6 month contracts in NHS. Do many apply?

[Cabbagesoupsucks]

Just curious really. Saw a fixed term contract for a job with the NHS. It made me wonder whether many people apply for 6 month short term contracts. I am considering applying. But I'd like part time and it's full time. Would they consider part time for a fixed term ft position?

People do apply for short term yes,think winter bed pressure or mat leave cover
Hours - Depends on the needs of the service,and their ability to be flexible
If it’s 37.5 FT and you want 30h maybe they’ll be flexible,
however if it’s shifts inc weekend and you want PT week day that may be an issue
Give the named contact a call,informal discussion

Am currently doing just that, and it's part time too.

Is it better to mention at application about wanting to work part time?

I applied for a 6 month contract with my current NHS trust.
I've worked there for 6 years now, ask at interview of the potential to extend the contract. If it's covering mat leave and the person is def returning then maybe it's not always wise.
Sometimes they like to make sure someone is suitable before offering a permanent contract.
Go for the interview and ask what you want, they can only say no. Nothing lost.
Good luck x

Not as many would apply as for a longer contract, so you will be more likely better able to negotiate part time hours if you are suitable for the role. Give them a call to arrange an informal chat/visit and find out why it’s a FTC. You could broach the subject of part time hours at this point but I’d do it carefully to sound them out. If they are unsure on PT but you make a good impression and put in a good application they are more likely to consider it.

I’ve taken 2 x 6 month FTC and both led to permanent roles, but it would depend on the circumstances how likely this is. If you are good at what you do people usually find a way to keep you in the organisation but the pressure is really being felt financially at all trusts now.

I think it depends on the role. If I’m advertising a role as full time it’s because that’s the number of hours I need the job to be. Admin roles seem to be a little more flexible though and they would definitely consider someone part time if they thought they were the right person for the job.

Thanks for your help. It's really insightful. The closing date is before I can schedule a visit but I will put it on my statement about part time hours. One of the bits on the person spec mentions honesty.

My job was advertised as full time. I phoned up and asked if they’d consider part time (was willing to do up to 30 hours) and they said no. I thought about it, and put my application in anyway, and got called for an interview. By this point, I was desperate to get out of the job I was in, so decided I’d just go full time, but when they called to offer me the job, they said I could do it part time after all, under the NHS family friendly policy. I had to accept it as a full time post and I put my request form in, but worked 37.5 hours for a month then dropped down to 26.
With regards to fixed term contracts, very few of them actually stop at 6 months- most people I see get extended a few times then become permanent.

7 years in the NHS here and I agree with PP. So many people get taken on as temporary staff and it’s often to do with each department’s budget. Their contract just gets extended as more funding gets released until finally they can go permanent.

I am on a temporary contract, my boss said that they could only get funding for my role if they applied for temporary. When the new NHS budget gets dropped in my trusts bank account in April I will be straight away put on a permanent contract plus enhancements. It was the only way they could offer me the job.

That's really interesting to know and insightful for if I get an interview as obviously nice to realise it is possible to go beyond 6 months.

My DH went in on a 6 month contract, just coming up for 2 years now!

I got my application in - thanks everyone. Anyone know roughly how long it takes to hear if you have an interview after the closing date? Will you be told if you haven't been successful?

It’s online,so check your inbox
Being notified unsuccessful in general if you don’t hear, you’re been unsuccessful
Some jobs attracts many applicants,and it’s too onerous to respond to everyone
What’s the post? (don’t say if it’s too revealing or niche) and good luck

Sadly no interview for me. Makes me wonder if I should not have mentioned wanting part time hours.

Just for future reference… they won’t give you part time hours if the advert only says full time. They’ll say part time could be considered if they’ll think about it.