Job interview for Band 6 team lead post in an assessment and treatment unit for people with learning disabilities.

[Bec1982RNLD]

Hi all

I qualified in 2016 as a learning disability nurse and have worked on an assessment and treatment unit ever since. I then back in November 2017 took on the role as Acting band 6 team leader on the unit, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I now have an interview for this role on April 9th (which is also when I start my maternity leave with baby Due on the 6th May) and I am getting a little worried about the interview. I am a bag of nerves in an interview so any advice or tips to help me prepare would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.x

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy and well done for doing so brilliantly in your career so far.

Make sure you know the Trust's mission statement/core values. For my last post, I faced a panel of 3, who took turns in asking a series of behavioural questions. I gave anecdotal evidence of how I dealt with various scenarios in the past - and how bloody brilliant I was at getting a positive outcome, of course

Good luck.

Not familiar with Trust interviews but make sure you are familiar with the criteria (will they tell you the competencies they are assessing - if they’re using competencies) and the format of the interview. Think about examples and situations you’ve been in. Make sure you LISTEN TO THE QUESTIONS and not just trot out your example whether or not it’s relevant. I only emphasise this because in my experience so many people don’t answer the question they’ve actually been asked.

Good luck. Nerves are normal. Do some ‘power poses’ in the toilet beforehand (look up the Amy Cuddy TED talk).

Thanks Emmageddon.

Yes, things have gone pretty quick but I knew I could take on this role. However, interviews are a different ball game. I freeze!! Mind goes blank!!

So been revising as they say quite a lot. Can you remember any of the behavioural questions you were asked? Thank in advance.x

Hi Sarah.
Unfortunately they have not informed me of any format for the interviews or if they will be using competencies.x

Scenarios I am trying to reflect upon. So thank you. I believe they will probably ask a few scenarios. It’s just answering them correctly.

I will also look up Amy cuddly TED talk. Never heard of that before. So thanks for the advice.x

Look at job description for competencies.

I would think they may ask about dols, challenging behaviour etc

From experience, be strong on safeguarding
How you have dealt with a safeguarding case would be good (even if it's only showing you know the issues and who to refer it to)
Anything innovative you have done I. In your practice (setting up any groups, changing practice, any research interests)
Why you could give to the service
What are your development needs?
Role of supervision (what you take from it, how you can supervise others - think of examples from your practice where you have given advice to others - knowing when to go to seniors) - they want to know you can practice safely

Posted accidentally
Also don't fret about what you wear - just look clean and competent. You don't need a suit
Honestly the people I interview who don't say that they would go to their supervisor or more experienced colleagues for advice about a difficult case - this is what you would actually do
Confidentiality too - take info but don't give info (learning dis not my field but needs to be borne in mind?)
Also before acting on a case scenario, tell them what you would do irl - check on patient computer records for risks etc, talk to others who have dealt with patient before to get info
Sounds simple but people forget in interview to say the obvious that they would do day to day
Also, someone said to me that they had read online that if u ask for the informal discussion which may be offered, that this is a minus point for you - this is no such thing in our trust. If you are going to spend a big chunk of your life somewhere it's more than reasonable to want to see the centre you will be based at and say hi to potential colleagues. It's a good sign for our place that someone really interested

Hi Mrs floss
I was thinking about dols and I am aware that Dols is looking to be replaced next year with LPS liberty Protection Safeguards. But need to read up a bit more on that proposal.

With regards to challenging behaviour. I have been looking at NICE Guidelines 10 & 11 and also the positive and proactive Department of Health document 2014.
But need to brush up more on Challenging behaviour etc. Just so much to look at and to sort out what is relevant.

Hi abitoflight

Thanks for the reply. You have mentioned a lot of points for me to consider so thank you.

Safeguarding is extremely important so I will brush up on all I need to know.

I have included supervision on my list, I have also included the innovative things I have done. I just hate Talking about what I have successfully done. Feel really awkward in doing so.

With regards to speaking to other staff I have always done that with regards to our patients even though I have been acting band 6. I feel it really important to do so. Along with confidentiality. I have also listed accountability.
Working according to our 6 c’s in wales.

I have also listed that I feel an important part of my role would be to support our ward manager band 7.

There is lots to think about. Just hope My mind don’t go blank.