Natalia Wierzbowska blogs about her placement year as a research support worker in neurology:
During the summer between my second and third year at university, I applied for a placement as a research support worker and was delighted to join the neurology research team at Northern Care Alliance. This was especially exciting for me as neurology has always been one of my key areas of interest.
Biomedical science covers such a broad range of scientific and medical disciplines, which has allowed me to explore many different career paths throughout my degree. I have always been passionate about improving healthcare through clinical research and clinical trials, but I found it difficult to choose between patient facing roles and laboratory based research. This placement offered the perfect combination of both. It provided me with the opportunity to develop new skills, gain valuable hands on experience, and better understand the type of career that would suit me in the future.
Building the foundations of research delivery
Throughout my 12 months at NCA, I have worked on both observational and interventional clinical trials, as well as leading a biobank collection for multiple sclerosis studies. As this was my first role in healthcare, I was eager to put the knowledge and theory I had gained during my studies into real world practice.
As part of my training, I completed the Care Certificate, which helped ensure I had the skills and knowledge required to work safely with patients while adhering to healthcare policies and procedures. During my placement, I developed a wide range of practical and transferable skills, including venepuncture, cannulation, blood sample processing, and conducting clinical trial visits in line with study protocols.
My daily responsibilities included screening patients for eligibility, obtaining informed consent, collecting biological samples, processing and storing laboratory specimens, and maintaining accurate research documentation. These experiences provided me with a strong foundation in research delivery and significantly increased my confidence, both professionally and personally.
Contributing to clinical trials
As I progressed in my role, I had the opportunity to work on an interventional clinical trial called EXPERT – ALS. My responsibilities included sample processing and supporting study visits, allowing me to gain a greater appreciation of the complexity and coordination involved in delivering clinical research.
Participating in these visits gave me insight into how different assessments are carefully scheduled and carried out according to the study protocol. With each visit involving a range of physical, cognitive, and laboratory assessments, no two days were quite the same, which made the role both interesting and rewarding.
One of the things I enjoyed most during my placement was working with a wide range of people, all with different experiences and expertise. Everyone was incredibly supportive and always willing to share their knowledge, which helped me learn and grow throughout the year. It also taught me that there is no single career path in research or healthcare, and that everyone develops at their own pace. This was reassuring as a student and gave me confidence in my own journey.
Looking back on my placement year, I am incredibly grateful for the experience. It has strengthened my interest in research, expanded my skill set, and given me a clearer understanding of the career opportunities available within healthcare and clinical research. Most importantly, it has shown me how research can directly impact patient care and contribute to advances in medicine, reinforcing my desire to be part of that process in the future.