Clinical Placement Experiences
Caitlin Gillespie
Ballyshannon,County Donegal
Summary
Highly motivated physiotherapy student and qualified fitness instructor. Accomplished academically and in sporting achievements. Self-motivated to seek learning opportunities and gain practical experience. Builds rapport easily and experienced working in a variety of team environments. Reputation for hard-work, punctuality and adaptability. Willingness to continue professional development.
Overview
4
4
4
4
Years of University Study
1
1
Additional Certification
Work history
Fitness Instructor
BMS Warehouse Gym
Bundoran, County Donegal
2023.07 - Current
- Provide new-member inductions, providing a welcoming facilities tour, advice on fitness timetables and overall customer support.
- Carrying out thorough gym inductions ensures correct use of weight resistance and cardiovascular equipment.
- Monitor members fitness techniques and use of equipment, emphasising proper form to minimise potential injuries and promote safety on the gym floor.
- Build positive relationships with members to encourage compliance and provide advice when sought.
- Seek opportunities to continue developing existing knowledge.
- Maintain efficiencies during peak hours by providing reception cover and administrative support including selling of gym memberships and customer advice.
- During quiet times, carry out cleaning duties to maintain gym standards and maintenance of equipment to minimise faults.
- Create and instruct a wide range of fun yet challenging exercise classes including classes such as PUMP, HIIT, AMRAP.
- Guaranteed safe exercise practice by providing thorough observation, correction and assistance throughout the class, modifying and regressing where necessary.
- Integrated warm up and cool down routine at session start and end for injury prevention and safe practice.
- Deliver higher level classes alongside a senior team member including Hyrox WODs, Phase IV Cardiac Rehab, Kid`s Classes and GAA team strength and conditioning sessions.
Physiotherapy Student in MSK/trauma
Galway University Hospital
2024.02 - 2024.05
- Final placement to be completed in the MSK trauma physio department in Galway University Hospital. To commence 18th March and finish the 10th of May 2024.
Physiotherapy Student in Surgical Respiratory
Galway University Hospital
2023.09 - 2024.11
- Researched topics outside of placement to learn additional information and ask more knowledgeable questions.
- Completed thorough subjective and objective assessments of post-op patients in the HDU setting.
- Used adapted means of communication where necessary eg. using paper and pen with a laryngectomy patient.
- Worked alongside the Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist in complex cases in ICU.
- Provided responsible patient care in line with hospital standards to ensure continued safe practice including accurate patient handovers to nursing staff, educator or other MDT members.
- Developed evidence based treatment plans that were holistic and individualised for each patient on my caseload.
- Advocated for patients when necessary.
- With the patient`s consent, included family members in treatment sessions so that they felt educated and safe in helping the patient mobilise if nursing staff weren`t available.
- Participated in a Documentation Audit that was being ran to ensure physio`s SOAP notes were in line with HSE policy.
- Attended workshops and training sessions, enhancing practical skills relevant to placement.
- Carried out weekly personal reflection on my learning needs.
Physiotherapy Student in Care of the Elderly
Milford Care Centre
, Limerick
2022.10 - 2022.12
- Carried out diligent prioritisation and planning of a mixed caseload - nursing home residents, palliative day care, in-patient palliative care, breathlessness groups.
- Developed strategies to ensure a a positive work-life balance due to the psychological impact working in palliative care can have.
- Collaborated with the palliative day care members to set meaningful SMART goals, carried out a relevant outcome measure and then delivered an individualised home exercise plan to facilitate reaching their goal.
- Instructed group falls prevention education and exercise classes for the nursing home residents providing modifications and progressions where necessary.
- Carried out breathlessness management classes for out-patients suffering with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis etc. with constant monitoring of Sp02 and using the BORG.
- Developed alternative treatment methods for those in the in-patient palliative unit to allow for a holistic approach to the physio intervention.
- Contributed to the development of a service initiative for the nursing home residents, a falls prevention education booklet.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed and carried out joint sessions with other members of the MDT when possible.
- Balanced placement objectives with sporting commitments.
Physiotherapy Student in Orthopaedics
Mayo University Hospital
2022.05 - 2022.07
- Completed safe and accurate subjective and objective assessments of patients post total hip or knee replacements from day 1 on.
- Carried out treatment plans based on hospital protocol for THR and TKR to optimise recovery and aim for discharge on day 3.
- Provided education to patients regarding safety considerations they have to follow post-op.
- Managed a caseload that also included trauma patients eg. hip fractures.
- Completed onward referrals to out-patient physio and handovers to respite physio where necessary.
- Consistently documented legible and comprehensive SOAP notes, adhering to HSE standards.
- Attended physiotherapy in-services to facilitate continued professional development.
- Welcomed learning opportunities such as scrubbing in for a THR & TKR to get a further understanding of the surgical procedure and anatomy involved.
- Worked as part of the MDT, linking in with occupational therapists on a daily basis.
Education
Leaving Certificate -
Colaiste Cholmcille
Ballyshannon, County Donegal 2018.09 - 2020.06
QQI Level 5 Exercise & Fitness - Fitness Instructor
CMIT
Online 2023.08 - 2023.10
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy -
University of Limerick
2020.09 -
Skills
- Exercise physiology
- Fitness progress monitoring and feedback
- Excellent communicator
- Evidence based practice
- Person centred care
- Adherence to local standards
- Clinical reasoning
- Exercise based rehabilitation
Certification
- CPR Training Certification
- Manual Handling & People Handling
- Module 2 Core Consultation Skills
HSEland Courses;
- Information Governance
- AMRIC Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
- AMRIC Personal Protective Equipment
- Cyber Security Awareness
- AMRIC Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance
- AMRIC Basics of Infection Prevention and Control
- Dignity at Work (Revised 2022)
- Communicating Effectively through Open Disclosure
- Your Safety, Health and Welfare in Healthcare
- Manual Handling and People Handling e-learning Theory Module
- The Fundamentals of GDPR
- Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse
- Do the Right Thing: HSE Risk and Incident Management
- An Introduction to Children First
- Putting on and taking off PPE in community healthcare settings
- Putting on and taking off PPE in acute healthcare settings
- Induction Assessment
- AMRIC Hand Hygiene
- AMRIC Standard and Transmission Based Precautions
Extracurricular
- Club senior ladies gaelic player 2015-present
- UL O`Connor Cup player 2022-present
- Donegal LGFA Senior player 2023
- Donegal LGFA Underage player 2014-2019
- Hyrox Pro Women`s Doubles 6th place in u29
- Volunteer with underage ladies GAA teams
References
1. Esther O`Flaherty Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist, Galway University Hospital
Placement Educator
Contact: esther.oflaherty2@hse.ie
2. Karen McCreesh Physiotherapy Professor, University of Limerick
FYP Supervisor
Contact: karen.mccreesh@ul.ie
3. Lorraine Smyth Gym Director, BMS Warehouse Gym
Employer
Contact: info@bmswarehousegym.ie
Timeline
Physiotherapy Student in MSK/trauma
Galway University Hospital
2024.02 - 2024.05
Physiotherapy Student in Surgical Respiratory
Galway University Hospital
2023.09 - 2024.11
QQI Level 5 Exercise & Fitness - Fitness Instructor
CMIT
2023.08 - 2023.10
Fitness Instructor
BMS Warehouse Gym
2023.07 - Current
Physiotherapy Student in Care of the Elderly
Milford Care Centre
2022.10 - 2022.12
Physiotherapy Student in Orthopaedics
Mayo University Hospital
2022.05 - 2022.07
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy -
University of Limerick
2020.09 -
Leaving Certificate -
Colaiste Cholmcille
2018.09 - 2020.06