The NHS is the ideal workplace for many aspiring healthcare professionals and administrators in the UK. If you’ve landed an NHS interview, congratulations! The next crucial step is preparing to answer NHS interview questions that may come your way. In this blog, we cover 20 top questions you might face in an NHS interview in 2024, along with tips to ace them.
Contents:
- How to Prepare for an NHS Interview
- What to Expect in an NHS Interview
- What are the 6 Core Values of the NHS
- How Long Should an NHS Interview Last for
- Top 20 NHS Interview Questions and Tips
How to Prepare for an NHS Interview?
- Research the Role: Understand the responsibilities, qualifications, and key skills associated with the role.
- Know the NHS Core Values: Familiarise yourself with the NHS’s 6 Core Values, as these will inevitably be brought up during the interview.
- Practice: Mock interviews are an excellent way to prepare. Try answering our list of top 20 NHS interview questions below.
What to Expect in an NHS Interview
- Core Value-based Questions: The NHS pays great attention to its core values, so expect questions that probe your alignment with them.
- Competency Questions: These assess your skills and qualifications for the role.
- Scenario-Based Questions: You may be presented with hypothetical situations to gauge your problem-solving abilities.
The NHS is founded on six core values:
- Working Together for Patients
- Compassion
- Respect and Dignity
- Improving Lives
- Commitment to Quality of Care
- Everyone Counts
How Long Should an NHS Interview Last for
NHS interviews generally last between 30 minutes to an hour. However, this could vary depending on the role and the interview style.
Top 20 NHS Interview Questions and Tips
- Why do you want to work for the NHS?
Tips:
- Mention how the NHS’s mission aligns with your personal and professional goals.
- Bring in one or more of the NHS core values that resonate with you.
- Describe a time when you worked in a team to achieve a common goal.
Tips:
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer.
- Highlight your teamwork skills and the positive outcome achieved.
- What do you know about the 6 core values of the NHS?
Tips:
- Name all six core values and give a brief explanation of each.
- Discuss how you’ve demonstrated these values in past experiences.
- How do you handle stress or pressure?
Tips:
- Provide a real-life example that shows your coping strategies.
- Explain how these strategies helped you maintain your performance and well-being.
- Describe a situation where you had to adapt to change.
Tips:
- Again, use the STAR method to structure your response.
- Showcase your flexibility and adaptability.
- How do you ensure you deliver high-quality patient care?
Tips:
- Discuss any protocols or quality assurance measures you follow.
- Provide an example where your attention to detail made a difference in patient care.
- Describe a time you dealt with a difficult patient or customer.
Tips:
- Describe how you maintained your professionalism during the situation.
- Discuss the steps you took to resolve the issue and what you learned from the experience.
- How do you manage your time effectively?
Tips:
- Offer specific methods or tools you use for time management.
- Share an instance where effective time management led to achieving a crucial deadline or goal.
- Can you describe an occasion where you had to communicate complex information?
Tips:
- Explain the tactics you used to make the complex information understandable.
- Discuss the outcome and how your communication skills were received.
- What do you do to stay updated with healthcare practices and protocols?
Tips:
- Mention any courses, publications, or workshops you regularly engage with.
- Explain why continuous learning is vital in healthcare.
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a diverse team.
Tips:
- Emphasise the importance of diversity in healthcare.
- Provide an example where team diversity led to a successful outcome.
- How would you handle an ethical dilemma at work?
Tips:
- Discuss your approach to ethical decision-making.
- Share a past experience, if any, where you successfully navigated an ethical dilemma.
- How do you ensure that patient information is kept confidential?
Tips:
- State the guidelines or protocols you follow for patient confidentiality.
- Share your understanding of the legal obligations related to patient information.
- Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership skills.
Tips:
- Use the STAR method to outline your leadership experience.
- Highlight how your leadership positively impacted the situation.
- How do you deal with an underperforming team member?
Tips:
- Discuss your approach to constructive feedback.
- Share an instance where your intervention helped a team member improve.
- Describe a project you successfully managed from start to finish.
Tips:
- Outline the project and your role in it.
- Focus on the project management skills you utilised for a successful outcome.
- Why do you think you are suitable for this role?
Tips:
- Match your skills and experiences to the job description.
- Be clear on how you can contribute to the team and the NHS as a whole.
- How do you ensure compliance with health and safety regulations?
Tips:
- Mention any relevant certifications or training.
- Discuss how you implement and monitor safety protocols in your daily work.
- How do you prioritise tasks in a busy work environment?
Tips:
- Discuss your approach to task prioritisation.
- Share examples where your prioritisation skills were put to the test.
- What are your career goals within the NHS?
Tips:
- Be honest, but also align your aspirations with opportunities within the NHS.
- Explain how the role you’re applying for fits into those career goals.
Conclusion
Preparing for NHS interview questions is crucial for a successful career with the NHS. By understanding the types of questions that may be asked and practising your responses, you can go into your NHS interview feeling confident and well-prepared.
Good luck with your interview and, hopefully, your NHS career!