I've been looking for full-time health service work for a few month since relocating. I have just been offered 2 NHS jobs, but neither is an ideal fit considering childcare, hours offered, salary and prospects. They are both the same salary at Grade 3.
Should I accept one and see how it goes or keep applying and hope something better comes up? I don't want to mess anyone around and really need an income asap.
1st job is Physiotherapy Technical Instructor. Its full-time, 8:30am start, 45minute commute, working regular Sundays (but have Fridays and Saturdays off), career adjacent working in Physiotherapy, better career progression prospects.
The work, team and service seem great, but I'd have issues with morning childcare, the commute is longer, and I'd have to work Sundays.
Should I accept and then try to negotiate the start time once in the role? Or ask about start times, up front and risk having the conditional offer retracted?
The second job is as a Living Well Coach. It's part time 2 days per week, 9am start, no weekend work, 20 minute commute. It's directly linked to my previous career track in Health coaching (but at a lower pay/grade than my previous role). I applied twice for the job and finally got offered a few hours as a job share.
The team seem great, but I may be limited as I'd be at the bottom of the ladder, potentially have less opportunities to develop and progress as I'd only be in for 2 days per week. But it fits in with childcare much better, with no long commute.
However, I'd have to find a 2nd job to fit around it, as I can't afford a part-time income long-term.
I feel more excited about the physio job, as I feel as though it has more scope. Also as I was the 2nd choice for the coaching role, I was not offered the majority work hours or the workday preference, so I'm waiting to hear what days I would be working.
I applied for 2 other part-time jobs but am waiting on a interview to be rescheduled (it was cancelled at short notice), and for shortlisting of the other job (should happen within the next 3 weeks).
I also have an offer to retrain on a Occupational Therapy Pre-registration Masters course in September 2025, so I have a backup option that would boost my career prospects long-term, but be financially difficult in the short-term.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as I need to make a decision asap.