How to get an NHS interview

[LaughingGirl29]

I used to work for the ambulance service but left to start a family (there was no flexibility) I'm currently in a part time council job that I hate and would love to get back into the NHS.

I'm looking at band 2 clinical roles that I am hoping I could progress in in the future but even though I meet most/ all the criteria I don't seem to be hearing back about interviews.

Any tips on how to get an interview and what I need to do in the interview to get the job?

Have you tried going on the bank? Not ideal but a lot of contracted staff start off by working on the bank. Or have you considered clinical mental health posts?

How do you get a bank job? Is it just what's advertised on trac jobs? I would consider bank and not sure about mental health.
I am interested in radiology and had been looking at radiology assistant roles but not sure how to secure an interview.

So, you need to make sure that you clearly meet all the requirements on the application.

So if it says "works well in a team" make sure you include those words with an example. If it says under essential needs to be able to use Microsoft Office packages, make sure you include examples of having used these packages. If it says Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint you need to use these words and say when and how you have used them. It is tedious because you have to tailor each application a lot in the statement section and it takes ages. But if you don't do it, then you're automatically rejected, stupid, I know, but that's what they do.

Bank positions tend to be advertised by individual hospital trusts, if not, on NHS Jobs, Beta NHS Jobs or Trac jobs.

You may have to trawl your way through individual hospital websites.

read the job description and give examples for desired and expected
spellcheck
do a proper personal statement not just a one line job

The team I work for recruits monthly for the bank and the big thing is no proper personal statement

Contact you local Trust and as to join the staff bank. They are based in the HR department. They will do an informal interview with you to see what you're looking for and advice you of the jobs that normally come up. They use staff bank like their own internal agency. Once you're in it gives you a good idea of roles and places to work. Many people get permanent jobs from it. Good luck...

Thank you everyone, that's all really good advice! I will make sure to contact my local trust and make sure I tailor each statement better.

Should I contact the department before applying for a job for an informal chat or is that not essential?

Definitely contact them prior. Always good to get your face known. Working in ED as a HCA on bank would give you some useful experiences in radiography as well.

For shortlisting we literally just tick off criteria in the person spec that you've covered in your personal statement (and elsewhere in your application if qualifications etc). If you don't explicitly state it, you won't get the points.