Band7 NHS - had enough, want to change to Band3 admin role

[CalmaLlamaDown]

I’m 55 and been working in the same NHS dept for 34 years.

Workload unsustainable and new management toxic. I’m being ‘managed out’ despite having no performance or HR issues ever.

Currently signed off sick for 4 weeks. No way I can go back, I am devastated my NHS career could end like this. I don’t want to retire this early, I like working!

Been looking at NHS admin jobs, but would anyone employ a 55 year old woman who had only ever done one job?

I have lots of admin skills in my current role but no typing or admin qualifications.

Please could someone recommend a course I could do, eg NVQ3 in admin, and a reliable provider?

Are you a registered clinician?

Have you considered research? Are you in a teaching hospital? University nearby? All potential jobs where you'd be paid more like you currently are.
Good luck

I felt like you op five years ago after 30 years in Nursing ( although not as senior as you). I decided to change career and to be honest it was a bit of a shock that i realised that, due to being a nurse for so many years and only really working with one computer system I was woefully inadequate at basic computer stuff. I look back now and am amazed at what I wasn't confident doing - even simple things like using word, attaching documents to emails, navigating my way around new databases etc. However I had a supportive team and soon picked it up. I will never be great but can do what I need to for the job I do. I have never looked back. Just wanted to reassure you people can and do start afresh.

Thank you all for the excellent advice,

Re pension - no SCS status but I have 28 reckonable years in the 1995 scheme, thanks to the MCloud remedy. I spoke to Wesleyan last week and they said most important thing is to protect this year’s salary, so could do another two years at a lower band? Bit worried I’ll get it wrong though!

Re my job - it is a registered role that is quite niche. In my Trust, it’s only me, and 1 x band6 and our band8a team lead. No other Trusts within a reasonable commute unfortunately. We do have a v active research dept in the Trust, so yes there might be an assistant role that I could do.

Ironically, I was asked to act-up to the 8a role a couple of years ago before our new team lead started, but I said no because I was worried I couldn’t do my job at the same time. With hindsight, this was a big mistake.

Re secondment - I did 12 months with an NHSE digital team project. The secondment was for full time, but my boss would only release me 0.5 wte. It was impossible to do both roles at the same time and I did not do a good job.

To be honest, she was annoyed she hadn’t seen the advert for the secondment herself, as it was band 8a and in a real growth area. Here’s an example of the toxic behaviour - she told lies to payroll about my amended hours and got my pay stopped! It took months to sort out.

I don’t think a band 3 admin job would be easier as such, but I would have more to change jobs as there is more choice maybe? I am aware I’m quite naive about what it would be like to work somewhere else - I’m 55 and I’ve been there since I was 22. Never thought it would turn out like this!

Don’t say it op but I’m sure I know which trust, you have my sympathy.

Amspar course is brilliant even if you do part of the course, well respected for NHS admin. All the best x

No advice Op but wanted to wish you well as that sounds horrid and a horrible way to be treated.

Sounds very grim [she says, sitting applying for a band 7 job...]

I do wonder what has made you focus on a band 3 job, rather than looking at eg a WFH job for NHS England or another national body like NIHR or something? Have you had a really wide ranging look round? And even if the last job didn't go well, you've clearly learned a lot?

I really do not agree with this!

Can you do retire and return?

I was a senior manager in the NHS for over 22 years. Was 8b at the time I left.
I lost count of the structural reorganisations I went through and was never really "happy" but I loved the actual work. It was the constantly moving goal posts and constant changes of direction that was exhausting.
I left healthcare management completely 5 years ago.
I now own a business in a totally unrelated industry which I taught myself from scratch.
I don't miss my old life at all and could never go back.

Can you join the bank/NHS professionals? Much easier to join whilst you're already working in the NHS. I know lots of people that do band 2/3/4 admin work on the bank.

Agree with this. 💯 absolutely.

There's always an arsehole in every team and it can make even the most enjoyable job really really horrible.

Similar situation here and we are going through a restructuring process. Band 8 has been forced out, two band 7's are on long term sick. It's not even my profession. Ended up in it through the pandemic and stuck with it as it suited my circumstances.

Really be careful with regard to your pension. I've got 27 years in the 1995 scheme (12 years part time though) so considering my options for when I hit 60.

I've also been offered another band 7 role in my own field ...that's another dilemma!!