NHS jobs - how long from successful interview to starting?

[Ditsy90print]

I know that’s a very broad question! But wondered for those who have started a new NHS job recently, how long did you have to wait to start?

Its a band 6 post I’m applying for it that’s at all relevant! I’ve got a dilemma in turns of a job I want to apply for and a golden handshake possibly holding me back in old job for a bit too long :/

It took 8 weeks, lengthy!

Ah that is, although I need more time 😂 my notice period for current job would be 8 weeks I guess anyway

Several months, in my experience, particularly if you need EPP clearance.

And they won't expect you to hand in your notice til the position is confirmed.

3 months was my experience..one of those I moved trusts within NHS but still took 3 months!

Months! It's the slowest process ever!

4 months for me as didn’t want to hand notice til everything cleared, advanced DBS took 6 weeks (possibly as I’d recently moved house)

About 8 weeks for me.

It took me 8 weeks and that was to move sideways in the same trust. Same job really but just in a different team, I didn't even have to give formal notice - but it just took ages!

I've recruited in the NHS over the last year. For a straightforward post it took about 8 weeks. For slightly more complicated it was 3 months. And that was with me being proactive and chasing.

I accepted a new post with a different trust 4 weeks ago and sent all relevant documents back 3 weeks ago.

So far I've not heard a thing and my references haven't been contacted. I emailed for an update today and got a 'we are very busy we will get to you' type of automated reply, so im thinking it's going to take a good while.

Firstly, don't hand in your notice until everything is finalised (ID, right to work, qualifications,references, DBS etc) - your job offer is only conditional until all of those have been verified.

Secondly, so much depends on your referees. So if you want things to move quickly, they need to be teed up ready to go (or not, if you want things to go slowly - not sure which it is from your OP).

If you need a DBS, then timing hinges on the time of year and police forces. If you have moved about the country, that will make it take longer. Also the number of people who make mistakes with dates or struggle to provide evidence is astonishing.

One other thing - some trusts start all new people on the same day, usually monthly. That means everyone does their induction before actually starting their job, which is of course preferable. That could mean that your start is delayed by almost a month if it falls wrongly for you.

Sorry, that's a really long answer I'd allow 2-3 months but it could be longer depending on the variables above.

All very helpful, thank you! I’m actually hoping for a slower start (not to jump ahead and assume I’d ever get an interview) so that’s reassuring