Needing some NHS career advice

[njg616]

I'm currently a band 5 team leader looking for some career advice. I'm unhappy in my current job as I do everything BUT manage the admin team due to pressures in other departments and therefore constantly work a 50 hour week

I'm going for band 6 interviews but never successful. I cant seem to make that jump from a 5 to a 6. The feedback is always 'you were one point off getting the job' but I suspect its more about someone being earmarked. I know I'm more than capable.

My manager doesn't want to give any advice and takes it defensively when I brouch the subject of leaving. I have had zero professional development opportunities since I started 18 months ago.

Does anyone have experience of moving from a band 5 to a 6 in the NHS?

What profession are you in?

Yes same question! Presumably you’re clinical?

When applying for B6 jobs have you been contacting the manager and other people before applying? I have noticed that this is expected as you move up and gives you an opportunity to focus your application and interviews on what they are said they are looking for. Be specific when you speak to them and ask what are they looking for, what are the challenges of the role etc.

Also have you undertaken any of the nhs leadership training? Most trusts have programmes but there are also the NHS leadership academy ones e.g Edward Jenner

Also look for a coach or a mentor in the field you want to go into. It's much more common than you think and really helps you show you are committed to progressing

OP, are you BSM? If so, my advice would be to look elsewhere - equivalent to B6 in responsibility and pay - better options out there in terms of pay and working conditions

If after a year or so, you fancy going back to the NHS, you will definitely stand a better chance. Strange but that's how it works.

Admin but I have worked clinically as a registered nurse

This was looked into but people just kept cancelling due to being so busy unfortunately. Maybe it's different in other trusts but mentoring happens very rarely where I am

I’m in the NHS and hate the way the interview system works. I’m band 6 going for b7. As a PP said, it really helps to network and get in touch with the person advertising the role. This has been really effective for me in my last two roles as I got a sense of what they were looking for and if I would be a good fit.

You are right that some jobs are just earmarked for people, I see that a lot and I’ve been on the short side of that too. Good old NHS eh?!

Also - I had no idea they had b5 admin! Not a thing in my Trust weirdly

I do contact interview leads beforehand and introduce myself. Some can be quite frosty though and see it as trying to get information that would put the other candidates at a disadvantage.

I have looked at the Edward Jenner programme and will consider it again

I agree Edward Jenner would be good for you

Also consider looking at digital roles, with admin and clinical experience you may be able to get into clinical system training or clinical analysis with a bit of development

Also subject access, records management or clinical coding may be an option

The band 6 and above admin/managerial numbers are small, so very competitive to get.

Dies your trust have a formal coaching scheme that may be more reliable than an informal arrangement