinars and The RPSG is an evidence-based support Developing skillsets virtual conference calls under supervision. group, where patients and carers have This experience has helped me in I would like to develop my final-year ADVICE THE BIOMEDICAL Placements SCIENTIST 41

Internship activities Following my internship, I am looking to transfer onto an accredited IBMS programme. My internship with RPSG has involved several activities, including preparation of and participation in a webinar surrounding polypharmacy and renal biomarkers. Working on my presentation, I developed a general understanding of polypharmacy, renal insufficiency and nephrotoxicity. I also gained an understanding of risk factors for patients with CKD. The webinar was collaborative and, with my internship supervisor, I presented insights on biomarkers to an international online audience. This “If you are open helped me gain confidence, and the importance of clear communication. to exploring As part of this work, I was also invited by my internship supervisor to co-create other areas a poster presentation titled Polypharmacy and Nephrotoxicity: Understanding the where science Problem and Prompting Early Renal Screening for Best Practice – Review. This poster It is about connecting – writing letters and has a focus, then communicates how to avoid excessive, approaching people who may have links. you should get inappropriate, or inadequate prescribing You might not get what you originally in the elderly living in care plan for, but science, it is about being open the best out of and nursing homes. to learning and wider opportunities. My internship has motivated me to It is important as a developing scientist your placement” work and strive to become a well-rounded to make transparent what you want. It is scientist and professional and to embrace good to be proactive and open to learn the concept of “more than science in new things and it is vital to act dissertation project under RPSG the laboratory”. professionally at all times. I referred to supervision surrounding polycystic I am also privileged to have helped in the IBMS Good Practice guideline (2017) kidney disease (PKD), and I am currently developing three collaborative papers, and that gave me a good idea of developing the proposal. Also, I would like which are being prepared for publication. professional conduct in and outside to explore areas of I am now looking to get involved in the laboratory environment. surrounding PKD. I would like to further collaborative research work. Searching took me in many directions, eventually have a biomedical science but getting the most out of your career in microbiology. Together, with Advice for others placement is about showing your my internship supervisor, I am hoping Searching for a placement is a long understanding as part of the interview to present a snapshot of my final year process. It was a struggle to find work in process. You want to be in a position project in the form of a poster a laboratory setting to build on my where you can learn and develop and presentation at the IBMS Congress in biomedical science skills. One of the link that back to your 2021, and would like to get this work best ways to search out placement undergraduate education. If you published in affiliation with the RPSG opportunities is to explore are open to exploring other areas

GETTY/SHUTTERSTOCK after my dissertation is completed. All different areas of healthcare where science has a focus, then this experience has taught me how to where biomedical science has an you should get the best out of

IMAGES: combine biomedical science and research. important focus. your placement.