Health problems and applying for jobs advice please

[smurfgirl]

Ok I am applying for jobs in the NHS at the moment and they have a fairly rigorous occupational health screening process.

My own health has not been amazing of late and have had multiple A&E attendances for self harm and took an overdose which required a 2 night stay.
I have gone part time on placement (doing it over 9 weeks instead of 6) as a student as well. B
ut I am still on the course and univerity occy health have been ok with me remaining on placement and have taken the lead from my mental health team. And placement are happy with me. I have two good references for the jobs as well.

I will be going back f.t on placement soon and I would not start any job until October anyway which is when I should be discharged from mental health services.

I am so worried I will not get a job because of this can they refuse to employ me?
I want to work on one specific trust so this impacts every job I apply for...

[flowerybeanbag]

smurfgirl hopefully someone who works in the NHS and knows more about it might be along.

For lots of organisations you would be expected to complete a medical questionnaire when you are offered employment and would need to be honest on it. If there is anything on it that is of concern, it may be raised with you a discussion might be had about how you are now, how this may or may not impact on your employment and ability to do the job, and you may be asked to attend a medical to discuss these things.

But as I say, I don't know about OH practices in recruitment in the NHS so hopefully someone else can help you.

[smurfgirl]

Thanks - thats what happened when I applied to uni, I am just wondering about the legalities of things I guess, bit of a worry obviously even though its my fault so should just accept it!

[flowerybeanbag]

smurfgirl if your condition is a disability they can't discriminate against you, but other than that you have no legal protection as such. Have a read here about what counts as a disability, it's not as clear cut as many people think.

[summer111]

Wheteher you consider your mental health difficulties as a disability is down to personal opinion really. Occ Health forms vary, some being more specific than others. Whatever you include on your Occ Health forms should not be disclosed by them to your potential manager, unless you give their permission to do so. In terms of any disclosure - either on your application, Occ Health foms or interview, if you are offered a position of employment, you are then protected by the Disability Discrimination Act. This means that your employer cannot terminate your contract should you need time off due to your becoming unwell. The employer also has to offer what is termed reasonable adjustments to your workplace, to meet your Mental health needs. Obviously, by not disclosing, you would therefore not be covered by the DDA.

If you decide to disclose, your best option is to prepare for an interview with positive and encouraging statements regarding your illness. ie acknowledging the fact that you have been unwell in the past but you have now reached a stage in your MH recovery whereby you feel in control of your illness and have developed a number of strategies which you adopt to maintain this etc etc. Even bringing along a Healthy Work Plan would be positive, outlining your recovery plan in a bit more detail and the type of support which Occ Health/your manager can potentially provide.

Best of luck