Anyone here work for the NHS? Any point in me applying with no experience?

greyskittles

Hi,

I left university at the end of January and have since been stuck as to what I should do next! I still have my place at uni if I want to go back... but I think it's finally time I got myself a job until I decide. I have A levels (As and Bs) and was at University doing English Literature for 6-months but it definitely wasn't for me. I have never worked before. I'm 19...

There are a few NHS vacancies that interest me, and I'm wondering... Is it more likely that someone experienced or better qualified than me will get these jobs? They're things like Nursing Health Care Assistants, Pathology Lab Assistants and Clerical Assistants (salaries of between £12K and £15K).

Also, if anyone has experience of the interview procedure for this type of post, then I'd really appreciate any pointers!

Thanks

welshman10

I work for the NHS and I wouldn't recommend it at all to be honest, but maybe that's just the dept I work in

seven-day-weekend

Does it ask for experience on the person specification thta comes with the application form? If so, there's not much point in applying unless you can demonstrate that you have the experience.

The experience doesn't have to be gained in an employed role though, you might have gained it through voluntary work. I got a decent job with the City Council from having been a Church Treasurerer for four years, which demonstrated I coud handle money, manage the paperwork and was trustworthy.

SeaBreeze

Hi, I work for the NHS and find applying for jobs really easy because it's all done online and the site saves your application details so you only need to make minor changes to suit the different roles.
You wanted to know about the process. HR will pass on to the interviewer all the applications minus any personal details, eg name, age & address. The interviewer will then select who they want to interview and if selected you will be invited for an interview. I've always had 3 people present at my interviews. They will ask each applicant the same questions and give a score for each answer (which we never see!). Then if you're succesful you will have to wait for a CRB check, references, health screening and id checks. The whole process takes several weeks.
As to what role I only know the nursing side and it's not for everyone! You will need to consider the shift pattern (nights, weekends,bank holidays, lates & early shifts), the fact that we generally don't get paid overtime but have time off in lieu instead. We often have to do extra work if someone's off sick and are often late getting off duty. As to lack of experience, highlight your communication skills, if nursing say you want to gain experience prior to applying for nurse training and I'm sure your university skills will show you are educated to a high standard.
Hope this helps!

Kantankrus_Mare

A few years ago I applied for a job with the NHS in the unit where they sterilise all the operation tools and lay tham all out for various procedures.

No experience was required and I realised when I started that they struggled to get staff.

I hated it!! :eek:

Not so much the job but the training was inadequate and there was an awful lot of backbiting and politics to deal with. I stuck it for 3 months and then went back to my old job as a waitress and ended up being promoted to manager. Am much happier now.

parkside_stroller

I don't know about the clerical or lab based services but you don't necessarily need any experience to get a job as a nursing assistant (sometimes these jobs are advertised as trainee healthcare assistant).

If interested in the nursing side of things, I'd suggest you apply for the Nurse Bank (a bit like an agency but run by the nhs) to gain some experience before applying for a permanent post. This might suit you if you want to stay at university but earn some extra cash while getting experience in something.

Another advantage of this is it allows you to go to different areas to see what you like or don't like doing - it's also an opportunity to make an impression on people who may be advertising posts in the future. The way it works is you are only paid for shifts you work and you put your availability in to the office so they can offer you work. You may be offered shifts by the day or week in a department).
Other untrained work in direct patient areas may include for example Occupational Therapy Assistant in which you would assist an OT in assessing people's daily living skills and assist them in programmes designed to develop skills e.g. in Mental Health work this could include taking people out to the shops to choose/buy food, return to base, organise what is needed to cook etc. If you think about breaking down what you do in any activity in a day you will get an idea of what could be asked to help people with.

If you look at the wide variety of professional roles in the NHS you will also become aware of the possibility of going for other untrained posts which might open you up to the possibility of training for a career in the NHS.

You didn't say which area you live in but if you are in England or Wales, here is a link to NHS jobs. Scotland is here.

Applying for any job in the nhs will involve completing in disclosure form in which you declare any criminal convictions etc
http://www.crb.gov.uk/

http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/

Sagaris

I had a job as a Pathology Lab Assistant and loved it - the people there were really friendly and although the pay was pants, I can honestly say it's one of the best jobs I've had.
I did have some previous relevant experience but none of the other Lab Assistants did (there were 4 of us) but we were trained really well. They even asked me (repeatedly!) to train further but I couldn't afford the drop in salary (I was there part time but I earned more from my other part time job).
Eventually I left to get a full time job elsewhere.
My advice - have a go and fill out a form or two!
Good luck!

greyskittles

Thanks for all the information. In case I didn't make it clear in my first post, I left university at the end of January so am currently seeking a job as I don't really want to rush into the uni thing again (though I DO want to go back sometime in the future)!

To be honest, all I've done for the past few years is study study study. I'm not sure who I would put as a reference... I didn't really have much of a relationship with any of my A level tutors, or university ones for that matter, and I don't have any past employers.

I did some work experience at a school but that was three years ago and nothing since. It seems every job that I've seen requires experience... Argh. I think the only thing that I might be able to do is domestic work. My mum keeps saying that they're unlikely to take on someone who's nearly 20 as a trainee-whatever.

Negativity aside, I guess it's worth submitting an application - I don't have anything to lose!

ohreally

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/career.shtml

Have you considered something like training in medical phyisics?

cannycat

My first proper job on graduating was with the NHS - and though the pay was appalling, I learned so much in that job that stood me in good stead for all of the jobs I've done since. When I left I didn't think I'd ever go back, but in 2005 a job came up with a different hospital and I went back and am really happy - like any large organisation it depends so much on the department you work in. There is lots to be said for working for the NHS - and though the salaries for some jobs are not the best, and in some hospitals morale is currently low, there are other benefits. You'll never have to worry about people not having heard of your employer; and some stores and companies do offer NHS discounts or special deals. (Car insurance, some clothes shops etc.)

The NHS family is huge though and there are hundreds of careers you might not have thought of. It might also be worth contacting your local hospital to see if they do a careers day - ours did one recently.

Good luck with the applications!