Please help - Band 6 CAMHS job

[Fluffyblobs]

Hello

I've been invited to a Band 6 CAMHS job interview. This would be great for many reasons but I've never worked in the NHS and so I'm worried about how the interview will be ?

Does anyone have any tips or advice? Any questions that would come up in particular?

Also, is it a good role for someone with kids themselves? I have a little one and plan to have a second in next few years most likely

Thank you

X

There's always a safeguarding question. Read up on the policy. Know what you'd do and who you'd speak to if you had a concern.

I remember being asked about “clinical governance” and going absolutely blank 😆

Can you say a tiny bit more about the role? (I'm a CAMHS clinical psych so can probably help)

Thank you so much so far everyone

Yes the role is for a Mental Health Worker - it seems quite an open role because it says you can be a nurse/social worker or other allied professional to apply @StainlessSeal

@StainlessSeal Do you enjoy the role and working for CAMHS? I've worked in other organisations where they can have a bit of a harsh rep

I’m band 4 admin so can’t be much help with band 6 questions.

But NHS have recently changed interview process so interviews are now more values based. Read up on the specific Trust values and have examples prepared for each value to show how you would meet them.

I’ve done a few NHS interviews, always get asked about how to deal with a difficult patient (link back to trust values of respect/person centered etc), and confidentiality so read up on information governance/ Caldicott principles.

Good luck!

@MayasJam That all sounds incredibly helpful thank you!

Look up the Trust's core values.
Also safeguardng.

Thank you

I work in NHS recruitment in CAMHS. I'll message you in a few

I would be thinking about safeguarding, managing risk, current service demands/developments, policies and legislation as well as general competencies and knowledge of child development, mental health and evidence based interventions. In my experience it's a good work environment for parents of small kids, good maternity pay and flexible working, but the emotional impact can be harder when having small children

There will be a question about equality I expect

Op, I recommend thoroughly reviewing the job specifications and asking numerous questions before starting. If possible, arrange to meet informally with a few staff members, asking them plenty of questions as well.

As a B6, will you be responsible for shifts alongside an RMN? If so, how often, and what support will be provided?

Consider the Trust's track record on patient safety and governance. Have these issues been highlighted in CQC reports or by service users or their relatives? A Google search and checking the CQC website for past inspections and reports can provide valuable insight.

In terms of the interview, it will likely be values-based, as is common in most NHS trusts. Familiarise yourself with the Trust's values as you may face questions related to them.

Best of luck!

I'd always recommend:

Learning the JD/PS-it tells you what they can ask you about.

Remember STAR. Situation. Task. Action. Result. The highest scoring answers will give examples of where you have used your theoretical knowledge and then assessed the outcome.

For example:

Situation: I needed an apple
Task: To find the best place to buy apples. I compared the price of apples.
Action: I went to aldi and bought an apple
Result. i got an apple, but although it was cheaper I spent more money on petrol getting there so it would have possibly been better to go to M&S.

Value based questions are what NHS employers use when creating questions and help to provide a framework for the answer they are looking for.

For example: Compassion.

It's a hard one to pin down, but it's what you do. You show compassion in your actions. In CAMHS it's about the YP, the family/carers. The whole family approach. You are supporting someone who didn't just appear in your clinic after experiencing difficulties in the last week. You are likely supporting a whole family who are at their wits end, so your compassion is understanding that and taking the time to listen, letting them speak and ventilate their feelings.

A B6 if it's a role you would be new into would expect you to have an interest in developing your skills in leadership but perhaps not have them fully refined. Take some time to review their leadership policies and how they expect their services to be well managed and lead. Use the trust values here to underpin your examples and thoughts about this.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone I really appreciate this! @NoEffingWay thank you very much. I've just seen these messages now!

@Leonarda89 Thank you for this, it's reassuring as I've heard awful stories about working for the NHS.
I've worked in CP before though so no stranger to stress and pressure

To update (because I hate when you can't find the ending when looking at old threads). I got offered x 3 jobs in the end! All Band 6.

Thank you for your help!

Amazing. Well done! I hope my advice helped/wasn't too late?!

@NoEffingWay no it was great advice thank you x

OP I'm so sorry - I offered help and the completely forgot! Do you still need help? If so, happy to chat over DM!

@StainlessSeal thank you for the offer! I'm sorted, got both job offers :)

Bloody well done op!

@Fluffyblobs that's FANTASTIC! Very well done 👏🏼