Being interviewed by someone three bands below me?

[Elsiebear90]

I have been doing agency work for an NHS department for the last twelve months as a senior clinical specialist, the manager has secured funding for a permanent post and I am the only applicant and candidate.

I received my invitation to interview yesterday and was quite surprised and confused to see the panel members are the manager and an assistant three bands below me. I can’t be too specific about job titles as it’s fairly niche and could be outing, however, it would be the equivalent of an advanced nurse practitioner interview with the ward manager and a HCA on the panel.

At other trusts for a role of this banding consultants are usually on the panel along with department leads. I feel quite confused as to how someone who is not trained to and cannot perform my role, and does not manage people who perform my role (or anyone in any capacity) will be able to assess my suitability for the role.

As not to drip feed, manager is very close to this person and has form for treating them as a pseudo deputy manager to the point where this person feels it appropriate to dictate and delegate to senior members of staff (which is causing tension in the department).

I feel it is inappropriate and quite insulting to be interviewed by someone I am senior to, especially given the dynamics in the department.

My question is do I just suck this up and not mention it? Or do I discuss it with the manager?

I queried it with some colleagues and they were shocked and assumed it must have been a mistake.

Very normal in nhs. We always involve team members regardless of banding.

Don't be so cocky. The position may have been created for you, but you still have to score higher than the other candidates at the interview. A number of years ago I got a job in the NHS that was supposed to go to someone else. I just happened to score 3 points more than her. Her, who had been doing the job for 8 years at that point as a temp. I came from a completely different department.

Panels are made up of a range of people. Seniors, peers, HR personnel, staff from the wider team etc. They will be looking at how you fit within the wider team, not just at your ability to do the job. Your attitude to those you see as below you isn't great. You better hope that doesn't come out in your interview.

I see what you mean OP, sounds odd to me as clinical NHS staff.
As an aside, why on earth is this person prepared to do all these "extra duties" way above her banding?
Nothing monetary in it for her
Bizarre

Are you hinting that she's only there because she isn't white?

Where did you get the impression that she 'isn't white'? Have I missed some posts?

The references to being there as part of/linked to diversity.

I have never known that to happen in 30 years!!!

The posters were just saying that a junior member of staff can still ask 'core values' questions rather than specialist clinical ones. There was no indication that the junior staff member was from a 'diverse' group herself.

Yep and it's not looking good for you

I’ve worked in the NHS for 30 years and have been on both sides of the interview table - I’ve never seen this and have never heard of it happening, it’s very tightly controlled. I’d be having a quiet word with HR to check what the policy is.

This is quite common in the civil service, especially to meet diversity requirements.

I quite like a mixed grade panel as everyone has a different perspective - it's quite a different view interviewing someone you'll be managing vs someone you'd be managed by.

I think the panel grading and the clique are different separate issues.

A panel, perhaps - 2 people do not constitute a panel. HR should be able to clarify though.