Hello there, my name is Richard McMunn from the interview training company, PassMyInterview.com.
And in this tutorial, I am going to teach you how to pass an NHS BAND 8 interview. If
you are applying for either a Band 8a position or a Band 8b position within the National
Health Service, please make sure you stay tuned, watch the presentation from start to
finish, because it will make a significant difference to your preparation and your performance
at the interview! And to achieve that goal, this is what I will cover. I'm going to give
you a list of NHS Band 8a and 8b interview questions I strongly advise you prepare for.
I will give you strong, unique answers to difficult Band 8 interview questions. I will
give you some tips on how you can be the standout candidate. And I will also tell you about
further resources you can get access to, including these slides, to help you succeed. So, there’s
four reasons why you should stay tuned. And just very quickly before we get started. A
very warm welcome to this NHS Band 8 interview training tutorial. My name is Richard McMunn.
That is me there in the centre of the screen. I've been helping people for over 20 years
now to pass their interviews. I am a former Fire Officer myself, and I always help you
by creating top-scoring, unique answers you can't find anywhere else! On that basis, please
make sure you SUBSCRIBE. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.com. I've put my LinkedIn link
in the description below the video, and please do give the video a LIKE, because that tells
me you enjoy the content. Thank you very much. The first question is: TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?
Now, it's very important we get off to a positive start with our answer to this first Band 8
interview question. In your answer, talk about the skills, the qualities and the experience
you have that will enable you to meet the essential criteria in this role. Here's my
suggested answer to this first NHS band 8 interview question. Tell me about yourself.
“There comes a huge amount of responsibility with this Band 8 position and over the years,
I feel I have gained sufficient expertise, knowledge and interpersonal and management
skills to excel within the role. I have vast experience in treatment and care, clinical
practice, management and leadership, auditing, training and staff development. I can work
autonomously, manage a large caseload of patients whilst delivering outstanding care and treatment,
and I will always ensure my area of specialism continually improves and develops whilst acting
as a positive role model for this NHS Trust. If you employ me in this position, I will
demonstrate exceptional leadership and knowledge, provide outstanding standards of care and
patient treatment whilst upholding the important values that are determined by the National
Health Service.” That's a very strong answer that sets you up with confidence for the remainder
of your Band 8 interview. You can either pause the video if you want to and take a note of
the questions and answers as we work through them together, or if you want to wait, I will
tell you where you can download my full set of NHS Band 8 interview questions and answers
in a second. The next question: Why do you want to work for the National Health Service?
Now, the NHS is a challenging place to work, but it is also one of the greatest organisations
we have. On that basis, be sure to give valid and genuine reasons why you want to work for
the NHS in this band 8 position. Here's my suggested answer. Why do you want to work
for the NHS? “The NHS is challenging, and I mean that from a positive perspective. To
work for an organization that must continually change, adapt, respond to external pressures
whilst at the same time motivating and developing its staff, would be an absolute honour and
a privilege. Each year the NHS deals with an increase in patient numbers; it constantly
provides exceptional service and patient care and it is always developing, innovating and
improving. I want to work for the NHS because my own personal and professional values are
aligned with those the NHS has developed. The expertise and knowledge I have built up
over the years would be most suited to an organization of this size, this complexity
and where a high level of responsibility and accountability is needed.” That’s a brilliant
answer to that common Band 8 interview question, why do you want to work for the NHS? Don't
go anywhere, because I still have more questions and answers to work through with you. But
when you're ready, if you want to CLICK THAT LINK in the top right-hand corner of the video,
it takes you through to my website, PassMyInterview.com, where you can download my full set of Band
8a and Band 8b interview questions and top-scoring answers, including the ones we are working
through together today. But here's the next question. What type of leader are you and
how would you demonstrate effective leadership in this NHS Band 8 position? So, in all NHS
Band 8 positions, you must show effective leadership and management skills, in addition
to being able to carry out your normal day-to-day duties. Here's a strong answer to assist you.
“I am a transformational and standards-driven leader who expects nothing but high standards,
passion and a commitment to the delivery of exceptional patient care. Whilst in the role,
I will always act as a positive role model. I will promote collaboration and teamworking.
I will liaise and cooperate with other departments to ensure we all continually improve. I will
use effective communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships. I will
provide support, advice and guidance for my staff and encourage them to embrace change
and professional development positively. I will lead and participate in projects, quality
initiatives and auditing and accreditation processes, and I will always ensure all NHS
Trust policies, procedures and values are adhered to at all times whilst striving to
meet the organizations objectives and goals.” You are starting off with that answer by explaining
what type of leader you are, which is transformational and standards driven. And then you are going
into more detail about how you will demonstrate effective leadership within this Band 8 position.
It’s a great answer! The next question. Give an example of when something didn't go
your way. What did you do and how did you overcome this? What did you learn from the
situation? As you and I know, to work in any band 8 position is quite challenging and you'll
have to deal with difficult situations on a regular basis. Within the NHS, things aren't
always going to go your way. But how you react to the situation is really important. And
this question assesses your ability to put the organisation first above your own needs.
Here's my suggested answer. “In a previous NHS role, I had built up an excellent team
within my department. The level of patient care, the treatment and the service we provided
was, in my opinion, outstanding. This was achieved by setting high standards, ensuring
all staff had the necessary training and support needed to carry out their duties, and the
constant insistent from me that everyone within the team demonstrated the NHS values in their
daily work. I was proud of what we have achieved in a relatively short space of time. However,
soon after, I was informed by the Senior Management Team that three members of my team were being
transferred to another department within the organization as their skills and expertise
were needed there at that particular time. They were going to be replaced with three
junior members of staff who had little experience within our field of work. Whilst I was understandably
disappointed, I knew the needs of the NHS Trust must always come first and I needed
to start again with the new members of staff, train them up to speed and get them working
exactly how I wanted. Six months later, we had another high-performing team and I learned
a lot from the situation. Within the NHS you must constantly adapt, you must change, you
have to respond to challenges with positivity, and you have to support other departments
when they require help or assistance.” That shows that you can deal with difficult situations.
Things won't always go your way, but you are positive. You understand that the organisation's
needs must come first and you can adapt to change well, which is really important. The
next question: How would you demonstrate the NHS values in this band 8 position? The six
core values, as you and I know, are the foundation of all NHS trusts. And on that basis, we need
to be aware of them and how they fit into our work within the band 8 position that we
are applying for. Here's my suggested answer. “The six NHS values are working together
for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving
lives and everyone counts. We all have a duty in the NHS to demonstrate
them, believe in them and promote them. To ensure I achieve that in this Band 8 position,
I will work with my team to help them improve and develop. I will work with other departments
to ensure the work we do collaboratively is focused on the NHS values. I will treat everyone,
patients, clients, co-workers and stakeholders with total respect at all times, and I will
respect others’ views, beliefs, opinions and their needs throughout my daily work.
I will always show a commitment to quality of care by ensuring both I and the members
of my team abide by the rules and procedures set by the NHS Trust. I will make sure patient
treatment is never rushed, standards are maintained, and I will ensure we all follow the code of
conduct in respect of confidentiality. Finally, I will be kind, considerate and compassionate
when dealing with everyone; I will work as part of groups on projects that help improve
people’s lives and I will treat everyone with the same level of compassion, commitment
and dedication regardless of their situation or their background.” What I like about
the answer you are telling the interviewer what the six NHS values are, and you are then
explaining how you will demonstrate all of them within your daily work. So that gives
you a good strategic level of thinking and how you will approach tasks within your NHS
band 8 position. And that allows you to be a standout candidate, because I can pretty
much guarantee the other candidates will not give that level of response! It's a very solid
and positive answer. The next thing to do is please do CLICK THAT LINK in the top right-hand
corner of the video. Go through to my website, PassMyInterview.com. You can take a look at
my 25 band 8 interview questions and you have the option to DOWNLOAD THE ANSWERS as well.
I've also put some really important tips on that page for all Band 8a and Band 8b positions
within the NHS. Make sure you check that out. Thank you for watching! Don’t forget to
SUBSCRIBE. Please connect with me on LinkedIn.com and do give the video a LIKE, because that
motivates me to create more content for you. Thank you for watching and I wish you all
the best for passing your NHS Band 8 job interview. Have a brilliant day. Thank you!