NHS job interview (Team Secretary role)

[Maxine3477]

I'm already working in the NHS (Band 3 admin role) and have an interview tomorrow for a Team Secretary (Band 4) position.
I'm pinning so much hope on this job, it would be perfect.
Any ideas of what kind of questions to expect? Would they be similar questions to those for a Band 3 admin position? I know they would be more responsibility in the Band 4, like supervising etc.
How do I shine at the interview? Any tips? Any inside knowledge from NHS interviewers or those who have moved from Band 3 to Band 4? Thanks xx

[RedSkySuperStar]

Good luck! Have examples ready to back up what you say. Read the job description and person spec. They will likely ask questions based on what features there. Use the SOAR method for each example you give of when you have done what they are asking about: tell what the Situation was, explain what your Objective was and any Obstacles, what Action you took and the Result. Bonus points for adding in what you learned from it and how you've put it into practice! Also, appear enthusiastic and keen, that helps a lot.
Think about why you want this particular role, is it the patient contact? Ready to step up and take on more responsibility by supervising others? Why do you want to do this? What do you hope to achieve? Let us know how it goes!

[smiffypeabrain]

They might give you different scenarios and how would you handle situations like a patient insisting on receiving results over the telephone or how you might prioritise a list of tasks.

Grade 4 has far more patient contact than grade 3 and you will probably be covering for other secretaries when they are on annual leave, sick etc so secretaries are the centre of communication and a bridge between the patent and the consultant, different departments, CNS's or GP's to the consultant.

The last place a someone wants to be is in hospital which is why there are so many difficult calls. If there is a question about phone queries, let the interviewer that you will always give a patient your name, whether it is your query or someone else's after listening to their queries it is really helpful to give a time frame of when you can respond to their query and that you would always call someone back so they are not left hanging, whether you the consultant has got back to you or not. That courtesy call just to let someone know how far you have got at the end of the day is really appreciated and it lets a patient know that you are still working on their problem rather than leaving their query hanging.

I don't know if any of that is helpful but I wish you all the very best!!

[Maxine3477]

Thanks for the tips. I got the job!

[RedSkySuperStar]

Great news, congratulations!

[smiffypeabrain]

So pleased for you. Congratulations.

[Claire347]

Hey, I know I’m really late in the game but first off congratulations! How are you getting on?

Secondly I’ve an interview tomorrow for the same thing and it has a typing and in tray assessment did you have to do this? If so can you let me know how it was please xx