Private Clinic or NHS?

veraclaythorne

Hi

I'm currently looking for a new part-time job. I've worked in FE for years and last year, got a Saturday shift working on patient enquiries for the NHS.

I'm desperate to leave FE and am trying to get reception/admin work in the hospitals. I've done well getting interviews with four  over the last couple of months, but unfortunately not successful. People are pouncing on these jobs and there is always someone more experienced.

Now, I have another NHS interview for 26 Aug. I quite fancy this one and they are looking for two clerks as opposed to just one. However, yesterday I got a call regarding an application I put in for receptionist at a chiropractic clinic. This was another one I also quite fancied, and have an interview on 11 Aug.

Now, I just wanted a few opinions. As much as I quite fancy this latest job, it's obviously a private clinic, and given the current climate, it will have been adversely affected by having to close and may have to close in the near future if anymore restrictions or local lockdowns happen.

Therefore, I actually think there is a bit of a risk with this one, whereas there is much more security with applying for the clinic jobs at the NHS.

If I was offered this one, I'd have to cancel my NHS interview. If I cancel this one, I could be doing myself out of a potential job and then not get the NHS one either.

I really want to go for the NHS interview, but it's two weeks after the chiro one, and if I was offered the job there, I can't leave them hanging for over two weeks.

I know many people are struggling and I'm grateful to be getting interviews, but just wondered whether other people think going for a job at a private clinic, is rather risky and to perhaps just try and stick with the NHS?

TELLIT01

Why would you have to cancel the NHS interview?  Being interviewed on the 11th doesn't mean a decision will have been made by the 26th.  If you are offered the first job before the interview for the 2nd you will then have to make a decision.  NHS is probably the more secure of the two options.

TBagpuss

Go to the interview, see whether you get the job. If you do, make the decision then.
You may well not even hear back before the 26th, and in your interview you can ask questions about how they have been impacted by Covid. The fact that they are recruiting now, even as the furlough scheme is being withdrawn, doesn't look like a company on the verge of closure.

ToxicWomble

Also bear in mind that  employment benefits may (will) be better with the NHS although the pay may not be.
Swings and roundabouts 

Brynsam

veraclaythorne said:

Hi

I'm currently looking for a new part-time job. I've worked in FE for years and last year, got a Saturday shift working on patient enquiries for the NHS.

I'm desperate to leave FE and am trying to get reception/admin work in the hospitals. I've done well getting interviews with four  over the last couple of months, but unfortunately not successful. People are pouncing on these jobs and there is always someone more experienced.

Now, I have another NHS interview for 26 Aug. I quite fancy this one and they are looking for two clerks as opposed to just one. However, yesterday I got a call regarding an application I put in for receptionist at a chiropractic clinic. This was another one I also quite fancied, and have an interview on 11 Aug.

Now, I just wanted a few opinions. As much as I quite fancy this latest job, it's obviously a private clinic, and given the current climate, it will have been adversely affected by having to close and may have to close in the near future if anymore restrictions or local lockdowns happen.

Therefore, I actually think there is a bit of a risk with this one, whereas there is much more security with applying for the clinic jobs at the NHS.

If I was offered this one, I'd have to cancel my NHS interview. If I cancel this one, I could be doing myself out of a potential job and then not get the NHS one either.

I really want to go for the NHS interview, but it's two weeks after the chiro one, and if I was offered the job there, I can't leave them hanging for over two weeks.

I know many people are struggling and I'm grateful to be getting interviews, but just wondered whether other people think going for a job at a private clinic, is rather risky and to perhaps just try and stick with the NHS?

I think you're being wildly optimistic about how quickly decisions are made. Even if you are offered the job on the spot, there'll be a process of taking up references etc, getting a contract sorted out...go for the interview but don't cancel the NHS one. If you are offered the private clinic job, it's entirely reasonable to ask what would happen in the event of another lockdown. 

veraclaythorne

Thank you all for commenting. 

I'm used to NHS interviews and they let you know extremely quickly. A few hours, or the following morning at the latest, so I suppose that's why I'm assuming I'd hear within the two weeks. Obviously this is a different workplace, but the application so far has moved very quickly. Tbh, I'd hate the thought of being offered it, accept, have them do references and contracts, etc, and then go for the other interview and get offered that. It's very unlikely I'd be offered both, but you know what I mean.

Hopefully they do take longer than a couple of weeks to make a decision. 

Sandtree

Brynsam said:
I think you're being wildly optimistic about how quickly decisions are made. Even if you are offered the job on the spot, there'll be a process of taking up references etc, getting a contract sorted out...go for the interview but don't cancel the NHS one. If you are offered the private clinic job, it's entirely reasonable to ask what would happen in the event of another lockdown. 

Its all personal choice and I fully agree that this is really a "cross that bridge when you get to it" type situation. 

To get to the point of contracts and references you have to have accepted the offer and whilst saying you'll accept it subject to contract I am not a fan of those that carry on trying to get a different offer elsewhere to later renege on the agreement. Legally fine to do but I won't be hiring you in the future and there are only so many bridges you want to burn in life.

Not my industry or area but generally speaking private sector is more cash (salary/bonus/profit share etc) and public sector is better job security and benefits (eg pension)

thebullsback

Go NHS .......Land of Milk and Honey.

JamoLew

More like the land of S*** and P*** 
--- go spend a month on a COVID ward and I am confident you will change your views (you probably wouldn't last a day)

Smodlet

JamoLew said:

More like the land of S*** and P*** 
--- go spend a month on a COVID ward and I am confident you will change your views (you probably wouldn't last a day)

JamoLew, if that is where you or someone close to you have or has been, please accept my thanks.

veraclaythorne

The chiropractor called today to confirm the interview. She seems very hot on ensuring she's not shortlisting any time wasters, i. e. making sure it's definitely just part time hours that candidates want and won't be leaving after a couple of months for a full time job, etc.

Went for lunch with my mum today, though, and she thinks it's a terrible idea to go for this interview in case I get it, have to give up my FE hours and then the practice goes bust 🙄 So, that filled me with optimism 😂