NHS Same job different bands?

[searchingforme]

I have recently applied for a trainee position It is listed as a band 3 however there is also the exact same position a different hospital and it’s a band 4 .These trust are due to merge next financial year. Now fingers crossed I get an interview if I do when should I mention about the discrepancy in banding? As it isn’t fair that what will be the same trust has the same post with two bandings.

Before you do anything, check the job descriptions. Titles mean nothing, grading is based on job content.
If the jd is identical, then it might be appropriate to query it.
Some appraisers seem harsher than others.

This sort of discrepancy in banding happens all too frequently, unfortunately. I would certainly ask at interview for clarification re banding post-merge - there may be a level of restructure and the 2 posts may be aligned, or they may decide to rewrite one of the job descriptions to provide a different reporting structure, but it’s definitely worth checking.

Thank you the job is a very specific role with exact same training/qualifications and JD
If I’m lucky enough to get a interview I don’t want to potentially put them off by asking about this but in the same vein it would mean taking a 2k a year pay cut to do this on a band 3!
would it be best to wait to see if I’m offered the post first? And then query it?

Also does everyone start on the bottom of the band ? I’m not currently in NHS employment I’m in primary care so still paying into NHS pension but I’ve got 10 years of previous NHS employment would this mean I would start higher up the band?

What qualifications have you got? I'm band 2, but if I wanted a band 3 job I'd need the relevant qualification (nvq 3).

You've probably got the lot, but just worth a mention.

Yes, I’d wait until I was offered the job and then ask - if you don’t get the answer you want then you can think about whether you still want to role. Same with the salary - usually there’s some level of flexibility, esp if you’ve got previous NHS experience, but that’s part of the negotiation once you’ve been offered the job. When I interview I’m focused on getting the best candidate - the other stuff might need input from HR or finance, so I’m not always in a position to answer questions about salary, restructure, job descriptions etc there and then.

@SirChenjins many thanks. This is what I thought too.

@Shiningstarr I have a relevant degree but I get what you are saying.

The two posts have the exact same requirements and lead to the exact same qualification. I’m querying it as the trusts are merging this April so there will be employees of the same trust doing exactly the same job on entirely different bands! I do think it needs aligning.

@searchingforme

So your degree is relevant to the role?

If it is then you wouldn't need the nvq 4 as you have equivalent qualifications.

You can apply for the band 4

@Princesspollyyy I wasn’t asking if I could apply for the band 4 it isn’t at the same hospital so I won’t apply as it’s too far away. I know I have all the essential requirements and qualifications for both posts they are exactly the same, same
requirements etc. I was querying why the same job is a different band at another hospital especially if the trusts are merging and if that then means this is negotiable.

Here's a thought.... why not contact the hospital and ask??

😂 Why does anyone ask questions on a forum? To gauge experiences and thoughts prior to doing as you advise. As per the reply above I will wait to see if successful before I ask the hospital this question.

If you look the job advertisement you will see there will be a contact name a number to ask questions just like the one you have.

Why do people ask questions on forums when we are not likely to know the answer, but you'll have the answer you're looking for if you just ask!!

😂😂

OP - this was ignore the stupid 😂 I would be a surprised if someone asked me about salary before they were offered the job - my contact details are on there for questions related to the actual role, not to question the money as that’s something I would negotiate after I knew what the successful candidate was bringing to the role.

If the Trusts are merging together, there will very likely be a ‘restructure’ of all the admin roles, and their aim will be to downgrade the band 4s from the other Trust to a 3. In my experience, they never upgrade admin bands. They will have a consultation period, however, that is just lip service, as the managers will always get their way, as there will no doubt be a cost saving element to the merging, and they will probably get rid of some admin roles. Their mantra is results for the present to look good, but with no long term vision for the fall out they will create.

Twice a Trust I worked for had a restructure of admin, as unfortunately, admin roles are the easiest and first target they aim for to save money, and then later down the line they realise that actually they have caused dreadful problems, as they did need all the admin they got rid of, as targets are then missed etc, with not enough staff left to do the work, which then falls to clinical staff to do.

Agree with pp, they usually down band.

Different story here - our restructures have (v fortunately) resulted in upgrading, so there is hope!