NHS 999 Call Hander interview

missprice

The NHS does not all over the country have a list of the exact same questions to be asked of each candidate in exact order.
Each manager has plenty of leeway to alter any question. However the same type of question will be asked and in this case it will be regarding calmness and other qualities that are needed in the post, in a different post maybe attention to detail or steady hands would be required, either way its no secret what type of questions will be asked, neither is it against any law that I know of to disclose what job you do, this is not 007 here, just a NHS job.

Mistral001 wrote: »

Oh come on. This is just a speculative post hoping that somebody would be foolish enough to tell a complete stranger what questions they were asked for such a post. Put it another way if the person interviewing the OP was to know what they were doing would they be impressed?

mikey463

Thanks for the replies (most of them)

I have done lots of prep for the interview and just thought I would see what happens if I post for advice on a website like this.

Cheers

matttye

Mistral001 wrote: »

Oh come on. This is just a speculative post hoping that somebody would be foolish enough to tell a complete stranger what questions they were asked for such a post. Put it another way if the person interviewing the OP was to know what they were doing would they be impressed?

You're being absolutely ridiculous.

People ask for tips in the run up to job interviews all the time, whatever kind of job it is that they're applying for. Recruiters would respect that someone is trying to come prepared.

jobbingmusician

I have no idea what they might ask, but I tried thinking about what I might want if I was employing someone, or if I rang 999 in a panic.

I'd like someone who spoke slowly and clearly, without a difficult to understand accent. Although I suspect a call handler might be the person who simply decides whether to transfer to police, ambulance or fire, it would be nice to have someone with common sense - if I rang up and there was gas everywhere, for example, it would be good to have someone who reminded me not even to switch an electric light on. Who, where relevant, asked if I was safe making the call and reminded me (e.g.) to stand well back on the hard shoulder of a motorway. Who appreciated that I was likely to be in some degree of shock myself, and used clear directions when helping me, but didn't come across as bossy or patronising.

Get all that right, and I'd be queuing up to offer you a post!

KiKi

Mistral001 wrote: »

This is not a request for what type of question will be asked in an interview, but what type of question will be asked at an interview for a very specific job. The OP, in my view, should not have mentioned the precise job title.

In almost every single specific job there will be an element of confidentiality, be it for clients, customers, employees or suppliers. This is an NHS call handler job. No-one is required to keep that secret; it's not GCHQ.

If we don't know the job, we can't advise - and I'd commend anyone I was interviewing for having the nous to prepare properly.

Good luck OP - let us know how you get on. Or not, depending on whether you want to keep it confidential.

rjhammond91

mikey463 wrote: »

Hi there

I am applying to be a NHS 999 Call Handler and I have just passed the assessment stage. I have got the interview coming up and I wanted to see if anyone had any advice regarding any questions I might receive? I am thinking of as many examples as possible using the job profile but any extra advice would be great.

Thank you

Mike

Hi Mikey,

Welcome to the forum!

Well done on passing the assessment stage.

I'm a 999 call taker and the only real advice for you is to really think of the calls you could potentially receive. You need to be confident and to not get flustered easily.

Just think, people get very emotional in a stressful situation, you'll be dealing with cardiac arrests, child cardiac arrests, fittings, suicide attempts, RTC's etc.. the list could go on and on!

You need to be able to explain how you would deal with these highly emotional calls and how you would cope with it.

Unfortunately, I can't really give you any more advice.. Just make sure you want to the job for the right reasons not just because the pay isn't pants!!

If you want to send me a pm and ask anything else then feel free!

Fireflyaway

I used to answer 999 calls for BT as an operator. Its the operator who answers first and then connects the call to correct emergency service. Sometimes providing the address and also listening into the call to clarify anything for the emergency services, if they can't understand what the caller is saying etc.

I know your role will be a bit different but there are some similarities. Being calm under pressure and not easily shocked or upset. The ability to remain focused to what you need to do. Sometimes there will be a lot of shouting in the background or the caller doesn't make sense as they are so distressed. So you need the ability not to get distracted easily.

A certain amount of assertiveness as sometimes you will need to be quite firm with the callers. Accuracy. Make sure you clarify exactly what the caller means - repeat back to them - learn the phonetic alphabet!

Of course confidentiality is important and the ability to follow your procedures, as you will get bogus callers / repeat callers etc and must deal with them as instructed.

They may ask what you would do if you found yourself upset. Talking to colleagues / getting some fresh air / a drink of water etc - providing you tell your supervisor where you are going.

Any call handling job you need the ability to speak clearly and concisely and good timekeeping is very very important.

mikey463

I got the job

I start the training in September

ohreally

Well done & good luck.

trinidadone

drinks on you then, now the fun begins with the inductions, and training. so pleased for you, i know your make a great handler, keep us updated if you can