Can I be a part-time HCA?

[PopT4rts]

I've got a job interview as a HCA next week - I've wanted to work in a hospital since my daughter was born a few years back ( I know, what a weird calling 😅) and I'd stipulated on my personal statement I wanted part-time and flexible working which they'd put on the job post as well but my I am worried they'll just expect me to do the long hours.

I have two children, my husband does shift work, and I am the driver so responsible for nursery/school pick-ups and drop offs. So I could give 9-5 hours during the week, and the occasional night shift, but I think they'll see that as a negative.

My friend who is a nurse said they'll sell you the dream by telling you flexible working can happen, but then expect you to do their 13 hour shifts which I am unable to do!

HCA work is what I'd really like to try, but maybe I am rushing in to it all and maybe need to wait a few more years until both my children are at school, as my husband can then help with drop-offs/pick ups as it's in walking distance.

I'm currently part-time in a job I don't like. When I went back to my job after mat leave, I was told the company was sold and I'd be moving in to a new job at this new company, and it isn't something I want to be doing long term. I am also tired of working from home - I need human interaction 😅it's been 3 years of home working.

I can see on the NHS website they advocate flexible working, but in reality, how likely is that?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

It totally depends on the company and the needs of where you work.

I have worked in healthcare for 20 years. The majority of jobs have been 12 hour shifts, however would accept some shorter shift cover such as 7am-2pm or 2pm-10pm or 16:00pm till midnight. But In all honesty, I have never known healthcares work 9-5 unless it is a day/outpatient unit.

You could try agency hcsw work? That way you could choose to just do one night a week or something when it suits you

Hi I work in NHS! Basically all shifts start at 0700/0730 in the morning. We do “early” and “late” shifts early is 0700-1330 and late is 13:30-1930! The only wards that do 9-5 are clinics and they normally have a high demand due to people seeking office hours. It’s flexible as in you don’t work Mon-fri but the times aren’t great. Nightshifts are child friendly and you could sleep through the day my nhs also does twilights which are 19:30 to 0200 which are a bit more friendly but these aren’t set to a ward and only available on the locum part!

Unlikely you'll get a 9-5 job on a ward.
We do long days 7/7.30 - 7.30/8.
You could offer to do a couple of nights a week? Husband at home with kids , sleep in the day.

Thanks everyone - the short shift options sound like something I could work with, think it's just knowing my options and I what I could work around with my husbands work and childcare.

This is providing I actually get offered something ha. But I didn't want to turn up to interview and be like "no I can't do that..." but wanted to give realistic expectations on what could work.

More I think about it, the more I think I might need to hold off on my career a bit longer as my son still doesn't sleep well through the night so it'd be up to my husband to sort him (he's breastfed, son not husband 😂) - I just keep finding obstacles but just desperate to leave what I am doing now and an active healthcare role is what is calling to me.

Thank you all for your input.

Hi. I’ve recently started as a hospital HCA and am in a very similar situation to you with husband’s unpredictable shift work and figuring out childcare. I was honest in the interview, told them what I could/couldn’t do shift wise, and was recruited onto Bank staff. I get to choose my shifts and which wards to work on. Win win! My advice is to go for it, be honest and hopefully the recruiters will be supportive and find a way for you. If not, at least you’ve had good practice at the interview and hopefully another door will open for you in the not too distant future. Good luck :)

Like @Trix789 a friend interviewed for an HCA job and after the initial training just signed up as a bank HCA. She now chooses shifts that suit her availability.