How does NHS / PCT Interview Scoring ?

piersuk

My wife has an appointment with the local Primary Care Trust at the end of the week and obviously she is swatting like mad.

An advantage would be to know how they score the interviews; I would imagine that being NHS it will be a generic system and probably similar throught the organisation.

Anyone give any tips to answering questions to score maximum points? :rolleyes:

Thanks

Spirit_2

There is no generic scoring in the NHS, and the PCT may not have a formalised scoring system at all. If it is a senior management post it may include psychometrics but she should have been advised what the interview will consist of.

What sort of role is it? If it is non clinical then alongside demonstrating your wife's specific skills , being able to articulate how she can in this role contribute to the PCTs objectives is usually helpful. Some knowledge of current national NHS management initiatives will be important, with more depth if a presentation is required, so swatting up(on the relevant stuff) is good.

piersuk

Thank, this has to be one of the best forums for relevant answers from knowledable member. :beer:

Back to the point.... The job is non clerical, practice based commisioning manager.

There is no presentation required but a pre-interview task has been set which she is completing (hopefully now) as I type this.

I will pass on all the tips, anything else would be appreciated.:T

kittykitten

It very much depends, as Spirit says, what type of job it is. I know the PCT I work for operates a different interview criteria system depending on the seniority of the post and whether or not it's a clinical post.

Usually in the NHS what you find is that whatever scoring system they use it will be based around the person specification which should have been attached to the job application (sometimes it's included in the job description, sometimes it's a seperate document). Did your wife apply through the online NHS jobs service? If she did & she logs back into the website she can see the application form she submitted along with the original advert and the supporting documents (person spec & JD usually).

I was always told to go back through my application and compare it to the person specification, which should detail which attributes are essential for the job and which are desirable. You can then see which your wife has already covered on your application form, and make sure that she focuses at interview on showing that she can meet any of the person specification that she didn't mention, or perhaps mentioned but not so strongly on the original application.

I've been on NHS interview panels before and what we've usually done is interviewed then scored at the end taking into account both application and interview, and chosen who to appoint form that info. Also tell her to try and show that she's done a little research about that particular PCT - have a look at the PCT website and try and get some info into the interview that shows she's done this, it makes her look keen! And make sure she goes prepared with a few questions to ask - it's standard format in NHS interviews, as with most public services, for the interviewers to ask at the end if you have any questions for the panel.

NB: if it's a clinical role, showing that she's aware of relevant issues/protocols/health service drivers always helps!

HTH

piersuk

Thanks - My sentiments about this forum are reinforced. :j

A few questions.. I'm sure she would have thought of that but I will prime her anyway.

Thanks again

Spirit_2

OK - popular NHS think tank with relevant briefing on practice based commissioning - show interviewer that you really have done your homework http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/briefings/practicebased.html

type
"world class commissioning" into google and read the DoH vision or a summary of it.

type
"next stage review" into google and read a summary of Darzi's report and consider asking the interviewers how it will impact on their commissioning strategy.

Hope this helps - no need to ask questions about the salary at interview, look pay bands terms and conditions up on NHS employers website as NHS terms and conditions are all the same for non medical staff.

Kigo

I have an interview next with my Local NHS PCT my role that I applied for is buyer/procurement role involving sourcing goods and services for the NHS PCT.

Basically I have knowledge in purchasing and supply chain and I have gone through the job specification which am now familiar with.

Can anyone advise me what kind of interview questions to expect.
I have never been interviewed before in this area.
Please advice
Thank you

butterfly72

You could ask about the future of the PCT and the job, considering liberating the nhs has signified PCTs are to be abolished in 2013 with commissioning to be transfered to GP consortium.

anamenottaken

butterfly72 wrote: »

You could ask about the future of the PCT and the job, considering liberating the nhs has signified PCTs are to be abolished in 2013 with commissioning to be transfered to GP consortium.

Agreed.
As it seems to be buying/procuring "goods and services" rather than commissioning clinical services, is this working on the provider side of the organisation? Even before the change in government and its liberation (!) policy, Provider arms were already scheduled to be removed from direct PCT control so their plans could be well advanced and why they are able to recruit.
If it is the commissioning side of the PCT, it is likely that the post is on a fixed term/temporary basis and not permanent.