Enlightening Experience At Mellish House For Medical Student Jacob
When Jacob Miculob began studying for a BSc in Biomedical Science, he realised that gaining clinical experience in a live environment would bring his studies to life - which is where Mellish House came in.
Learning Practical Skills Alongside Theory-Based Studies
Through his mum Josephine, ‘Joy’, who works as a carer at Mellish House Residential Home, Jacob he discovered that he could join the bank of temporary carers who support the care home team by working flexible hours. This would enable him to work on an ad hoc basis to fit in with his degree course, also giving him the opportunity to learn relevant skills and interact with people alongside his theory-based studies.
With the guidance of the team, Jacob began to learn some of the key techniques used within healthcare - for example, how to approach and gain consent from residents receiving care - observing first and then interacting with residents at their bedside. Jacob engaged with community nurses when they visited the home, and they encouraged him, teaching him important skills such as taking blood. He also learned the importance of each individual’s unique care plan and how it forms the basis of the person-centred care given to all residents at Caring Homes.
Experience at Mellish House Supports Physician Associate Application
Having successfully gained his BSc in Biomedical Science from King's College in London, Jacob applied for a postgraduate Physician Associate (PA) degree at Hertfordshire University. Designed for science graduates, it features intensive clinical training and prepares students to support doctors in hospitals and GP surgeries, focusing on medical history, physical examinations, and treatment plans. When he applied for the MSc course, Jacob was able to talk about his clinical experience at Mellish House, working alongside community nurses and nurse practitioners.
The fact that Jacob had gained an understanding of how Mellish House supports residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s helped him to secure placements in the field of mental health during his master’s degree, including time spent with the Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service in Hertfordshire and with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust which provides mental health and learning difficulty services. Jacob also gained experience as a Physician Associate student at The Orchard Nursing Home in St Albans, part of the Caring Homes group.
After finishing his MSc PA, Jacob sat his Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam in Liverpool and has applied for his registration, which will enable him to transition into a role as a Physician Associate. Meanwhile, Jacob is back at Mellish as a relief carer while he seeks a permanent role, either in mental health, in a hospital position and or supporting GPs with home visits.
A Strong Foundation and Greater Understanding
Jacob feels that throughout his studies and work experience, he has benefited from the support of the team at Mellish House, community nurses and his family (his mum Joy gained nursing experience in the Philippines). He explained, “Being in Mellish House has helped me to obtain a strong foundation and I’ve been able to develop my skills around residents’ care, especially around promoting dementia awareness and supporting individuals who experience behavioral changes. My time at Mellish House gave me the most realistic overview of how best to safeguard vulnerable adults.“
The team has been delighted to support Jacob and welcomes students who wish to join on a similar placement. Meanwhile, residents are sure to be watching his progress carefully after he revealed an unexpected talent during the Christmas period. Jacob has played the violin since the age of 7 and toured the care home playing for residents in lounges and their rooms, bringing a huge amount of joy to all who heard him!
