NHS band 6 midwife interview

[Cvn]

NC in case the interviewers are on here 😄I've just found out I have an interview in a couple weeks for a band 6 role in the vulnerable women's team (I'm currently a band 6, but not in any specialist role) I've been at my current trust for 8 years so it's ages since I've done an interview - this is at a new trust - and I'm bricking it. Can anyone help me with what to expect?! Are the questions likely to focus on the specialism or will there be lots on general midwifery? (I haven't done intrapartum for ages, for example, so I'd need to brush up quite a bit if they were going to ask me about that in any detail. This role will be mostly based in a clinic, not on the wards.)
Also, a couple specific questions: should I tell them in the interview that I'm currently on mat leave, as I wouldn't be able to start immediately? And it OK to ask about salary? The job advert just has the band 6 range from AfC, but where I fall within that range would have a huge bearing on whether or not I took the job.
In terms of clothing, a suit is too much, right? Would smart cigarette trousers and a blouse be OK?
And - really, really stupid overthinking question - if it was an interview for an office job, I would shake the interviewer's hand when I came into the room. But a hospital isnt the sort of environment where people are shaking hands, so it feels really unnatural and pretentious. Is it expected?? 🫣

Hopeful bump!

Hey, im in a different sector, but I would always advise to be honest. A job has to suit both the employer and the employee. If you can't work immediately, and that doesn't work for them, then there's no point hiding that. Same with salary, although I would perhaps wait until they offer it to you before negotiating start salary. But given they know you're a band 6 already, I'd be surprised if they don't expect to have to pay you in the upper range.

Best of luck, I'd imagine they'd snap you up with 8 years experience. Remember - if someone was already doing it, chances are they won't be going for it. So most people interviewing will be new to aspects of the role. It's a positive that it's new to you, you'll be genuinely interested, proactive, excited to do the role.

I’d expect the questions to be role specific, maybe a scenario based one, deffo a safeguarding & a conflict one. They’ll want to know you’ll practice inclusively, so an EDI question. They’ll probably want you to understand the needs of the deprived areas in the city, that’s easily found on insight pages. Also, you would probably go in on the banding as per your increment date. Very rarely in the nhs do they move you up.

No idea about the questions or midwifery in general but I wouldn’t mention either your maternity leave or your salary at interview. Wait until offer.

Thanks for all the advice! Hm, mixed opinions re mentioning maternity leave. I guess I'll see if it comes up organically or not, e.g. if they ask when I'd be able to start, or what my current role entails or something.
@SchoolShenanigans Thank you for your encouraging words. I'm super nervous and out of practice due to the mat leave and that gave me a lovely little boost 😊
@Offredismysister Thank you for the tips, I hadn't heard of insight pages before so that was really useful!

Maybe be ready for a slightly different question too.
A recent NHS Band 6 nursing question was
“ How would your best friend describe you?” ( heard of)
My eldest daughter was asked “ What question were you hoping we’d ask and can you answer it?” NHS high level position
Good luck

You should transfer over on the same point in the salary band and keep your increment date.

HR would be able to clarify if you were offered, the interviewers might not know the specifics.

Presumably it will be in a meeting room so handshaking might feel more normal - just follow their lead.

Smart trousers and blouse will be fine.

A while ago there was a phase about asking everyone a question about equality and diversity. So look it up and prepare an answer.

OP the job will be paid at the exact banding you are on now as that’s how the NHS works (unless you happen to go up an increment in the mean time but I suspect you’re top b6 already?). So no need to ask about salary. Re mat leave, there are strict rules about discrimination in nhs hiring practices, and tbh I wouldn’t expect someone to start for 3-4months following interview as a minimum as standard, so I imagine you’ll be fine mentioning it if it comes up naturally in conversation. Try not to be too nervous, this is like a conversation with a colleague, you are a senior midwife already and know your stuff!

If it’s a different trust, look at trust values and reflect them in your answers. They are likely to do some scenario based questions but if you’re an experienced midwife you should have a fairly good grip on safeguarding already.

You should ask about working patterns, weekends, on call requirements etc as this is all important to know how it could affect your return to work. Good luck!