Getting an NHS band 3 role without much experience

thatoldchestnut

Hello,

I have been looking on and off at band 3 admin roles within the NHS. Maybe my applications are not up to scratch, but it seems as though it's quite difficult to get jobs at this level when you haven't worked in the NHS before and don't have specific/particular qualifications.

I have a couple of years of admin experience as a temp until about eight or nine years ago, at which point I did an MA in Library & Information Management, then I got a public-facing job in a public library. I want a change and fancy working in the NHS in the longer term. I'd be happy with an admin role really, but I like the fact it's a large organisation and there's plenty of scope for professional growth and improvement depending on the remit of your role.

Is there anything I could do to improve my chances of successfully applying for a band 3 post? Would I be better getting in at band 2 and then working my way up from there? The initial salary is £14,297pa and therefore quite a pay cut for me which would be a struggle, and I doubt that I'd be able to negotiate a higher starting increment. At the moment I am studying towards an ECDL Adanced, which seems to be sought after when it comes to health service jobs, so I'm hoping that will help.

Any advice gratefully received, as always...

ohreally

thatoldchestnut wrote: »

I did an MA in Library & Information Management

Why not look at librarian roles, they start at band 5?

http://www.nhsemployers.org/~/media/Employers/Documents/Pay%20and%20reward/Information_Services.pdf

thatoldchestnut

ohreally wrote: »

Why not look at librarian roles, they start at band 5?

http://www.nhsemployers.org/~/media/Employers/Documents/Pay%20and%20reward/Information_Services.pdf

Well, yes, that'd naturally be my first choice, but there seems to be little in that line of work where I live. I'd rather stay in a place I like than have a 'dream' job in a place I don't, so I'm considering other options, particularly as it is possible my current job may be coming to an end before very long, so time is a bit of a factor!

Would be interested to see if anyone else who was new to the NHS when applying for non-entry level jobs experienced difficulty getting interviews. Like I said, perhaps it's my application or personal statement that needs improving.

panika

Hi,
If you meet all essential and some desirable criteria in person specification you shouldn't have a problem in getting interview.
You can get band 3 job, you need to have experience i similar or the same job, but for different organisation.

tomtontom

Your personal statement needs to focus on the competencies - state the competency, give an example of when you have demonstrated it. It should be pretty simple getting an interview for a band 3 role - you just need to address each competency directly and succinctly.

Loopy28

You do get a lot of jobs that go internally in the NHS in those sorts of roles.

I do that the NHS score applications based on the examples you give of how you meet the essential criteria. When making applications ensure you given an explanation of each criteria, how you meet them with solid examples.

WolfSong2000

May be worth exploring temp roles via agencies in the first instance just to get your foot in the door...that's how I managed it (unintentionally, originally). I started out as Band 3 procurement a little over a year ago with no procurement experience, but admin experience. A year later I was a Band 6 in procurement. Once you're "in" the NHS, you'll find it much easier to move around.

Dizzy_Ditzy

It's worth going on via the clerical bank too if you can, to help get you some NHS experience.

If roles aren't already lined up for someone internally, (which happens a lot) then the demands of the role being advertised are such that they generally want someone to come in and hit the ground running

You'll stand more chance of getting interviewed by matching your application to the job description. Very time consuming but worth it if that's what you really want.

The NHS isn't the place to work that it used to be. A lot of band 3's are doing band 4 roles. I've just quit my job as a 4 and they're replacing me with a 3

Good luck

Miss_Moneysaver

And a lot of band 5's are doing band 6's roles and so on...NHS is not what it was :-(

JustOnce

With the greatest of respect, I think you're underselling yourself for a grade three position when you have an MA.

I have a friend with the same qualification as you, she's only just qualified with the MA (although granted she has assistant librarian experience of several years) and she's now earning around 25/30k as an NHS librarian.

I'm not saying don't apply for this job, but certainly do apply for your dream jobs even if you don't think you'll get them (and I'm sure you could successfully argue that a grade 3 NHS admin job would provide you with practical skills that would be applicable an NHS librarian job, alongside the masters).

Good luck!

easylife73

I recently applied for a Band 3 NHS job with no NHS background and was offered the job. Didn't take it, as I didn't feel it was the right fit for me on reflection, but a colleague who also has no NHS experience was offered the same role this week, so yes it is possible.