How are people’s vaccinator job applications going?

[JacobReesMogadishu]

We had a previous thread which I’ve lost. So after originally filling out the form to register my interest in Nov with NHSP and being told I’d hear back within 7 days I only got a link to fill out a proper appt a few days ago.

Done the application now and been told to wait to hear if I’m successful or not. I can really only weekends as I have a substantive 9-5 job to do but hopefully they will want all hands on deck and not turn a registered HCP who knows how to wield a needle away!

@goldpendant that's great!! really pleased to hear that. Hope it all goes well.

@goldpendant

Hi everyone, just checking in! I'm on my face to face training today, got a call yesterday afternoon!

Oh good luck. So glad you're getting something from it!

Finally had an email saying there are shifts available... but at the regional hubs so not local to me! But no access to the GRS app so I can book on 🤦‍♀️ Getting really frustrated with this now....

Update re sja someone just called to ask me why I hadn't booked my f2f training yet. I said because there was nowhere closer than an hour away and I didn't fancy a 100 mile round trip. She asked me why I hadn't booked the training in Manchester (which is where I am) I said because it hadn't come up. She agreed it wasn't coming up though she could see several slots 'on the system'. I said to her are they possibly full? She couldn't answer. She said to keep trying but I'd probably get another call in 3 days if hadn't managed to book on. Not sure if that was helpful but it clearly does appear to be possible to train in Manchester which is something I guess. I shall keep trying.

I suppose the good thing in all this is despite our failures to help out the NHS has somehow vaccinated nearly 8 million people which is absolutely terrific. Clearly the system can't cope with so many people wanting to help out. So perhaps they genuinely don't need many extra people (yet). But I imagine a lot of people helping out can't be pulled out of their day jobs indefinitely so in time perhaps they will rely more on us volunteers and new entrants.

positive news @Frazzled2207! And agree that we may be needed further down the line....

I've did my SJA F2F training on 22/1- and was rather hoping I'd get the link to be able to see the shifts available this week...but I've not heard anything this week, apart from being allocated to an area.

@Gadzookery
Ok good have you been able to join the area where you actually live? Despite my best efforts nobody has been able to confirm that they need volunteers where I actually am and travelling a long way isn’t really an option

@Frazzled2207

Well they appear to have nominated me to help in the 'area' where I actually live....so in the city where I am, from what I can tell they've carved it up into north/south/east/west - and I'm in the 'west' segment (which is where I live in relation to the city, if that makes sense). I do not get a sense though of how big each area is.

Oh well that’s helpful I suppose. Obviously there are vaccinations happening everywhere but still remains to be seen whether SJA need helpers everywhere or not.

[quote Gadzookery]@Frazzled2207

Well they appear to have nominated me to help in the 'area' where I actually live....so in the city where I am, from what I can tell they've carved it up into north/south/east/west - and I'm in the 'west' segment (which is where I live in relation to the city, if that makes sense). I do not get a sense though of how big each area is.[/quote]
Have you had your ID badge and log in? I've been given my area too, but nothing else despite doing f2f training on January 10th. I know they're looking for people in the area too because NHS returners got in touch.

@cathyandclare

No I haven't - and nothing in today's post....appears we're in the same boat! I think they must be overwhelmed with admin issues (for instance I just got a response to an email I sent to SJA about login problems on 21 Jan today).

And in more news, specifically @Layladylay234 - I've just been offered an actual job! With the trust!

@goldpendant congratulations! I'm a fe days behind you I think, have requested a specific trust after all the training/reference checks etc and just received an email to say I should hear soon 🤞 I first applied on 28th December so it's taken a while! Did you request full or part time or flexible hours?

• few

@MoiraNotRuby they will supply the proper face masks at the training - along with all the other PPE so you can practice putting it on and taking it off in the right order. I wore my own mask for most of the day.
They also have the masks at the vaccinations centres, so you wear your own to travel and then swap when you arrive.

@goldpendant

And in more news, specifically *@Layladylay234* - I've just been offered an actual job! With the trust!

That's amazing,congrats!

I had a generic email from NHS professionals last night. Summary:

• We've had a great response;
• we appreciate your patience;
• Long term project and NHS still bringing new staff on board;
• NHSP will provide details of successful applicants to trusts who will then lead their part of the programme in their area;
• Once a trust has contacted candidate and agreed onboarding/induction details, they will be part of vaccination team.
• If you are currently waiting news of your application (this is my situation) then please be assured we're working closely with our vetting/training/ occ health partners to complete your application.

Had the same here

DH had that yesterday too.

@Gadzookery same here.

@Gadzookery I had the same email today.

Hot on the heels of that I got another email today asking me about onboarding/occ health etc. So in terms of timelines to get from submitting my dbs check info and references to this onboarding email was 2 weeks.

Hmmm, I've not had that. The last one I had was on Tues which said this

Thank you for stepping forward to be part of the National Vaccination Programme. As you have now successfully completed the application process, including vetting, online training, and Occupational Health, we are pleased to confirm you are now ready to be referred to a Lead Employer Trust who will be in touch to discuss deployment opportunities as appropriate.

@LayLadyLay234 - so it looks as though you're further along than me - as you've done your occ health....I'm just at the beginning of that stage.

@Frazzled2207 ooh that's good news! I'm South MCR and wanted either MFT or Stockport. The closest trust on the list for me was Tameside and glossop so I just picked that. It's a bit far really but manageable I guess.

Glad to hear there's training for Manchester, shame I can't access it though!

This is all so different from my experience that I feel like I'm the one who fell through the gaps but for once in a good way! I applied in November (NHS Wales if that makes a difference) and somehow landed on every 'correct' desk going, I'm bank staff though so already in the trust which probably makes some difference. I was contacted by a training organiser who linked me up with the correct courses to 'attend' online (I already had access to the ESR system here) and with BLS in person. I got all that out of the way within a week and was contacted on Friday by a rota organiser to say she'd seen all my certificates and could I do my competency shift on Monday (21/12). I attended that and have been working full time ever since. Allied health professional not a nurse. It's a crazy fluid and developing situation week by week though, we seem to have days where we are doing competencies for 3/4 people who then go to other centres and we never see them again. As far as I can tell huge amounts of people applied and they are working hard to get everyone on board. It feels crazy to me that I managed to get in and working so fast.

Good luck to everyone, it's a brilliant job with really great colleagues once you get going.