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Original poster

How are people’s vaccinator job applications going?

696 replies

JacobReesMogadishu · 31/12/2020 13:49

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!

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 12/02/2021 17:51

@Layladylay234
I’ve applied and not heard anything.

Also applied to sja and did the online training but got really cross again this morning when I was called up and basically told off for not booking onto training despite there not being any currently available in my city (Manchester, quite a big place!). Also was told off for not uploading 2 utility bills? Despite uploading passport ages ago. It definitely asked for either or.
And the lad that called had no idea how I could upload without reapplying again. I’ve spent loads of time doing online training and still got nowhere and am pretty cross tbh.

Layladylay234 · 12/02/2021 17:54

@Frazzled2207What was the last contact you had with NHSP?

cathyandclare · 12/02/2021 17:59

My vaccinating sessions for next week have been cancelled. I feel a bit defeated by it all. I'm going to sign up to do before/after care instead I think.

Frazzled2207 · 12/02/2021 18:02

I applied at the beginning of January and got to the mini recorded interview stage. Had some emails from them basically saying bear with us but nothing concrete since then. But someone upthread said that hardly any areas are actually taking on any non hcp vaccinators so I think it’s probably going to turn out to be a waste of time.

Frazzled2207 · 12/02/2021 18:07

@cathyandclare
How disappointing
Clearly some people are doing it as half a million jabs were done yesterday. I know/guess it’s mostly existing hcps but surely it’s not sustainable for these guys not to go back to their usual jobs soon.

cathyandclare · 12/02/2021 18:07

I think you're right. But ironically nearly everyone at my training session was a HCP volunteering because they were frustrated by the slow NHS and didn't need to be paid.

Hopeful646 · 12/02/2021 20:06

I'm routing for you ladies , one of us has to succeed in actually getting to vaccinate through NHSP. Despite being offered a HCA /admin role by my local trust 2 weeks ago ( as they aren't using no healthcare vaccinators) I haven't heard anything else from them .

Layladylay234 · 12/02/2021 21:43

@Hopeful646

I'm routing for you ladies , one of us has to succeed in actually getting to vaccinate through NHSP. Despite being offered a HCA /admin role by my local trust 2 weeks ago ( as they aren't using no healthcare vaccinators) I haven't heard anything else from them .
Ugh that is so frustrating. I'm now at the point where I just think,I've come this far,I may as well continue
Beemail1 · 13/02/2021 08:25

Applied through sja, had interview but unable to access online training.
Anyone else. I have let them know, new password issued but still no success. Very frustrating as just want to get started. It did let me book F2F training in Ashford for end Feb assuming online training complete by then. This now cancelled. Next available and accessible is end of March. Help!

firenze86 · 13/02/2021 11:19

Just found this thread! Can I ask what the sja interview and training process was like for the vaccinator position? And if I am likely to be successful if I am not a healthcare professional? (Qualified beauty therapist and nursery teacher)

oneglassandpuzzled · 13/02/2021 11:24

@cathyandclare

My vaccinating sessions for next week have been cancelled. I feel a bit defeated by it all. I'm going to sign up to do before/after care instead I think.
Oh no!

My husband’s fed up because having FB done the training he’s been told rather curtly that there are no vaccinator positions ‘full stop’ at the centre he was supposed to going to. So what was the point?

Olympicfan · 13/02/2021 13:20

DD has her face to face vaccinator practical training on Tuesday.

Slowly she is getting there.

Frazzled2207 · 13/02/2021 14:36

@Beemail1 @firenze86
Sorry to say it's been a complete disaster for me. The video interview was totally fine (about a month ago now). Then I started the online training but lots of technical glitches and very un-user friendly. I've got nowhere trying to book onto face to face training. Even if I manage to get on, I'm unsure if there will be any shifts available locally. Nobody seems to be able to tell you this. As with the NHSP application, what is the point if there are no opportunities where you live? I think sadly it's looking like a colossal waste of time.

MMAMPWGHAP · 14/02/2021 11:50

I’ve gone via the SJA route. Am not medically qualified. Completed all training inc F2F by 2nd Jan. Waited weeks for an id to arrive. Had booked a slot at a very large centre nearby but had to shelve that due to no id (arriving with DBS and passport is not good enough apparently). Have since discovered that the large centre is not taking SJA vaccinators, only as carers and advocates.
Am trying to vaccinate at two other centres nearby but slots are very oversubscribed. Am beginning to wonder why I bothered. Was given the impression that it would be 1HCP to 5 or 6 St John volunteer vaccinators but it doesn’t seem that way.
I think that several slots I have volunteered for have been allocated to someone without me receiving any info - ie you get notified if you have a confirmed slot but not if someone else is confirmed for the slot. This leaves you somewhat in limbo.
I finally have my first shift today (as an advocate), 6 weeks after I completed the training.

cathyandclare · 14/02/2021 11:57

@MMAMPWGHAP

I’ve gone via the SJA route. Am not medically qualified. Completed all training inc F2F by 2nd Jan. Waited weeks for an id to arrive. Had booked a slot at a very large centre nearby but had to shelve that due to no id (arriving with DBS and passport is not good enough apparently). Have since discovered that the large centre is not taking SJA vaccinators, only as carers and advocates. Am trying to vaccinate at two other centres nearby but slots are very oversubscribed. Am beginning to wonder why I bothered. Was given the impression that it would be 1HCP to 5 or 6 St John volunteer vaccinators but it doesn’t seem that way. I think that several slots I have volunteered for have been allocated to someone without me receiving any info - ie you get notified if you have a confirmed slot but not if someone else is confirmed for the slot. This leaves you somewhat in limbo. I finally have my first shift today (as an advocate), 6 weeks after I completed the training.
I am in a similar position- except I still don't have my ID so my sessions have been cancelled. I feel very despondent. I'm in Yorkshire, so hoping for more availability when they expand the centre at Elland Road in March. I applied through the NHS too but not heard anything, I'm a doctor ( non-clinical field but have vaccinated loads in the past) but it doesn't seem to have helped at all!
laughingnow · 14/02/2021 13:46

Exactly the same as Frazzled described. World beatingly rubbish.

Olympicfan · 14/02/2021 14:07

DD's NHS ID lanyard arrived this morning via a courier.

Practical training (2hrs) is booked for Tuesday.

MrBeagles · 15/02/2021 20:33

Another non medic here applying through NHSP. I've done all the training, form filling out, ID checks, DBS, refs, screening, occupational health etc etc and have just had an email from my lead trust pretty much saying 'thanks, but no thanks' as they have enough staff, but place holding me for some point in the future.

I feel really disappointed tbh. When I applied, they did have vacancies (obviously) else I wouldn't have responded.

Still, on the bright side, I guess it means the population are getting vaccinated.

Hopeful646 · 15/02/2021 20:58

Sorry @MrBeagles . It's rubbish isn't it after all the online learning and form filling etc. NHSP should have been clear at the start about the process and all the online learning should be left until a post secured .

Gadzookery · 16/02/2021 10:02

@MrBeagles

Another non medic here applying through NHSP. I've done all the training, form filling out, ID checks, DBS, refs, screening, occupational health etc etc and have just had an email from my lead trust pretty much saying 'thanks, but no thanks' as they have enough staff, but place holding me for some point in the future.

I feel really disappointed tbh. When I applied, they did have vacancies (obviously) else I wouldn't have responded.

Still, on the bright side, I guess it means the population are getting vaccinated.

I'm sorry to hear this, Mr Beagles. It is rubbish, I agree - after all that work you've done. I appreciate that the situation is changing on the ground rapidly but better linking between the trusts and NHSP might have helped.

I bet I get the same email as you! Still waiting to hear.

Beemail1 · 16/02/2021 10:53

Some of the technical stuff resolved (sja) and managed to complete all online training last weekend so have now booked F2F training. 8.30 to 5.30 in hotel about an hour away. Can anyone tell me what I'll be doing all day?!

cathyandclare · 16/02/2021 13:36

@Beemail1

Some of the technical stuff resolved (sja) and managed to complete all online training last weekend so have now booked F2F training. 8.30 to 5.30 in hotel about an hour away. Can anyone tell me what I'll be doing all day?!
Some interactive talks on theory. Practical vaccination training, role play, resuscitation, recovery position, anaphylaxis etc. It's pretty comprehensive.
Beemail1 · 16/02/2021 15:20

Thanks for this. I'm looking forward to actually going somewhere!
Glad it's so comprehensive. Just hope I'll be able to use these skills in the not too distant future

Olympicfan · 17/02/2021 13:01

DD had her f2f vaccinator training yesterday. 2 hours at a local hub with 11 other would-be vaccinators.

She learnt how to inject an orange numerous times then progressed on to a dummy arm! She then spent some time observing an vaccination centre at work. There were only 7 bays and the centre was not busy at all.

Next week she has life support and resuscitation training then she is fully qualified as a vaccinator and Health Care Assistant for vaccinator centres.

She asked if there would definitely be shifts at the end of the training (this thread has been so useful for her) and was told yes, but only at vaccination hubs, not a GP surgeries. They are going to open up more hubs to get the 2nd doses and the under 50s vaccinated in our area.

The other would-be vacinators she spoke to were ex cabin crew and a lady who worked in a pharmacy.

Hopeful646 · 17/02/2021 13:16

@Olympicfan that's fantastic news and sounds really promising . Think that's the problem where I live it's all GP centres or the hospital. I'm over an hour from a big hub . Keep us posted on how she gets on.