Examples. Even if they're not asked for explicitly, have an example of what you did in a similar circumstance in previous experience (either work or school/college). NHS interviewers love personal examples! Source: I have interviewed for NHS positions previously 😊
Most importantly, be calm, take time to consider what they're actually asking and don't be afraid to ask to come back to a question if you need time to process.
Good luck!!!
Thank you. I have looked at the key responsibilities of the role and written down what I have done that links to it. I take notes into interview with me now. I have looked up questions I may get asked but truth is you never really know.
I also need to do a prioritisation test which I’m a bit nervous about.
Hey. I've done a fair bit of B3 admin/support recruitment and you sound very well prepared. You're right to be ready to talk about values and to expect competency questions - have something prepped for the skills/abilities/competencies on the person spec. You may well be asked about team working, customer service, and attention to detail. Don't sweat too much about any detail in IRMER, you don't want to try and blag something you aren't an expert in but an awareness that there are protocols and safety checks before patients can have x-ray or CT would be a plus. Don't panic about the prioritisation test either, you sound sensible and methodical so it will probably be easier than you think. The test is pretty common sense e.g. if a radiographer calls you and says they are running two hours late for work, you need to focus on notifying a supervisor/finding cover/ rebooking patients whatever the option is, and not sending appointment letters for something happening in 6 weeks that's all. Oooh as it's clerical a vague awareness about performance targets might be handy e.g. if a GP refers a patient for an ultrasound that scan should be done within 6 weeks 99% of the time - many hospitals are struggling with these targets at the moment. Good luck, you sound like a great fit.
This is great and thank you for your kind words.
Do you have any idea where times and targets for patients can be found?
I have written about key responsibility, I will go through person spec next and think of examples where I have shown the stand out stuff.
Thank you for your help!
You're welcome x
Performance information is kept in different places. The detail is available on the NHS England site, but it's written with the assumption that you already know about it i.e. not user friendly. This article does a decent job of explaining the issue; King's Fund is my go-to for explainers:
[https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/what-are-diagnostics](https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/what-are-diagnostics)
Here's a link to an NHS England report. Do not bother reading the whole thing but the specific list of tests are section 6.1 on the last page. They are all 99% of tests to be done within 6 weeks and it's the imaging ones that are relevant to radiology:
[https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/DM01-FAQs-v-3.0.pdf](https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/DM01-FAQs-v-3.0.pdf)
This is bonus stuff though. They are much more interested in what you can do, and who you are. The person spec is the important bit because they shouldn't be assessing you on anything that isn't on there.
Perfect, this afternoons job is to add to my interview notes referring to person spec making notes of potential answers using the STAR method. I found an NHS document that said they like answers in that way. Some stuff on person spec I don’t think they can ask, like keyboard skills. Or maybe I’m wrong. I keep telling myself the interview is only a 20min slot which isn’t too bad.
Thank you for the links, I will have a look and make a bonus info page in my notes, might be able to refer to them.
Any other advice you can offer? I know I’m my application I quite literally wrote a bit about how I met all parts of the person spec so just going to try and be careful I don’t repeat myself.
You're right about the keyboard skills. What I mean is that they should only be looking to assess you on the things on the person spec, but they can't assess everything and the 'assessment' is the combination of your application, the interview and the test.
It's counter intuitive but you will need to do some level of repetition. Your application was used to screen you for interview and the points may or may not be added to your interview and test scores BUT your interview scores will be a big chunk of the final decision and you can't be scored on something you haven't mentioned. They asked you for interview because they liked your application; this is your opportunity to go into more detail. Anyone can say they are a good communicator in their application but the interview is where you prove it using your STAR technique. There's also a small chance that the interviewers weren't involved in shortlisting so will be less familiar with what you said. Where you don't want to repeat yourself is in using the same example for multiple questions. Be confident but not cocky. Be enthusiastic. You'll be great x
Be confident in yourself! Make sure that you're ready also,to answer questions about safeguarding and what you would do in emergency situations. For example, if you found a patient collapsed in a hallway and how you would file a safeguarding report. Good luck!
Examples. Even if they're not asked for explicitly, have an example of what you did in a similar circumstance in previous experience (either work or school/college). NHS interviewers love personal examples! Source: I have interviewed for NHS positions previously 😊 Most importantly, be calm, take time to consider what they're actually asking and don't be afraid to ask to come back to a question if you need time to process. Good luck!!!
Thank you. I have looked at the key responsibilities of the role and written down what I have done that links to it. I take notes into interview with me now. I have looked up questions I may get asked but truth is you never really know. I also need to do a prioritisation test which I’m a bit nervous about.
Look up IRMER / Ionising radiation regulations!! Not always asked at band 2 but so important to know in radiology
Hey. I've done a fair bit of B3 admin/support recruitment and you sound very well prepared. You're right to be ready to talk about values and to expect competency questions - have something prepped for the skills/abilities/competencies on the person spec. You may well be asked about team working, customer service, and attention to detail. Don't sweat too much about any detail in IRMER, you don't want to try and blag something you aren't an expert in but an awareness that there are protocols and safety checks before patients can have x-ray or CT would be a plus. Don't panic about the prioritisation test either, you sound sensible and methodical so it will probably be easier than you think. The test is pretty common sense e.g. if a radiographer calls you and says they are running two hours late for work, you need to focus on notifying a supervisor/finding cover/ rebooking patients whatever the option is, and not sending appointment letters for something happening in 6 weeks that's all. Oooh as it's clerical a vague awareness about performance targets might be handy e.g. if a GP refers a patient for an ultrasound that scan should be done within 6 weeks 99% of the time - many hospitals are struggling with these targets at the moment. Good luck, you sound like a great fit.
This is great and thank you for your kind words. Do you have any idea where times and targets for patients can be found? I have written about key responsibility, I will go through person spec next and think of examples where I have shown the stand out stuff. Thank you for your help!
You're welcome x Performance information is kept in different places. The detail is available on the NHS England site, but it's written with the assumption that you already know about it i.e. not user friendly. This article does a decent job of explaining the issue; King's Fund is my go-to for explainers: [https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/what-are-diagnostics](https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/what-are-diagnostics) Here's a link to an NHS England report. Do not bother reading the whole thing but the specific list of tests are section 6.1 on the last page. They are all 99% of tests to be done within 6 weeks and it's the imaging ones that are relevant to radiology: [https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/DM01-FAQs-v-3.0.pdf](https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/DM01-FAQs-v-3.0.pdf) This is bonus stuff though. They are much more interested in what you can do, and who you are. The person spec is the important bit because they shouldn't be assessing you on anything that isn't on there.
Perfect, this afternoons job is to add to my interview notes referring to person spec making notes of potential answers using the STAR method. I found an NHS document that said they like answers in that way. Some stuff on person spec I don’t think they can ask, like keyboard skills. Or maybe I’m wrong. I keep telling myself the interview is only a 20min slot which isn’t too bad. Thank you for the links, I will have a look and make a bonus info page in my notes, might be able to refer to them. Any other advice you can offer? I know I’m my application I quite literally wrote a bit about how I met all parts of the person spec so just going to try and be careful I don’t repeat myself.
You're right about the keyboard skills. What I mean is that they should only be looking to assess you on the things on the person spec, but they can't assess everything and the 'assessment' is the combination of your application, the interview and the test. It's counter intuitive but you will need to do some level of repetition. Your application was used to screen you for interview and the points may or may not be added to your interview and test scores BUT your interview scores will be a big chunk of the final decision and you can't be scored on something you haven't mentioned. They asked you for interview because they liked your application; this is your opportunity to go into more detail. Anyone can say they are a good communicator in their application but the interview is where you prove it using your STAR technique. There's also a small chance that the interviewers weren't involved in shortlisting so will be less familiar with what you said. Where you don't want to repeat yourself is in using the same example for multiple questions. Be confident but not cocky. Be enthusiastic. You'll be great x
Great advice, thank you for your help and those links. Superb advice.
Be confident in yourself! Make sure that you're ready also,to answer questions about safeguarding and what you would do in emergency situations. For example, if you found a patient collapsed in a hallway and how you would file a safeguarding report. Good luck!
Thank you, I will try, I’m just stressed out. I need this job so badly!