Do you always start from the bottom of the pay scale?

[dekoLL]

I'm thinking of applying for a position in the NHS that states a salary £13,653 to £16,753 pr. pa. Does anyone here knows if I will have to get the bottom of the scale first, or becouse I have extra qualifications and experience I might get more in the middle???
Any ideas?

Well, I have no experience of NHS but have worked in public sector and started at the top of the scale on a couple of occasions due to qualifications and experience. I always negotiated this upon being offered the job.

Not worked for NHS but in private sector I was automatically offered higher than starting salary because of relevant experience in previous job. Worth asking.

I recently read that if you're new to the NHS you'll start on the bottom, but I guess it could vary in individual cases?

They always offer lowest but then i always ask for higher up and generally if they want you and cant be arsed to go through whole recreuitment debarcle again theres a good chance they will oblige - nothing to lose really.

Yes I thought that I would go with the higher but then heard about the new to nhs bit. Anyone from the nhs here?

Under national pay and conditions agreement (agenda for change) all new to the NHS starters would start on the bottom of the payscale.
It is possible for managers to make a case for a higher start but there is (a) much paperwork (b) it has to be a very strong case so the relevance of your previous experience and qualifications would be key here
However in the current climate it would be unlikely that even if the appointing person agrees that would be able to get it through. In conclusion, you never know unless you ask but I'd say it was a slim chance.