Interview at hospice

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

Posting here for a bit more traffic

I have an interview Monday at my local hospice as a nursing associate.
Any tips
I've done some brain storming around respite and palliative care.
But now I'm panicking . I really want this job

Read up about the history of the hospice, they may ask you what you know about them.
Read the job ad, it will give you hints about what they will be expecting you to do.
They may ask about how you think Covid may be affecting their patients, with reduced visiting, loneliness, anxiety about not being able to see friends and families so much.
If they ask you why you want to work there what do you plan on saying, have you looked after patients with life limiting illnesses before.
Is this something you are interested in, what has attracted you to this job.
Where do you work atm, congratulations on the interview.

Thank you @FleasInMyKnees .
I presently work for the nhs on a dementia unit. Been nhs for 16 working in various departments. I'm just bloody fed up. I know the grass isn't always greener , but, perhaps a different breath of fresh air .
I've put my portfolio together.
The job description is no different to what I do at present so that makes it easier.
I was lucky that when I did my training I actually had a placement at the hospice so if I can remember everything will be a bonus!

The staffing ratio may be better, you might get more time to offer personalised care and sit with patients. They did ask me what care needs did hospice parients have that were different to hospital. They always seem to ask how do you deal with stress what support do you have etc. Good luck.

Agree how do you deal with the emotional side is likely to be asked. Perhaps look up what the hospice offer as ongoing support so you show you are aware that it is not all end of life care there may be respite breaks and family support to those with a life limiting illness.

Well I've put my portfolio together, up dated my cv.
Found and sort all my feedback from patients etc
Done more research around the hospice, I now know what's been going on there for the past 30 years!
Read up on the facilities
Read up on hospice and COVID
Planned respite etc

What do you think is meant by the term "a good death"?

@drinkingwineoutofamug

Thank you *@FleasInMyKnees* . I presently work for the nhs on a dementia unit. Been nhs for 16 working in various departments. I'm just bloody fed up. I know the grass isn't always greener , but, perhaps a different breath of fresh air . I've put my portfolio together. The job description is no different to what I do at present so that makes it easier. I was lucky that when I did my training I actually had a placement at the hospice so if I can remember everything will be a bonus!

That will be useful experience. the hospice I worked at for 15 years was starting to take dementia patients for end of life care. Experience of caring for patients with mental illness and confusion will also be very handy when dealing with patients with terminal agitation or confused due to side effects of medication etc.

@Granllanog

What do you think is meant by the term "a good death"?

A good death to me is having one chance for getting it right. To respect, to understand worries, fears the spiritual side. The psychosocial aspects , to have the best pain management and plan in advance , preferred place of death.

Also the early recognition of dying stage, and facilitating and enabling sensitive conversations around death with the family and patient, and a holistic approach to dying, ensuring death is comfortable and dignified

Just been through my notes 😬

The hospice we are dealing with isnt about preparing for death, many offer symptom management, pain management and rehab. So I suggest you dont focus on a 'good' death. Look up the hospice and check out what it offers

Careful you dont get trapped into saying things that maybe appear in text books. Keep answers simple and from the heart.

@mynameisbrian

The hospice we are dealing with isnt about preparing for death, many offer symptom management, pain management and rehab. So I suggest you dont focus on a 'good' death. Look up the hospice and check out what it offers

Done my homework on that one and have visited the facilities when I was on placement there during my training .

You could prep on how the recent Health and Social Care Bill might impact on the role - or ask it to them as a question

I wouldnt concentrate on death too much but you could familiarize yourself with Elizabeth Kubler Ross stages of death and dying. They may ask non clinical questions like what you would do as an NA and you received a complaint, you witnessed poor care, what if the RN goes off sick, what would you do if you found a patient in distress or asks to go home.. i was asked what other therapies, not medication help with symptoms.

I don't work in your sector but we ask STARR questions (situation - task - action - result - reflection) eg Tell us about a situation when you had to xxx ; could you describe a time when you worked effectively in a team, etc. There is a lot online about this type of question and how to structure your responses. We don't ask "if" questions at all, they're all based on evidencing the competencies required for the role. My apologies if you've already prepared for this.

Absolutely bricking it this morning. After the interview I go to work for a shift 😬
And wait....
I will let you all know how I get on. Thank you for your help

is the pay lower?

i wish you success, sounds like a good move

Done. Was better than I thought. But they kept going on about my experience and deskilling in some areas, which I replied that I would be making up for by learning new skills.
About 10 questions and thankfully mind didn't go blank!
Asked about how the health care bill will effect the hospice. It won't so far.
I find out Wednesday

@MrsLargeEmbodied

is the pay lower?

Same wage but more staff benefits and the enhancements are a tiny bit better. Plus keep my nhs pension

That sounds good, you will use different skills in a hospice, it's more about symptoms control than running around doing all sorts of tests, I can understand why they talked about that. Will you take the job if they offer at to you.

Yes

You didn't interview me did you ? 😂😂😂

No but I have worked in healthcare for ever and a hospice . Good luck.

Thank you