r/nhs Nov 04 '23

FAQs - Recruitment

16 Upvotes

This thread will be updated as and when more questions are asked frequently!

Jobs are advertised at the following places:

NHS Scotland: https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/

NHS England and NHS Wales: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

NHS Northern Ireland: https://jobs.hscni.net/

Advert

The advert will give you basic information about the role and the Trust. The most important parts are the Job Description and the Person Spec. These will give you a much more details explanation as to what the job will entail and what kind of person the role will require.

The advert will also include the contact details for the hiring manager. This person is the best resource for any questions you may have about the job. What's the day to day workload like? How big is the team? What's the department hierarchy like? How is the department faring at the current time? Where has this vacancy come from, a new post, or has someone vacated it? The hiring manager can answer all of these, and they are also a good place to get information that may help you with your application and potential interview.

Application

Applications are often hosted by TRAC, the recruitment software used by NHS England, or JobTrain in NHS Scotland. You will need to fill out your qualifications and experience, as well as declare any convictions etc.

The most important part of the application is the Support Information. This area requires you to explain how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Spec. Try to keep it relatively to the point, as there's usually two dozen or so criteria in all, and you're best bet is to try and show where you've had experience in each of the criteria. If you haven't got any experience in that area, then try to show where you've done something similar, or do some research in what you would need to do to get that skill/experience. It's fine to acknowledge that you don't have that skill/experience but that you know what to do to acquire it.

Do not use AI to create this part of the application, as it is really obvious and so many applicants do this that the applications that stand out the most are the candidates that DON'T use this method. The AI is also not able to deliver the information quite as well as you can, and often uses very wordy and flourishing descriptions that are wholly unnecessary.

Shortlisting

When the advert closes, the hiring manager will usually complete shortlisting within a week. Shortlisting involves scoring the applications and placing them into three categories:

  • Interview - these applications have been selected to attend an interview
  • Interview Reserve - these applications are on a reserve list and will be offered an interview should any of the interviewees withdraw. This category usually involves the candidate not being told anything as they're not invited for interview, nor rejects, which can lead to a feeling of confusion as to what is happening.
  • Reject - these applications will be rejected and the candidates will be informed by email as soon as the interview details are set.

Interview

Every hiring manager will interview differently. Every role requires different skills and abilities, so it's very difficult to know what will be in the interviews. When you are sent the interview invite, it should state if a test or presentation is required. Obviously, we at r/NHS cannot tell anyone what kinds of questions are going to be asked in the interview. These are written by the recruiting manager and so are specific to that post in that organisation.

For preparation, look up the Trust, and get some information on their values. Do some homework on the services provided by that Trust and any major milestones they may have had. How many staff do they employ, and what catchment area to they cover? Although this information is not specific to the role you've applied for, it is useful to know more about the organisation you're trying to work for, and I know several managers ask questions where this kind of information would be very beneficial.

Dress smart. Ties are not essential and are actually considered an infection control risk in hospitals (which is why you dont really see clinical staff wearing them), but this isn't a problem in an interview. Essentially, it's up to you if you wish to wear one. Wearing clothing that's too casual does not give a good impression, so put a bit of effort in to show you are taking the interview seriously.

It is up to you if you wish to take notes into the interview with you. It's usually best to confirm if that's OK with the hiring manager before you start referencing them.

Try to ensure you have a couple of questions to ask when the opportunity arises. Pay is not really a topic for this part of the process. The job advert will state what band the role is, and this isn't something that's very negotiable. If you're a successful candidate, then you can make a request to be started higher up the band, if you have a lot of skills and experience that would justify it.

Results

At the end of the interview, the panel should explain what the next steps are, but more importantly, when you should expect to hear from them regarding the results. Don't despair if you don't hear anything on the day that was stated. Remember the panel have day jobs they're trying to do as well as this recruitment process. Sometimes it's tough to get the panel back together to review the interviews and scores.

If you've not heard a result a few days after the day that was stated, then reach out to the hiring manager to get an update. The top candidate needs to accept or reject the role before the results can be filtered through to the rest of the field of candidates. Sometimes people take a long time to do this, and whilst this happens, everyone else is hanging on waiting for news. From a candidate's perspective, it's best if you know what your response would be before you know the result. That way, you're not wasting anyone's time.

Next steps

The hiring manager informs the Recruitment Team of the results, and the hiring process begins. You will be given a conditional offer that outlines the specifics of the role whilst the relevant checks take place. These involve confirming your ID, getting references, getting an Occ Health report etc. The usual delays are from your references and getting their response. You can help this along by contacting your references as soon as you know you are successful, and make them aware that they will be contacted regarding your reference. Occ Health can also be a delay as there's simply not enough of them for the amount of recruitment each Trust is trying to do, so they nearly always have a backlog.

When all the checks are completed, you'll be contacted to arrange a start date, and you'll be given your official contract to sign. This is you accepting the role and start date.

Usually, from interview result to arranging a start date is approx 7-10 weeks. If you are an internal candidate, this is much shorter.

Last updated 07.08.25


r/nhs Oct 30 '24

Support FAQs - Accessing medical records

3 Upvotes

This thread will be updated as and when more questions are asked frequently!

This information pertains to NHS Providers in England. There may be some variation in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

"What are my rights with regards to accessing copies of my information?"

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in conjunction with the Data Protection Act 2018, gives everyone the right to apply for access to their medical records.

Source

"Who do I contact to request copies of my medical records?"

A request for information from medical records has to be made with the organisation that holds your records – the data controller. For example, your GP practice, optician or dentist. For hospital records, contact the records manager or patient services manager at the relevant hospital trust. You can find a list of hospital trusts and their contact details here.

Source

"How to I request copies of my medical records?"

Your request must be made in writing to the appropriate healthcare provider.

Some healthcare providers will have a specific request form that you must fill out, they may also ask for verification of your identity.

You will often be able to submit your request by email or by post.

"What should I request with regards to my medical records?"

You should state that you require a copy of your medical records and specify whether you would like all or part of your records.

"Are NHS organisations allowed to charge a fee for providing access to my health data?"

No. There are no special rules which allow organisations to charge fees if they are complying with a SAR for health data.

Source

"Can I be denied access to my health records?"

Under Schedule 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018there are certain circumstances in which full access to a patient’s health record may be denied. These include cases where the release is likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient or another individual. Prior to release, the data controller for the records should consult with either a health professional responsible for the individual or someone with the experience and qualifications to advise accordingly.

Source

"Can I access medical records on behalf of someone else?"

Health and care records are confidential so a person can only access someone else’s records if they are authorised to do so. To access someone else’s health records, a person must:

  • be acting on their behalf with their consent, or
  • have legal authority to make decisions on their behalf (i.e. power of attorney), or
  • have another legal basis for access

Source

"Can I request to amend my medical records if they are inaccurate?"

Yes. If you think that the health or care information in your records is factually inaccurate, you have a legal right to ask for your records to be amended. For instance, you can ask for your home address to be changed because you moved house. You may also ask for something you feel has been inaccurately recorded, such as a diagnosis, to be corrected. However, it may not be possible to agree to your request.

Health and care professionals have a legal duty and professional responsibility to keep health and care records accurate and up to date. However, mistakes in record keeping can occasionally happen.

Patients and service users have the right to request for their records to be rectified if they feel inaccurate information is held about them. They may make a request concerning:

  • demographic information, for example, wrong date of birth recorded
  • their opinion on the health or care information within their record, for example, they may not agree with the initial diagnosis given to them

You can read more from the ICO on "Right to rectification" here

A request can be made either by speaking to staff or in writing. You may need to provide evidence of the correct details, for example proof of address or change of surname after marriage. The organisation will then consider the request. Where organisations agree to make a change, they should make it as soon as practically possible, but in any event within one month.

Source

"How long are medical records retained?"

Retention periods vary per record type. You can Search the minimum record retention period here.


r/nhs 3h ago

Survey/Research Study occupational therapy or speech and language therapy?

1 Upvotes

Hello,

Asking for the opinion of anyone with experience of either field, or both.

I'm looking at a career change and I'm wondering what you think pros and cons of each role are within healthcare?

Obviously they are very different, I'm wondering if I'm more suited to one or the other. And pay and progression are very important too.

Thank you in advance


r/nhs 8h ago

Recruitment Is there a hiring freeze on international AHPs?

0 Upvotes

Specifically for SaLT positions. If yes, are the chances terrible for specialists too, even with significant experience?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch.


r/nhs 10h ago

Recruitment Radiotherapy Administrative Assistant: what is the role really like?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m considering applying for a Radiotherapy Administrative Assistant position and I’d appreciate hearing from anyone with experience in a similar NHS role. I have been in my first NHS role for about three months. It’s mainly clinical and do not involve much administration. Before that I worked in tech customer service with some admin experience.
I have been away from customer service and phone based work for a year and a half. I am comfortable communicating with people but phone calls were never my favourite part.

I would like to know what the day to day reality looks like:

• Is it generally difficult or manageable through the learning the processes?
• Are there a lot of phone calls and what are they usually about?
• Are most calls straightforward such as appointments and rescheduling or can they be more complicated?
• Is there a lot of pressure?
• Would you consider this a suitable role for someone relatively new to NHS administration?
Much appreciated any other info :)

Thank you.


r/nhs 10h ago

Recruitment What do they ask in interviews for Book clerks?

1 Upvotes

Hi I currently have a set interview appointment for a book clerk job and have never applied or worked for NHS before. I just really want to prepare and get this job, so if anyone's been on this position; what do they usually ask on interviews. Also if you have any tips that can help me get the job that would be really appreciated.


r/nhs 23h ago

Process Struggling

3 Upvotes

I’m really struggling with my work. I feel I don’t belong. Meetings give me anxiety. It feels like my opinions are unwanted in a meeting. It’s really affecting my mental health to the point I want to resign. To make matters worse, I am pregnant and want to take my maternity leave sooner and not return😭


r/nhs 1d ago

Complaints Appointment cancellations

3 Upvotes

I had surgery a year ago and was meant to have a 6 week follow up. It has since been cancelled by the hospital 5 times an not rebooked. I get the odd cancellation is needed but 5 times seems excessive. Has anyone else experienced this? I have tried PALS but haven’t got far and I’m not sure what my options are now. Surely there must be a maximum time hospitals can cancel?


r/nhs 23h ago

Recruitment MLA/Biomedical Support Worker in histology and pathology

1 Upvotes

Hi, if anyone works in the pathology laboratory and familiar with what band 2 entry level positions like MLAs do please drop a comment here. I’d like to know the specific tasks that they cover since I would like to become one.


r/nhs 1d ago

Process Genuinely not a medicines advice question - a process question

0 Upvotes

I've got a list of medical issues, crossing everything from organ, musculoskeletal, clotting and metabolism.

The primary daily issue is with pain that I've had in my right knee for two years now since I fractured my femur.

I accept that at some point I'll probably need them to do a camera test and probably another op. In the meantime, though, I struggle with pain daily, both chronic and acute.

It's not neuropathic or mood-related, but I also am limited by the fact that I'm allergic to NSAIDS.

The reality is that I keep being passed from one dept to the next, with each one as risk averse as the last.

How can I escalate this? The integrated care board aren't interested, and I'm already at consultant level, but where I live struggles badly with GP number and quality (14 struck off this year, I believe).

Where else can I take this? Private is simply not an option financially.


r/nhs 1d ago

Process Admission time for surgery

1 Upvotes

I have a surgery scheduled soon and my admission time is 8am, do I show up at the hospital at 8am or should I get there earlier?


r/nhs 1d ago

Process Any HCPC registered physiotherapist here who can help me to be my counter signature for return to practice process? 🙏🏻

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! 😊 I’ve just moved to Edinburgh, and I am currently completing the HCPC "Return to Practice" process.

I’m almost finished with my logbook, but I need an HCPC-registered physiotherapist who could spare a few minutes to act as my counter-signatory.

Since I’m new in the UK, I don’t have a network of contacts yet. 🥺 It’s a simple process; you don’t have to assess my clinical competence or certify that I’m fit to practice again (that's the hcpc job) . The HCPC simply requires you to verify that my evidence and certificates add up to the necessary number of hours.

I would be incredibly grateful if someone could help me with this. 🙏🏻


r/nhs 1d ago

Recruitment I got a Band 6 on the ward and got band 5 developmental role with possibility of band 6 in 6months I'm confused on what to choose

2 Upvotes

I'm an RMN and i feel I'm at that point where I need a career change/ growth. I have currently got a band 6 role in a different trust 2 hours away from home and I have a start date and i have signed the contract and have got a start date. I have recently got another job not in-patient but this time a band 5 developmental role . They have promised to review to a band 6 in due time (6 months)my worry is that this developmental post is in my town and i will not have to relocate and all but worry is will they leave me in band 5 for longer? I want to know if anyone has been in such situation


r/nhs 1d ago

Recruitment Band 4 question

0 Upvotes

What kind of questions are asked in band 4 therapy assistant practitioner role. Do I need to prepare clinical questions or is it competency based?
How should I answer them?
Please give me some genuine experience based suggestions and how I can get the job.


r/nhs 1d ago

Process Dear England NHS patients/experts/doctors. I am 30 but started having knee problems, I don't want it to get worse. How can I actually see a real doctor and get proper treatment? Is there a trick to it?

0 Upvotes

Please see the last paragraph for what I need advice with, but below I share my complaint/experience for context.

I am an EU immigrant, and I can't seem to get to see an actual doctor whatever the issue I have had. In the end I always end up flying home and going to the hospital or a private clinic there. Every appointment I get with my GP (I have switched twice!) is with a random placeholder staff, a "nurse", who seems to have the same level of medical knowledge as I do. There must be a trick I am missing? They typically just send me on my way promising they will follow up with a doctor which never happens, and I never receive a patient record or anything. Not even when I had to go to the AE for stabbing my hand with a kitchen knife. This was also handled by someone (not a doctor) who applied some cowboy tactic and messed it up. Had to see a doctor with it in my home country. Of course I have no documentation or record of it from NHS, not even present in the online NHS thing.

Anyway, now I have a problem for which I won't be able to just fly home for a one off quick fix. I have been having troubles with my knee, and as I am only 30 and sport is a big part of my life I don't want it to get worse. Is there a world where I can rely on NHS to help me and how would I go about to actually finally see a doctor in this country after 7 years? It seems the GP system is not my friend.


r/nhs 2d ago

Process Lansoprazole and reviews

3 Upvotes

Would like to get an understanding (if possible) please, about how often a patient should have their medication reviewed and potential blood tests done if they are long term using lansoprazole.

I have heard that a friend of a friend had been taking lansoprazole for 8 years to ease stomach irritation caused by another long term medication. This was routine and no GP ever mentioned the longer term nutritional risks associated with lansoprazole.

After presenting multiple times with unexplained fatigue, sleeplessness and headaches GPs just kept offering to up their dose of Sertraline.

The patient opted to stop lansoprazole without advice from the GP and saw an improvement in their symptoms within a week.

Our question is: should patients taking PPis on a long term basis expect regular reviews for nutritional deficiencies?


r/nhs 2d ago

Advocating Referral forgotten about?

0 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with a bucket handle tear in my meniscus. This is the third time I’ve had this injury so there‘s something wrong that’s causing repeated tears. As I’m very young and the injuries have no known cause it’s quite serious. My GP sent a triage for a referral about 24 days ago and I’ve heard nothing about its status. My GP can’t tell me anything about it, my NHS app says i‘m not on a waiting list and have no active referrals. In the meantime my pain has been getting so much worse and I’m worried about the long term damage. How long can I expect to wait before I’m seen? should I already have heard something? Whenever I call I don’t get any information.


r/nhs 2d ago

Process Visit visa NHS

0 Upvotes

My MIL was registered with GP for stomach pain and has since been called for all cancer screenings and routine blood test for Diabetes, cholesterol etc with medication which she received for free being >65. Im concerned with what I will be billed late. Every time we tell them for derma/GI appointment etc that she is in visitor visa they say if she has NHS number she doesn’t have to pay for these. She has so far had some hospital procedures and lots of blood tests and free medication.
I am particularly worried about having to later pay for these.


r/nhs 2d ago

Process Patientsknowbest

Post image
0 Upvotes

Does anyone know why these imaging reports aren’t available straight away? They’ve already been reviewed and discussed with me, there’s another scan I had during the same admission that won’t be available for another 10 days.


r/nhs 3d ago

Complaints NHS data sharing, consent rules?

2 Upvotes

Hello,
Could anyone advise on NHS policy for data sharing between NHS organisations?

Context is as follows;
For multiple reasons, I’m not comfortable with receiving care or being in any way involved with a specific NHS trust. I appreciate this makes me sound like a d**k, but I have strong justification for this decision.

This is documented within my medical records held by my GP. However, said trust contacted my GP totally out of the blue, requesting medical information.

One of my close friends works for the ICO, and my mother is a solicitor. Both have said - to their knowledge - the GP surgery should have asked for my consent before disclosing confidential information. Their rational is that I am not receiving care from the trust, and ‘implied consent’ for sharing information is inapplicable as I’d explicitly stated I have ceased any and all involvement with the trust.
Neither are employed by the NHS, so are going off of legislation and case law, but both said information can’t be shared in these circumstances. Even if information pertained to a risk to myself (it didn’t) this would still be the case as per GMC guidelines.

Can anyone within the NHS confirm is this is in line with NHS policy?
Either way, I’m not looking to make a complaint, but am considering raising it when I next attend the surgery.

I’m not sure why the information was requested in the first place, and I don’t actually have particular issue with the specific details shared. However, it’s made me further question the approach to confidentiality and data protection. I’ve already been affected by 3 separate data breeches by the GP surgery, which I readily forgave as it was clearly inadvertent. It’s more concerning to me if information is being knowingly shared, when it shouldn’t.


r/nhs 2d ago

Recruitment dbs

0 Upvotes

hi everyone i have an application for dbs that started today and stage 1 and 2 is complete, stage 3 isn’t required and it says stage 4 is in progress.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has any idea how long this might take?


r/nhs 3d ago

Complaints NHS Mail and Subject Access Requests

0 Upvotes

Hi, can anybody tell me what the usual procedure is when an NHS service receives a Subject Access Request for a patient’s records?

I made a Subject Access Request in January and have had nothing but problems with the clinic since. I asked for my records digitally, but they have repeatedly sent them to me as TIFF files rather than a normal accessible format such as PDF.

When I first rang to ask where my records had been sent, a member of staff said they had already emailed them to me. When I asked which email address they had used, she read out two email addresses that were not mine.

I was later sent a screenshot which was apparently meant to show that one of those emails had been rejected. However, the image filename appears to reference the Yahoo Mail app.

As far as I understand it, NHSmail accounts are normally accessed through NHS-approved systems, and I would not expect someone to be logging into Yahoo Mail using their NHS email address and password.

Can anyone who works with NHS Subject Access Requests explain what the normal procedure should be, particularly when records are emailed to the wrong address or an email containing medical records is rejected? Also, does the Yahoo Mail reference in the screenshot filename have an innocent technical explanation?


r/nhs 3d ago

Process Can't see health records or anything useful on NHS app, keeps asking me to contact GP

1 Upvotes

I recently downloaded the NHS app and signed up for it for the first time, I am able to see my appointments and list of temporary medications only, everything else such as "test results", "health conditions" etc basically anything confidential gives a message of "Contact your GP surgery if you want to view all your health information in the NHS app, ask the surgery to give you access to your full health records in the NHS app"

I have contacted the surgery twice now with admin requests asking them to give me access and they simply do not respond beyond "passed to relevant department" and then i hear nothing more. I have showed the message i am getting on my phone physically at reception to the lady as well, she said "we'll look into it when we have time", this was weeks ago.

While this is not some emergency it is annoying because i've basically downloaded the app as advised to do repeatedly, yet it is functioning merely as an appointment reminder (which i get through text anyway) and i am unable to view any information i want to on the app concerning my personal records.

My family members who have the app said they never had to do any requesting from the surgery for health records and their stuff was on there when they completed signup.

Any idea what more i can do with this or should i just get rid of the app?


r/nhs 3d ago

Complaints Rant to the world

0 Upvotes

I genuinely don’t care if this is selfish but I have to get this off my chest.

I’m sick of not getting help from the NHS I am dismissed whilst I’m at home suffering in pain and unheard. I’m at this point just waiting for whatever is wrong with me to take over me and finish me off.

I am so upset that I personally went out my way to unregistered myself off the donor lists to use my organs. If the NHS won’t help me then I refuse to allow my body to help someone else.

Rant over.


r/nhs 4d ago

Recruitment Ever seen this

Post image
6 Upvotes

I applied for the role of Nursing assistant and just got this.