NHS 8B AHP interview tips

[MyCococo]

Name changed in case my colleagues/recruiters recognise the details 😂

Does anyone have any advice on likely interview questions for an 8B post? It is a non-clinical AHP professional lead post, and I am currently a clinical B7. I have been asked to present on how I would promote the development of the profession, and I am expecting questions on workforce planning etc.

Would be grateful for any advice from those who have been through similar!

Make sure you understand the role, while not clinical it’s an operational role so you’ll be managing staff shortages (I’d imagine) waiting lists, increased demand for services and how to prioritise limited resources. So those individual patients and patient lists are still quite “close” to you if that makes sense? Don’t know if I’ve explained that very well!

It’s a tricky level in my experience of being on panels for those types of roles (I’m on medical and dental contract but do sit on the panels now and again) Either people struggle to move their answers from clinical examples or they go too far and you want to tell them they aren’t interviewing for the Chief Exc role as they give answers that are just “big picture” Try to keep the patient/service user at the centre of the answer, not necessarily always talking about them through the whole answer but keeping it in your mind.

Clinical governance is always a really badly answered question I’d advise getting advice from the governance team and reviewing agendas of governance meetings to understand all the strands.

I always think an interview is a two way process so answer the questions with how you think don’t try and second guess yourself.

As I said it’s a tricky move not because people aren’t capable it’s just different from a clinical role/interview so good luck!

Thank you @Oinkypig , that's really helpful!

I'm fairly confident that I could do the job well if I was successful, but not at all confident that I will show that at interview 😂

Hopeful bump for the Sunday crowd

Definitely familiarise yourself with relevant governance issues, audit, guidelines, possibly patient experience/complaints/service user involvement where relevant. Also be aware of the current national agenda, any relevant research. And have an answer prepared for how you have led change and dealt with resistance to change. Maybe something about why you want to move away from clinical work, what development needs you might have.

probable questions regarding what your responsibilities for governance will be or how you will create high quality service. Things to consider would be staff training, competencies, right people right place etc and etc

you could also be asked questions regarding negotiating, influencing and mediatiating for example when people have disagreed with you or you have disagreed with them.

other areas I would expect could be round staff engagement

and national picture, priorities and how you might bring to your teams at the local level

oh and systems working across the networks..