Anyone work for NHS Trusts - Secretary

[violetcloud123]

Hi

After some terrible interviews I have been offered a job working as a secretary for the NHS. The job/hours etc. all seem great but as I haven't worked for the public sector or NHS before jsut wondering about pay and training opportunities. I know I will start on the bottom of the scale, do you get moved up at regular intervals or is it likley I will stay on that salary unless their is a universal pay rise. Also do they offer opportunities for training if you want to move to a higher level role. Also do they often restructure putting you at risk of a lower grade etc. The job is working for the NHS trust so not in a hospital setting.

I didn't want to ask and sound as though I was only interested in money or progressing but would be useful to know.

Hi I've worked as a secretary in an NHS Trust before so have some knowledge. You usually start at the bottom of the pay scale and get increments annually to the top of the scale to reflect your experience as time goes on. It is sometimes possible to negotiate a higher starting point if you are particularly well qualified or experienced. In theory public sector look after their staff with regards to training and opportunities to progress, but as in all walks of life those whose faces fit get far more opportunities than some others. The pension and leave allowances are quite good (certainly in my area compared to private sector) but everywhere I've worked has been chronically understaffed and so it can be quite pressured. Also in my Trust what used to be Band 4 level is now done by Band 3s, Band 3 stuff is expected to be done by Band 2s etc. It's also becoming apparent that to progress to admin manager or business support manager at about Band 5 you now need a degree! Good luck!

I currently work as a Med Sec in an NHS Trust. I'm probably not the right person to offer advice at the moment as we are currently going through an admin review and Band 4's are being downgraded to band 3s, supposedly for career progression - work that one out! So morale is at an all time low.
Anyway, the annual leave is good - 32 days after 10 years, but starting on 27. Sick leave is 6 months full pay. Maternity leave is good and the NHS pension is good too. All in all, working for the NHS is not bad really. Good luck.

Oh and also, you tend to get an annual pay rise as well as an annual increment. Then when you reach the top of the scale you just get annual pay rise (maybe only 1% or so - there has been a pay freeze for a few years that has only recently been lifted). Most Trusts advertise that they invest in their staff so be keen to attend training and show you're interested in progression.

That down banding thing stinks, doesn't it Ocelot? The med secs used to be band 4 because of the specialism, but now they don't recognise it. Then they get a load of temps in who can't spell or use medical terminology!