Work shadowing and observation placements
We support requests for shadowing or observation placements to help people explore career options and gain an insight into the wide range of roles and pathways within NHS Scotland.
Placements are hosted during the academic year only. We do not host placements during school holiday periods.
Placement areas
We currently offer placements in the following specialties and, where possible, will aim to support requests for placements in other areas:
- Administration and IT
- Clinical Physiology (Cardiac Physiology)
- Decontamination Services (Medical Instruments)
- Dietetics
- Laboratory Medicine
- Medicine
- Nursing (3‑day timetabled skills workshops)
- Occupational Therapy
- Orthotics
- Orthoptics
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Radiology
- Speech and Language Therapy
You can find out more about the wide range of careers in NHS Scotland here.
Please note that placement availability depends on staff availability and service demands. We do not offer placements in Women & Children Services, Mental Health, Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine or Intensive Care.
Types of placement
School pupil work experience
Placements can be up to three days in length and may be offered as:
- shadowing or observation placements, or
- timetabled, skills‑based workshops delivered through simulation.
Adult workplace observation
We support requests for shadowing or observation days to support a college or university programme of study for Forth Valley residents attending college or university in the Board area.
Availability is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
Placement request process
All requests for placements hosted during the academic year (13 August 2025 to 26 June 2026) will be managed through an online application process.
To request a placement in Medicine or Dentistry, please complete the Medicine and Dentistry School Pupil Shadowing or Observation Placement Request Form.
For placements in all other areas, please complete the School Pupil Shadowing or Observation Placement Application Form.
Requests for work shadowing or observation days from students attending a college or university in the Forth Valley Board area, or students who are residents of the Forth Valley Board studying elsewhere, should be submitted by email to fv.we@nhs.scot, providing:
- college or university name
- year of study
- placement specialty
- preferred dates
Medical student placement requests
National and international medical students wishing to apply for an elective attachment or placement should contact our undergraduate team at
fv.undergraduatemedicaleducation@nhs.scot
providing details of their university, year of study, placement specialty and preferred dates.
Clinical attachment requests
Any queries or requests regarding clinical attachments should be sent to
fv.medicalworkforcerecruitment@nhs.scot.
Applicants should also send a copy of their CV and a covering letter stating which specialty or specialties they wish to be considered for.
Please note: This email address should only be used to request attachments for fully qualified doctors.
Learning and training programmes
Alongside placements, NHS Forth Valley works with partner organisations, colleges and universities to offer a range of learning, training and development programmes that support progression into further learning, employment and volunteering.
Project Search
Are you, or someone you know:
- aged between 18 and 24 years old
- have additional support needs such as a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions
- live in the Falkirk Council area?
Project Search is a supported one-year internship programme run by Serco, who provide a range of support services at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, Forth Valley College and Falkirk Council. It provides young people with full-time work experience within a hospital environment in a range of service areas including portering, reception and catering. Participants spend their days gaining new skills and experience in operational areas across the hospital, rather than in a traditional classroom setting.
Interns begin each morning at the project base before heading into their work placements, returning at 3.00pm for employability skills sessions focused on job searching, applications and workplace literacy.
This full-time routine helps young people build stamina, resilience and confidence, with families actively involved. Many participants go on to secure paid employment, either within the hospital or with other local employers. A crucial part of this success comes from NHS and Serco staff acting as buddies by providing daily support, encouragement and guidance.
Project Search is currently available to young people living in the Falkirk Council area. however, work to widen out access to young people living in Stirling and Clackmannanshire is also being explored. For further information contact CSBC@forthvalley.ac.uk
THRIVE to Keep Well
THRIVE to Keep Well is a 16‑week health and wellbeing programme run by NHS Forth Valley and council partners. It supports adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing challenges and helps them access volunteering, learning or employment opportunities.
Find out more about THRIVE.