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Interview for healthcare assistant - please help me

22 replies

tasja · 15/10/2007 11:17

Hi there
I'm going for an interview on Wednesday morning for a healthcare assistant for brain injury patients.
Can anybody help me, I have no idea as to witch questions I'm going to get.
I've already practiced the skill/ good/bad points about yourself. why must they choose me ect.
What other questions would they ask me?

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tasja · 15/10/2007 12:31

bump

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tasja · 15/10/2007 12:59

x

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DumbledoresGirl · 15/10/2007 13:01

Do you have any experience of brain injuries?

tasja · 15/10/2007 13:02

no, they said I don't have to have any experience. I will get training, should I get the job

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DumbledoresGirl · 15/10/2007 13:04

Ah I see. I was hlaf thinking you that if you had experience, you might be able to answer questions about their needs and how you could meet them, but if you are not expected to know that already.......

DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 15/10/2007 13:04

So, there's the usual:

Why do you want the job?
What strengths and skills do you have that meet the person spec?

Then maybe a couple of 'what would you do' scenario questions - so something like:

What would you do if a patient started fitting/collapsed/something else scary and you were on your own/no nurses, doctors nearby?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

What professional development needs do you have?

What would you contribute to team working on the ward/unit?

brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:05

Brain Injury Pts sometimes display inappropriate behaviour,over friendliness,violence,sexual etc.You might want to consider how you would deal with this.

DumbledoresGirl · 15/10/2007 13:06

Oh God Dotty, your questions are frightening me and I am not even going for the job! Mind you, I have just been rung up and offered an interview on Weds so I am in a frightened rabbit staring into headlights state right now anyway!

tasja · 15/10/2007 13:06

Thank you, anything else?

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flowerybeanbag · 15/10/2007 13:06

Cutting and pasting from a previous thread on interview tips so apologies for not being specific to you but hopefully might help-
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Do you have a job description? If so you should be able to work out a lot of the questions. Have a look at the person spec, where it says what skills/abilities/experience etc the person needs.
You can almost guarantee there will be at least one question related to each of the things listed. Those things are listed because the successful candidate must have them, so the purpose of the questions really is to give the candidate a chance to demonstrate that. Other questions may pop up as well obviously, but it gives you a good framework to start with.

So look at all the things you need to have from the list on the person spec, and think of an example of when in the past you have used x skill or demonstrated x ability. Including background, why the situation was successful, what you learnt from it, whether you would do anything differently etc.

If you've got those examples ready in your head to cover all the things on the person spec, you ought to be able to handle most questions. Talking about a past example rather than a hypothetical 'I would do x, y z' is more convincing and reassuring for an employer and is easier for you as well, you will feel more confident talking about stuff that's happened than you would trying to imagine what you would do in x circumstance.

Even if the questions asked are hypothetical 'what would you do' ones, make sure you answer with examples anyway. Also if you have some examples worked up in your head you will feel more confident as you won't go in completely blank about what you are going to say for the next hour.

Other than that, hold head high, relax your shoulders and neck and keep relaxing them - that's where you find yourself automatically tensing up. Just every so often make yourself aware of your shoulders and neck and consciously relax them - it makes a lot of difference.

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good luck tasja

DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 15/10/2007 13:07

What do you understand by patient confidentiality?

What would you do if a relative or friend of a patient asked you how Mr xxxx was doing?

DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 15/10/2007 13:07

DG! These are the questions I would ask - I must be a scary interviewer..! What's the job you're going for? (and good luck!!!)

tasja · 15/10/2007 13:09

Thank you all!

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tasja · 15/10/2007 13:09

healthcare assistant

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DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 15/10/2007 13:10

Sorry Tasja - I was hijacking slightly and asking DG what job she's going for!

DumbledoresGirl · 15/10/2007 13:11

I am not going for a job specifically. I am going for a place on a returning to teaching course. I am taking the attitude that if they want me, they will take me as I am. If they expect me to know everything about teaching now, after 11 years out, they can stuff their course!

Good luck tasja!

DumbledoresGirl · 15/10/2007 13:12

Not sure I would get a job in a biscuit factory with that attitude, but I am so scared, I can't think beyond that!

tasja · 15/10/2007 13:13

You too DG!

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DottydotsofBloodOnTheFloor · 15/10/2007 13:13

ooh - well good luck to both of you!

tasja · 15/10/2007 13:14

thank you

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fibernie · 15/10/2007 13:23

You could read up a little bit about brain injury here
Hope this helps.

fruitymum · 15/10/2007 13:31

When looking for HCAs I would be looking for someone who has a kind and caring nature, is keen to learn and be happy to undergo further training to help facilitate the job. To know a little about the patients that you will look after would be helpful but you don't need to panic about knowing loads of medical/nursing facts as that is what the docs and trained staff are for.
An ability to stay calm and know when and how to get help, to be able to communicate well with people and have a sense of humour are all attributes that are welcome.
Good luck !

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