All students must adhere to the UK Working Time Regulations whilst completing a minimum of 2300 placement hours before the end of the programme.
Students in all years should normally work 40 hours per week made up of 37.5 clinical hours and 2.5 self-directed reflective hours.
Students in all years can make up hours by working, on average, up to 48 hours per week during agreed placement blocks:
In placements with long (11.5 hour) shifts, this means working up to a total of fifteen shifts every four weeks for the duration of the placement or until you are back on track with hours. An example shift pattern may look like this:
In placements with fixed daytime opening hours, it may not be possible to make up hours unless additional out-of-hours shifts are available. These areas typically have a 37.5 hour full-time shift pattern already.
Third year students only may have further options made available to them through discussion with and authorisation by your Academic Assessor and Practice Leads. Students must not approach placement areas directly to arrange any additional placement time.
For any students who do not reach 2300 hours by the end of the programme, we will make a programme extension request to the funding body on your behalf. This will delay your completion of the course and you may not graduate at the same time as your peers. Please note the funding body’s decision to fund a programme extension is outside DMU’s control and will only be granted provided that you:
Have legitimate and evidenced reasons for missing out on these hours during the programme.
Can demonstrate evidence that you took all reasonable steps to complete the hours in time by following the guidance above and avoiding unauthorised absences.
