Health Care Assistant interview

**Rach** · 19-09-2004, 02:05 AM

Hello, ok so I know this isnt a med school interview, but in a few weeks I have an interview for a gradeA HCA job at my local hospital.

I want to explain that ultimatley i want to be a doctor and am applying to med school again this year. Hopefully they will take this how it is, that i really want the experince and will be very enthusiastic in my job, but i am worried that they will think that i dont really want the job.....

Any thoughts? :?

**llama** · 19-09-2004, 04:39 AM

Well I don't know what your NHS Trust is like but HCA are like gold dust around our area and they snap off anyones hand who shows interest. (Unfortunately this means you get some rubbish but what can you do).

Just show some enthusiasm for the area of work and how you want to use it to increase your experiences while doing something you really enjoy.

You'll ace the interview!

**Rach** · 19-09-2004, 05:25 PM

Thanks llama

-have just remembered the other thing- I will only want the job until next september, does anyone know how long the trusts expect HCAs to spend in one post (before moving up a grade/leaving)?

**simran** · 20-09-2004, 07:42 PM

Well Rach, dont do what I did, I said during my HCA interview that I wanted to be a nurse, basically lied. So for the first two months I was thinking of a convenient lie to tell my Ward manager, that Ive changed my mind after observing the docs at work, and I want to apply for medicine instead. So its only two months after Ive joined that Ive been able to shadow docs.

My hospital doesnt seem too picky about who they employ as a HCA, and there are plenty of HCA vacancies, so if one interview panel turns you down because you want to be a doctor, then dont fret. Better to wait a few more weeks to be accepted at trust that will support your desire to be a doc and will give you the opportunity to shadow other doctors.

I think at the interview you could say (if asked why you are applying for the role) that you will be applying to medical school for 2005 entry, so even if you are accepted you will be at the trust for at least a year.

Good luck!

**Foxy** · 21-09-2004, 06:26 PM

i'd also recommend being honest about your reasons for doing the job. I did and had no problems and was actually surprised how supportive they were. I had 2 interviews, one for normal HCA and one for paeds HCA, said in both that I wanted to study medicine but (at the time) there was at least 18 months until I started the course, if I got in this time round. They were happy with that and I was offered both jobs.

In fact most seemed really happy about it - they were pleased I was bothering to find out what it was like at the bottom end (literally!!) and, as nurses themselves, felt I would be a much better doctor because of it...also I emphasised my willingness to learn etc etc which is good. Basically, as has been said before, they're desperate for HCAs and if they can see you have half a brain and will learn, even better.

For you there's still a year until you could possibly be starting medicine...another thing to say is that, even after starting the med course, you'd still do bank work at weekends and/or in your holidays. I know of a few med students who do.

One of the major pluses of being an HCA is how easy it is to organise shadowing once you have managed to lasso a doctor as they whizz by. Almost all docs have been really helpful and it's great not having to worry about not being allowed cos of patient confidentiality/criminal records stuff. You can, with a bit of organising, patience and asking the right people, get to see pretty much anywhere in the hospital. I also found it easy to organise shadowing my GP - they just put a notice up saying I was a nurse at the hospital wanting to learn more about this side of medicine, anyone with a problem to let them know at reception and i would not be present at their appointment. No-one had a problem so i saw all the consultations. 8)

Anyway, good luck though I'm sure you'll be fine.

**Foxy** · 21-09-2004, 06:31 PM

Forgot to add - i only stayed in my permanent position 4 months before switching to the bank part time....I hadn't intended to stay that short a time in my fulltime position when I started but circs changed and i needed to work more flexible hours. I now just work sunday shifts on the bank.

Don't worry to much about length of time in the job......if they can see you are keen, have the right manner and are willing to learn they should snap you up. Obviously the longer you say you can stay there the better but you also need to do what's right for you and they understand that.

**llama** · 21-09-2004, 11:10 PM

Well I've just looked through my Trust's vacancy bulletin (I know it doesn't help you but it gives you an idea) and there are 5 different jobs for grade A nurses and 3 for grade B nurses.

Due to the type of work it is they have quite a high staff turnover and it is an excellent way to get some good caring experience.

I've also found that if you are particularly interested in a speciality then talk to the ward/department directly. They may be able to tell you of vacancies that are about to appear/give you bank work.