By Dini Rengganing Suci

In order to ace your NHS interview, you need to know everything there is to know about the position you’re applying for and how it fits into the larger scheme of things. To prepare for an interview, you should undertake thorough research, practice interviewing techniques, and prepare responses to common queries. You’ll also want to practice answers to queries about your intended career path in the National Health Service. Because of the wide diversity of positions available, the questions you’ll be asked will also vary. There are a large number of them, though, that are certain to appear in every and every situation. The following is a list of ten typical NHS interview questions, including general service questions as well as job-specific competency and situational questions.

Question 1: What Appeals to You About Working in the NHS?

“Why do you want to work for the NHS?” or “Why do you want to work here?” are other possible formulations of this question. In order to get a sense of why you choose the NHS over other organizations, as well as how well you fit in with the ethos and ideals of the NHS, this questionnaire is prepared. In addition to stating what you hope to receive from the role, be sure to mention what you hope to contribute back to the organization in your response. Make it clear that you share the NHS’s dedication to patient care. Show that you’re willing to work in a demanding setting and that you’re committed to furthering your education in order to improve the quality of service you provide.

As an Example of a Reply,

As someone who strongly identifies with the NHS’s values, I believe that contributing to the continuous provision of affordable healthcare is the best way to put my abilities to use. I’ll be able to advance in my career while still being a valuable member of a group of professionals that are equally committed. I feel that the NHS, despite its numerous challenges, is the ideal place to make a real impact in the lives of others because of its emphasis on patient care.

Question 2: Tell Me About the Core Values of the NHS

When applying for a position in the NHS, this is a crucial question because the organization places a high emphasis on values-based recruitment. In order to demonstrate your dedication, make sure you understand and can articulate the following six core values:

• Commitment to high-quality care — This focuses on the development of trust and a commitment to ongoing safety, accountability, integrity, and improvement.
• Collaboration between internal and external stakeholders for patients – This emphasizes cooperation for the benefit of patients above and beyond organizational needs.
• Proactive patient care, kindness to all, and taking every possible step toward alleviating pain are the hallmarks of compassion.
• There must be an atmosphere of transparency, honesty and respect for everyone who interacts with the NHS.
• Each and every person matters – This revolves around the fair distribution of resources and the care of people in need, no matter their situation.
• Patients’ health and well-being are central to the NHS’s mission, and this is reflected in all it does.

In order to be well-prepared, try to recall specific instances in your professional or private life where you have applied each of these six guiding principles.

Question 3: What Are the Current Challenges Facing the NHS?

One of the most telling NHS job interview questions and answers reveals how well you know about the organization’s inner workings, the realities and problems of your intended function, the future of public health, as well as how external circumstances affect the organization’s ability to deliver. The ideal answer to this question will be timely and based on the most recent events. The NHS has numerous issues, including a lack of funding, employee shortages, pay rates, working conditions, and the allocation of resources. At the time of the interview, you must be familiar with the specifics of each. Many societal issues affect the NHS, in addition to financial and political ones, such as an aging population and the consequences of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as the rise in diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Using your knowledge of external elements to demonstrate that you value the service as a whole will indicate that you aren’t just focused on your function inside it.

Question 4: Why Should We Hire You?

A value-based strategy to recruitment has been indicated by the NHS. It seeks employees who share its values and adhere to its high standards of conduct and professionalism. While it’s critical to have job-specific abilities and experience, if you’re in the interview process, it’s already been determined that you have them. Instead, concentrate on the following attributes that the NHS’s six guiding principles demand of you:

• Integrity and responsibility – to protect patient privacy, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to strive for progress on a continuing basis
• It is essential to be adaptable and efficient in a fast-paced, dynamic atmosphere.
• It is our goal to provide the best possible care for our patients as well as for their loved ones, friends, and caretakers.
• To operate in a healthcare network that encompasses numerous departments and other organizations, you need to be able to communicate effectively.
• Commitment and passion — To preserve NHS standards and go the additional mile to help others.
• You may also be asked to identify instances in which you have displayed these attributes in action in the context of an NHS competency-based interview.

Question 5: What Can You Tell Me About How the NHS Operates?

For this NHS interview, you’ll need to do a lot of digging into the topic. Your knowledge of primary and secondary care, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), NHS trusts, and foundation trusts should be able to back up your application. The NHS Long Term Plan, which was released in 2019 and sets priorities and goals for the following decade, is also worth your time. There are structural variations within England’s National Health Service (NHS), so make sure to look into the specifics of your region and how they fit in with the overall scheme. See if you can enlist the assistance of any people you know who are already employed by the NHS in order to better your knowledge of its procedures. Additionally, you must have a thorough understanding of your department and its function in the overall service.

Question 6: Describe a Time You Have Coped Well Under Pressure

A healthcare-related role isn’t required for your response; nonetheless, you will need to show that you can perform well under pressure. Create an answer that sets the scenario, explains your strategy, and concludes on a positive note by utilizing the STAR technique.

As an Example of a Reply,

I had to learn to deal with both financial and academic strain during my time at university. In my final year of college, I was forced to work part-time because of personal problems, which made it more difficult to focus on my studies. In the end, I had to take a step back and reassess my priorities and devise a plan to better manage my time. I was able to use the stress of my tasks to my advantage because I approached them strategically. I was able to concentrate better on my studies because I knew I had a limited amount of time to accomplish them. To help manage my anxiety and depression, I began running. Clearing my mind and increasing my outlook on life are two things that help me deal with stress more successfully.

Question 7: Describe a Time When You Have Resolved a Work-Based Conflict

The NHS is a very difficult place to work. Employees are frequently put under a great deal of stress, which can lead to conflict and hostilities. Employees who can maintain their composure in the face of adversity are essential to the success of their company. Again, you can use any former job as an example, as long as it shows that you have outstanding interpersonal skills and a decent handle on conflict.

As an Example of a Reply,

To meet a tight deadline, I had to manage a small team of coworkers from various departments in my prior role. There was a growing sense within the crew that one person was consistently falling behind schedule, and this was causing a lot of tension. Because we were working on a group project that necessitated close collaboration, I brought the person in to have a polite discussion. Since obtaining inconsistent information from their coworkers, they were unable to carry out their duties. I convened a meeting of the entire team to discuss the project’s development and clear up any misunderstandings. Clearing the air by allowing everyone to speak their minds without fear of retribution was a success. The increasing tensions were alleviated after the project was placed back on track. Teamwork improved and the project was completed on schedule because to better communication.

Question 8: Describe a Situation Where You Gave Quality Care

It is the primary goal of the NHS to offer high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. You’ll need to demonstrate your dedication to this value in order to ace your NHS interview. Providing a personal example, such as taking care of a family member or loved one, is totally appropriate in the event that you are unable to provide an example from your workplace. The most important thing is to keep in mind the NHS’s core values and respond in a polite and compassionate manner.

As an Example of a Reply,

In my current position, I’ve had first aid training for the past two years. As a result, it is necessary to address both internal issues and external concerns. An elderly woman fell to the ground in a crowded public area just a few minutes ago. She was terrified to be alone. In order to protect my privacy, I immediately requested for help clearing the area. I requested a coworker to call an ambulance as I continued to console her because she was disoriented and feeling unwell. Until the paramedics arrived, I kept a cool head and talked calmly to her. The ambulance crew opted to transport her to the hospital as soon as they arrived. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing more than a little inconvenience and she returned to thank me a few days later.

Question 9: How Would You Deal with Seeing a Distressing Medical Situation?

This is one of the NHS interview questions mainly geared at front-line employees. In the workplace, you’ll encounter these circumstances frequently, and you need to demonstrate your preparedness. The best way to respond to this question is to accept that you’re only human and will undoubtedly be impacted by life’s ups and downs.

As an Example of a Reply,

In the long run, caring for others exposes you to potentially upsetting situations. Keep in mind that everyone around you is going through the same thing, and that your team is there to support you no matter how they react. Emotions can’t be switched off from you. A good NHS worker must have a lot of compassion and understanding for their patients. As a result, I would openly express my thoughts, take time out to deal with them, and seek further support as necessary instead.

Question 10: If You Were Faced with an Aggressive Patient, How Would You Respond?

This is an illustration of a scenario-based NHS interview question. To see how you’d react in a real-world situation, the interviewer uses this to gauge your level of maturity and maturity under pressure. Even under the most difficult of situations, as an NHS employee you are obligated to provide the finest possible level of care. Taking patient and staff safety into consideration is a key component of a well-thought-out response.

As an Example of a Reply,

Aggression should be met with patience and empathy, in my opinion. A patient’s outburst is not a personal attack because they’re dealing with a stressful scenario. I’d put them at ease by paying attention and empathizing with their concerns, and then doing everything in my power to bring about a positive outcome. I would explain my plan of action and make it clear that their requirements were of the utmost importance to me. Following recommendations, I would seek more help if the problem worsens.