Band 8 CAMHs interview for counselling psychologist

[crispsandwichnow]

Pleeeeeeaaaassseee help me!! I have a job interview for a band 8 position (counselling psychologist) I have noooo idea what they will ask. They have asked me to prepare a presentation which seems pretty straightforward but I know I will struggle with the questions. I have not had an interview in 6 years! Any band 8's out there??? Please help!! I really need / want this job!!

Where I work we do competency based interview questions and some of these are based on the visions and values of the Trust. Try and read up on those for where you are applying to. Other questions would be around things like ‘can you tell us about a time when you were working with a case and you were struggling to relate to that person/decide what treatment would be best’ that kind of thing. Think of examples of good practice but also ones that had valuable learning points.
Always talk about what you did, say I and not we and explain your role clearly within the examples that you use.
Mention professional curiosity.
Read up on GDPR and safeguarding and mention them - so many people forget to as it’s almost assumed that you know that stuff.
Will the interview be on Teams or f2f?

I'm a band 8 psychologist - not CAMHS tho. I have a note of the questions somewhere I will have a look and send them later

Are you a member of any of the FB groups for psychologists? You will probably be better off asking there. I'm Clinical not Counselling but there are lots of good groups and people are really helpful.

Be prepared for many examples of various scenarios.

NHS interviews are rigidly scored...They will use the job spec and ask questions that test whether you meet it, largely competency based. Use the STAR method to structure your answers (situation, task, action result...oh and for psychologists an extra R reflection, what I might do differently). At 8a there will be some leadership expectations, go through all you've done in your current role and pick out some examples. Also familiarise yourself with local and national policy developments

I am sooooo nervous! Thank you for replying 
@MajesticWhine that would be great! Thank you so much x

I have sent you a direct message OP.
Prepare and rehearse you answers. And definitely use the STAR method as others suggested.
Good luck !

All good advice from others, and Im happy to see other Clinical and Counselling Psychologists on here 😊

Can tou tell usa bit more about the job rike, what makes it different to a 7? Is it a leadership role, management role , or highly specialised therapy role? Expect a question on whatever it is that makes this different from a 7.

When I'm interviewing for higher bands, I'll usually ask a question about clinical leadership, and a time when the candidate has led on a service initiative or project. Ill usually ask a question about personal and professuonal values and also a question about development needs in relation to the post.

Good luck with the interview!

Safeguarding as a definite. CAMHS, I'd make sure your able to speak confidently about managing confidentiality and possibly differing demands regarding this (e.g Fraser competency and risk management). Possibly something around managing conflict/disagreement within teams. Experience of providing clinical supervision. Examples of implementing service change.

Congrats on your interview, OP. I would prepare for: a risk/safeguarding scenario; a case presentation (be clear on assessment, formulation, intervention, use a proper theoretical model but be reflective about complexities and don't go on too long); something on consultation, supervision and/or management, something on national standards and waiting time targets. NHS Long Term Plan - implications. Social inequalities and equity/accessibility of therapies - especially at the moment, COVID is widening gaps.

Also - don't forget your soft skills. Interviews are competency based but for psychologists lots of these are around communication and if two candidates are competent it's often 'feel' that the panel go on. If it's an MDT CAMHS job you will likely have a team manager on the panel who will want to know that you are pragmatic and personable and that the team and families will engage with you. Sometimes when candidates are anxious they focus on conveying their technical skills and don't come across as approachable and client-centred as they actually are. So relax (easier said than done I know), smile, be warm and make sure everything you say about children, families and MDT colleagues is empathic and respectful. Good luck!

Thank you thank you and thank you!!!
@MajesticWhine how do I check your message? I'm so sorry I do not know how use mumsnet properly
Xxx

Follow this link ? You might need to log in

https://www.mumsnet.com/pm?call=Inbox&unread=0

Sorry I didn't want to post all the detail on the thread as it reveals quite a lot about my job

Thank you @MajesticWhine that's very kind of you ❤️

@crispsandwichnow How did it go?

@MajesticWhine Hello, I hope you are still active on here! I have a Band 8a interview coming up and was just wondering whether you had those interview questions available at all please? Happy not to have any qs that mat give your job role away! Any help would be soo appreicated!

@crispsandwichnow*@psychyogia @MajesticWhine* I am not sure if you are still active on here but I wondered if either of you would be willing to share any 8a questions you got asked please? Namely around management/leadership questions. Desperate for some help before my interview! Thank you so much!

I would be so grateful if anyone would be willing to share examples of their questions please. Not sure if you are still active on this forum. X