NHS interview and questions

Nikki2009

Hi everyone

So ive got an interview for healthcare assistant on thursday abd trying to be prepared as i can. Last september i managed to get a position on the NHS bank staff and im doing my training next wekk, this interview coning up is a permanent position so would me being on the bank affect my chances?

Any interview questions anyone can think of would be great. The job posting didnt state hours or shifts which they usually do and didnt state what department it would be in just says varies so im hoping i can be abit flexible with hours as i have 2 small kiddies but really want to work for NHS. On the website which was linked to the job postinf it says handover 9am hmm. Any help would be greatfully appreciated as im so nervous

Thank you:j

BorisThomson

Look at the job description and pick out the competencies, then think of examples of when you have demonstrated these.

The hospital will expect you to be flexible, it's very unlikely you'll get set shifts but more likely you'll be contracted for x hours and then be on a rota. Being registered for bank work will not affect your application.

Nikki2009

Thanks for the info, i thought that about the shifts butmoat job descriptions say rolling rota etc this just states full and part time.

aife

Actually most NHS job ads. don't give precise details about shift times / patterns , which I've always found a bit annoying. It does usually say if it's a 24 hr service .
I'm a bit confused about the '9 am handover' bit. Is the job in a GP surgery , or a clinic ?
You need to be clear about what hours you are able to work and make sure it's agreed at the outset. You might get a vague comment about flexibility and then find your new manager can't accommodate your preferences, especially if it's an inpatient service and/or there are several staff already there with flexible working requests.
It's a long time since I had an interview but you'll probably get scenario type questions - 'what would you do if ...' , and you're garaunteed to be asked something about equal opportunities / diversity
Is the Bank you're registered with the same Trust ?

CheBee

The bank is flexible meaning you book when you want to work so it shouldn’t affect your chances.

Some Trusts have a pool of nurses/HCA's who are employed on a full time basis but they literally go out to wherever the wards/departments are short. But that doesn't explain the 9am handover unless it's for outpatients perhaps.

Some questions may be around clinical governance, the old 'tell us about yourself' should feature along with 'why do you want this job'. It might be nice to read around the 6 C's and how you will use them when providing care. Even if they don't ask you, you could try to include some of the aspects of 6 C's in your answers. As aife said, scenario questions will most definitely pop up. Think about how you would handle a situation where you are already busy with a task and you’re asked to do another 20 by the nurse, how would you handle it? Remember to mention communication, team work, flexibility and stuff like that.

Nikki2009

Thanks for reply... the bank is within the same trust but different hospital. The job posting was really vague and usually they state hether its shift work and roat. Its not a gp surgery the actual job post and interview is on ACU watd but job advert states various posts. The 9am handover is strange the link takes me to a website where it explains what acute medicine is , has a few formats like medical rota, amu information etc and 1 with handover times.

t0rt0ise

Usually the questions are based on the person specification. So read it and think what they mean by the items on it and how you meet those requirements.

Cheeseface

In the NHS they always recommend informal visits prior to interview. Please try and do this and you will find out all about the rota and the post’s responsibilities.

Part of the vagueness is because they’ll often use a generic HCA template as applicants are expected to do informal visits and use initiative. If they are inundated with applicants but have met you at an informal visit, they’ll actively find your application and you’ll be an advantage if you have already made contact.

Nikki2009

Thanks for the info, i generally check the nhs website and mostly the posts are not vague and do offer informal visits but the post i applied for didnt offer no visits or state hours or department the post if for it just says “various posts within the trust”

[Deleted User]

Nikki2009 wrote: »

“various posts within the trust”

Gosh - while I hope it comes off for you , ^^^That's a bit of an immediate worry if I'm being honest.

I would definately ask if they are building a talent pool as one of my questions to them.

aife

Nikki2009 wrote: »

Thanks for the info, i generally check the nhs website and mostly the posts are not vague and do offer informal visits but the post i applied for didnt offer no visits or state hours or department the post if for it just says “various posts within the trust”

It's quite common for Trusts to interview for more than one post at a time , it's more efficient given the costs/hassle of advertising and setting up interview panels etc.
Have you been doing bank shifts ? Can you ask if they have any shifts at the hospital mentioned ? Would be good for you to have some idea of what it's like.
Some places encourage informal visits , some aren't so keen