Interview HELP please!

[Crappingmyself94]

I have been invited for an interview for the local hospital. It is for "Bank senior health care assitant".
I've never really had a proper interview before.
I am currently a senior care assistant in a care home, I didn't have a proper interview for this job as I started in the care home as a kitchen assistant then moved onto the caring side.
I have also worked in savers but I got this job after a job came up while I was on an 8 week placement through the job centre.
I know my job inside out and would say I am very knowledgeable about care etc.
The interview is over Microsoft teams which has eased my nervousness a little as it isn't face2face.
I'm just unsure of what I will need to have with me and what sort of questions they may ask etc, I just want to be as prepared as possible.

If anyone could possibly help me out or words of reassurance please?
TIA x

Anyone?

Do you have a copy of the job description? Also, take a look at the criteria for the job and make notes of how your experience fits or matches that criteria. They will probably ask you why you applied for the role so be prepared to answer that.

I have no knowledge of this area at all so am not going to be helpful I realise. But they looked at your skillset and want to interview you. They've seen something they like and want to know more. Embrace it. Smile. Keep eye contact even though teams and I always try to slow my talking down as I know that I talk fast and ramble when I'm nervous! Best of luck!!

They might be asking you STAR type questions. Like tell us about the time you worked as a part of the team, tell us about the time you lead a team etc.
Look at the skills and responsibilities (the person specification) , have a google around and put your answers into Word. You can keep that open in the meeting and look at it to remind yourself what to say.

Have they given you any indication of what style of interview it is? Having conducted quite a few interviews last week I would just say make sure you answer the question they asked you, always tell them what YOU have done and can do (not we), and make sure you give them enough to "mark".

Hello, I'm not in that area sorry but for general interview guidance I have always used the SAR method (Situation, Action, Result)
A lot of questions tend to be 'give us an example of a time when xxx happened and what you did you overcome it'
I'd have a solid couple of examples ready of something that happened and how your actions resolved or improved it. You can also mention what could have happened if you didn't resolve it and the impact it would have had.

They'll expect you to be nervous, I don't know anyone who isn't in an interview, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat a question or take a moment to digest it

Just remember, you got the interview for a reason.

Good luck! :D

Because it's for Bank, make sure you reiterate how flexible you are, how you can pick up shifts at short notice and move within departments as needed.

Talk about being willing to get stuck in, going the extra mile and doing what needs to be done to ensure high standards of patient care and safety.

They may ask why you want to move from your current position to a Bank post (bank posts generally are zero hours) so be prepared for this.

If I think of more I'll post later. Good luck!

I think they will ask things about - -communication / communicating with patients - potentially communicating with those who are confused / have hearing difficulties / are distressed.

• safety related things E.g about escalating concerns to the nurse in charge
• potentially safeguarding (whAt do you do if... type questions).
• what do you do if a patient declines care (as an example - look at communication, consent, other ways you can support patients):

For clinical skills, I would make sure you are up to date with some info about skin care (pressure ulcer prevention), nutrition and hydration, personal care.

When they ask, try to link it to examples of patient / service user contact in your current role - aware that it's not exactly the same, but the principles of safe patient care are the same irrespective of where you are).
Make sure you have a really good answer to the why do you want this job question, which no doubt they will ask.

Make sure you have looked at the trusts website and can find the trust values and vision - some of the NHS is moving to values based interviews (because you can teach someone plenty of clinical skills, but if they can't reflect the trust values, it's more difficult).

I don't work in a hospital, but those are pretty generic NHS type questions. Your experience in a care home is absolutely relevant given the a high percentage of those in hospital are over 75, often with multiple conditions.

They don't / won't expect you to know everything, but they will expect you to be able to give a sensible answer and rationale to demonstrate you would be safe.

I used to work in health care- but different role/sector. They 'might' ask you to briefly go through you CV and what experience you have so far. They might then ask scenario questions like the above poster said.
Tell us about a time where you have maintained someones privacy/dignity?
Tell us about a time your manager asked you to do a task you weren't trained to do. What did you do?
Tell us about a time a patient was upset/distressed/tried to leave?

Where possible, if they use scenarios, try to make them care/health related when you answer- rather than about something you did at high school, or at school camp or whatever 20 years ago.

Try to explain the situation, task, action you took and the outcome

Listen to their question, take a breath and then speak. Take your time. you know your stuff. Try to be patient centric.

I interviewed one candidate for a job who said she'd put headphones in at work to block out the calls bells so she could zone out!!!! She didn't get the job.

Thank you for your replies.
I have a job description yes and most of what is on there is basically the exact same as I do in my current role.
Think I need to remember that they have chosen ME out of probably 100s of people! Lol. And be happy about that, like you say they want to know more of the information I've already given.
Style of interview? I just know it's an interview over Microsoft teams and it's with a 2 person panel.
Yes will definitely have to talk about why I want to leave my current position.
That's a good tip - to look at the hospital values etc, thank you! :)
I will get a copy of my CV printed off ready for the interview incase they ask me that, thank you.

Ohh dear @MarmiteCoriander that is terrible and to say it in an interview! 😬 must not have wanted the job in the first place lol.

I’ve interviewed a few people on teams recently (different sector) and have the following thoughts: It’s definitely good to prepare but don’t overprepare - so think about possible questions and make some notes but don’t just read out answers as it will be obvious to the interviewer. As a PP said, make sure you answer the question asked - not a similar question that you have prepared for! Don’t waffle for ages but equally don’t give answers of only a few words as they will only find out about you if you tell them. Have some questions to ask them, preferably ones that show your interest in the role rather than eg “how much holiday do I get?”!

Good luck!