Any nurses working as a PIP/WCA assessor? Honest opinions?

[VelvetHour]

Hi everyone,

I’m an adult nurse currently working in a hospital and thinking about a bit of a change. I’ve been looking into PIP/WCA assessor roles as I need something with more predictable hours for childcare.

I’ve heard mixed things – some people say it’s flexible and works well around family life, but others have mentioned quite negative experiences (pressure, targets, etc.).

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s actually done the role

Just trying to get a real picture before making any decisions.

Thank you 😊

Initially very intense, you have set cases to do a day, they have to be done so if that means working on then it’s tough essentially. After a year or two it does settle down, but full on 8-4 most days, I’d say minimal flexibility day to day you can’t just pop out. You have to read and prep the evidence for you write up which can take a very long time

Thank you for being so honest, I really appreciate this.

That’s exactly what I was worried about, in terms of intensity and stress. I think from the outside it can look like a more “flexible” option

Would you say it’s still less stressful than ward nursing overall, or just a different kind of pressure?

Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s the salary like in reality vs what’s advertised? And are there certain companies that are better to work for? I’ve seen quite a few recruiting so not sure who’s best to go with.

Really helpful to hear a real perspective, thank you again 😊

I have a family member who works as a PIP assessor initially and has worked through the ranks you auditing so salary is now in the £50k region plus overtime is plentiful. Different kind of stress but initially very long days as a PIP assors, some days working until 7pm to get it all done. When you’re settled it is faster and can be done within hours but high intensity timing and little breaks. Plus actually calling the claimant. It’s one of the least flexible offices jobs even though most are wfh. You are tied to your desk

I do pip but back office, the role is two fold. I do initial reviews first, so the first person to look at a claim, and decide if they are suitable for an assessment, and if that can be in person, or phone only. As the first person to look over a review, i do any safe guardings, children in caring roles, any reports of self harm sucicial ideation that it appears a HCp isnt aware of we safe guard. Then it can be suitability calls to claimants, if they report seizures for example, call to assess frequency and if they would have a person able to be present for the assessment. Request evidence from HCPS etc.

The second element is i keep cases were assessment is not appropriate. Cancer on active treatments, cognitive restrictions, severe restrictions like strokes or bed bound, psychosis and really sever mental health conditions, children transitioning from DLA. And attempt to write myself. This involes speaking to HCPs, social care, schools, support workers, and family members. Not the claimant directly. And then i write the report.

I absolutely love my role. I award virtually every case i write. I have my cases for quite a while and get attached and do my best to ensure good outcomes and awards. Its the most vulnerable members of society, who need a high level of support. Its very rewarding. My rea we are encouraged to score upwards. Its completely claimant focussed. Theres a lot of corparate talk in the background, but i can ignore it for the most part. I also have full autonmy over my day, i can decide how i structure my work, what time i start and finish, when i take lunch, i can take an hour for lunch and extend my work day, i can attend appoint,ents and extend hours. As long as i do 7.5 hours between 7am and 8pm, and my team manager knows what im doing, i work my hours how i want. Ive recently compressed my hours too. It was approved the day after i requested it. I cant speak for field assessors doing the phone and clinic assessments, but back office is very very flexible.

Its very hard initially, approval process and probation is brutal. Audits are brutal, and so inconsistent. One can audit something completely differently to another auditor. It feels like you are constantly just getting negative feedback. Targets increase steadily, but again, its hard initially to get to the targets, but once through that stage its much easier, and such a good work/life balance.

I put in a lot of additional hours at the start, because i had no choice but to do this role. I had to leave my clinical role due to my own health and disabilities. And as a nurse my options were limited, the job market is dire. so i had to succeed in this position. But now, i work my hours only. Somedays ill do an extra 20 minutes to finish off a report, but on thw hole, i only work my hours, and consistently hit 110-130% of my targets to ensure my bonuses.

I can see ho wits not for everyone, and i can see why people quit early on, its hard going, but for me, it was totally worth pushing through the early stages. Even if my health recovers, which is inprobable, i cant see myself returning to clinical 12 hours shifts now.