Re-entering the admin workforce NHS

[Lisaaas1]

Hello all,

Can anyone advise on behalf of a friend who has two DC and is re-entering the workforce after 7 years. She has IT skills and previous NHS admin experience as a PA. She would like to re enter the NHS as a band 3, would this be ideal after this space of time? She has updated her skills and done courses etc but no recent experience. Thanks 😊

Has she not been work at all?

She has done some ad hoc agency work and supports with her husbands work as he is aelfl employer so booking appointments, phone support etc.

I work in nhs admin and have done recruitment. I think if she has been out of work then she might be better applying for band 2 to get experience

she could try but i wouldnt go for the 2, it will be hard to move up to the 3,
she needs to show she has worked
has skills

Bus she's got experience. Why would she need to gain it when she's done this work before and has recent experience working for her husband too?

I'm just offering advice. I have worked with many great band 3 who previously worked as 2 beforehand

Thanks all. If she went into a band 3 role having worked as a band 4 albeit years ago would that be sufficient to apply for a band 3 role. She has experience and recent skills would this be enough or I think what she would like to know is should she start at band 2 despite the qualifications and experience?

no, she should go direct for the 3, good luck to her

I'd advise her to go for a 3. Ive recently returned but things for admin seem very different - grade 4 jobs are now retitled and paid as 3s, the same for 2s now doing grade 3 work for a lesser wage.
If she's previous experience she'll soon pick things up and update skills

3s and the new 4s

existing 4s are having to take on 5 role

3s are the new 4s and have been for 5 years

Thank you! Would they accept an application for a band 3 with no recent experience though do you think? If band 2s are the new 3s would it not be best for her to apply for a 2?

@Mumof1andacat sorry to hijack thread, I am applying to and NHS creative role for about the 5th or 6th time and I am yet to get an interview. Do you think I'm doing something wrong? I try and stick to the person specification and I have the right experience so I'm at a loss.

Again sorry to hijack thread OP!

Not a problem at all. What kind of role is it? you say creative but in what capacity?

Apply for the band 3 role. Mug up on how to apply. It's long winded to get it right!

If she's any good she'll get it. The standard of applicants in my NHS trust is shockingly low for band 3 admin.

No idea of career progression for admin though. NHS admin seems to be a dead end in that regard.

Local councils are very short staffed in some areas. Particularly for admin roles in social service sectors. It's a good time to apply if you've had a break. Career progression is good where I am.

Thanks all. Have passed on your thoughts and suggestions with the thought of looking at admin council jobs and those with the nhs. The issue seems a lot of the nhs admin jobs advertise with specific skills, qualifications and requirements needed before applying but it doesn't answer why so many seem to get through the door without the required skills, qualifications etc even when it is for a band 2 or 3 job. Anyone know why this is?

well she has done some computer programmes so i am sure she can relate her knowledge

transfer her skills