NHS Band 2 Interview Maternity Support Worker

[Caitss]

Hi, I have an interview next week for a maternity support worker role. I applied for this job on a whim not expecting much as I don't have any NHS experience and have worked in bars and restaurants for the past 7 years so I must have impressed someone with my supporting information!

I am really nervous as all my interviews have been really casual and chilled out and I know this is a pretty formal interview I've looked up common questions, trust values of nhs and the actual hospital itself but I'm absolutely crapping myself!

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me and help me know what to expect, I'm usually a pretty confident outgoing person deal with drunk people most of the time but this interview means so much to me as I want to go on to be a midwife and will be starting college to do so come sept!

thank you:)

Look up the STAR technique for answering competency based questions. Review the job description and the Trust values and most importantly be able to articulate why you want this job.

Good luck OP!

My sister in law recently started working as a maternity support worker (also no NHS experience). The only thing she’s said that I can think would be of use is…. the hiring midwife had said something about how they get a lot of people apply because they think it’s all baby cuddles and happy family moments, and that it absolutely isn’t. From watching my SIL, it looks like a lot of hard work and running about. So I think if you can convey what a hard worker you are, and how well you can work under pressure, then that’ll help.

As someone who has done a lot of NHS interviews in different scenarios, they only look formal. The NHS is obsessed with forms and tick boxes and making records of things. (Which helps in some scenarios but translates horrendously to things like job interviews). The interview may be really structured, but that doesn’t mean that their ultimate aim isn’t to try to get to know you as a person and see if you’ll be a good fit. Nerves are to be expected, don’t worry about coming across nervously, but just try and show the real you.

Theyll likely ask about what you know about infection control, confidentiality etc. They may give you scenarios and ask what you would do. I know this from personal experience.

They'll know you have no experience in the nhs so it'll be questions like

'When have you given good customer service and how did the customer react

When have you had to deal with a complaint' or ' have you ever had to diffuse a difficult situation, or a patient is waiting to be triaged and their partner is getting upset about the wait and all the qualified midwife's are busy how would you handle this situation?'

our questions that everyone is asked regardless of the role -

• tell us about yourself


• what did you do to prepare for this interview today


• What interested you specifically about this position


• they may give you a scenario such as dr A wants you to do XYZ but dr B also wants you do ABC, both at the same time. What would you do? How would you prioritise the drs requests.


• look up the trusts values and behaviours code, they may ask questions on this.


• What personal qualities do you have which are relevant to this position and set you apart from the other candidates?


• you disagreed with the way a senior colleague had managed a situation, what would you do?

we have key words that we use.. and if they say them then they score on the interview.. things liked confidentiality, awareness of safeguarding,

hope this helps :)

I’ll also add that everyone will be asked the same questions, wether they know you’ve had nhs experience or not. The questions are pre determined by someone who does not know who is being interviewed. It’s up to you to relate your experience to the nhs questions their asking.

I would also make contact with the department or lead person who will be interviewing you. Just ask what the job entails etc and show how keen you are.
I have just had a NHS interview and done this and it gave me extra points at my interview. ( I got the job). I learnt afterwards I was the only one to do this and they are keen for people to do it.
Good luck 🤞

Are you starting your Midwifery training in September or qualifications needed to apply for Midwifery training in the future? If you are interviewed in July and are successful, you may not actually start in post until September or later. The recruitment process in the NHS can be very slow. A MSW role is demanding physically and shift work can make studying difficult. You would not be able to do this role at tbe same time as a Midwifery degree course.

Thank you, no I'm not going to do both at the same time if I get the job I won't be going to college but if I don't get the job I'll be going to college. X

Thank you, I done this also hopefully gives me extra points too! Congrats on the job X

Thank you!! That has definitely helped X

Thank you so much X

Thank you!X

Thank you!X

Thank you! I actually never even thought of that until you mentioned haha! I'm definitely used to hard work and being on my feet for hours on end working in bars and restaurants and dealing with drunk people every week😂thanks a lot I'm a really outgoing and confident person but I just crumble when it comes to interviews I don't know what it is!