NHS Clerical Officer Assessment

bubble13

Hi everyone

I have been invited to an assessment for a clerical officer position, has anyone else had one of these? I'm not sure what to expect.

I also have a question regarding pay, the position is for a band 2 role, it's between (roughly) £14000 and £17000. If I was successful would I have to start at the first pay level? I'm currently earning £16,500 so I'd prefer not to have a pay decrease. That said, there is no career development opportunities where I am so I guess a lower salary for a better job isn't that much of a trade. Would it be rude to ask this in the interview?

pioneer22

Hi,

Normally it says on the advert but candidates who are external to the NHS usually start on the lowest pay grade.

Sorry

WolfSong2000

As above you usually come in on the lowest pay grade and get incremental pay rises each year. Once you're "in", though, it will be easier to look around and apply for other, hopefully better paid jobs. It all depends on how ambitious you are. I started working for an NHS Trust (via an agency) last November as a band 3, then another job, same Trust as Band 4 earlier this year. Now I have change trusts and getting paid as a band 6 and being told I am doing the work of a band 7 (this is in procurement). On the other hand, there is a chap I work with who has worked in the same department for over 3 years and is still being paid as a band 3....so at the end of the day it's all down to how ambitious and driven you are and what you want to achieve.

bubble13

That's brilliant, Wolfsong.

I would say I'm ambitious, I'm just weighing up the pros and cons...

I have worked in the same job for almost four years, any higher jobs require a technical background, so there is no movement for me. However, it is decent pay and I receive a slight rise and bonus each year, plus it's permanent and they are good with holidays etc.

It's just deciding whether to take the leap :-( (hoping that I actually get the position!)

cleopatra65

A Band 2 NHS post is considered an 'entry level' position so it's likely you'd have to start at the bottom, although if you can prove (& if your new manager agrees) you have relevant & provable experience you could potentially negotiate starting at a higher point than the bottom. It's unlikely though so you need to weigh up long term possible gain with your current employment. There are literally hundreds of people queuing up to get into public authority positions, especially entry level posts, but the NHS is under austerity measures too so can pick & choose.......& do.


Think long & hard about possible long term benefits to changing employers, the NHS wants, expects & gets its pound of flesh from its employees these days - but you'll never be bored and there is a lot of potential to 'get ahead' if you're a grafter & prepared to put in the effort.

WolfSong2000

bubble13 wrote: »

That's brilliant, Wolfsong.

I would say I'm ambitious, I'm just weighing up the pros and cons...

I have worked in the same job for almost four years, any higher jobs require a technical background, so there is no movement for me. However, it is decent pay and I receive a slight rise and bonus each year, plus it's permanent and they are good with holidays etc.

It's just deciding whether to take the leap :-( (hoping that I actually get the position!)

Well, I can only go on my own (somewhat limited) experience, but I have found that if you show willingness ad ability then there are opportunities to progress. Plus, once you're "in" you can move about, both within the same trust as well as other trusts. In my experience attitude has counted for just as much or more than actual experience. I got one job purely on the basis that the manager had previously dealt with me and liked my attitude and ability to get the job done.

All my NHS jobs to date have been "temp" through agencies, but in each case the manager has wanted to keep me as long as possible and it has always been my choice to move on. I've noticed that once other NHS managers see you've worked/are working for NHS already, then this counts for an awful lot.

indsty

As far as your meeting for assessment goes - you are likely to be asked the usual sort of questions, especially those about confidentiality - how you would ensure it, what does it actually mean etc etc. Also working under pressure, communicating with members of the public/nurses/doctors etc.

Once in as a Band 2 you are in a good position to either move on to a Band 3 in that department, or apply for other posts that come up. You can certainly reach Band 4 with good clerical skills. You also get the benefit of a good pension scheme.