Working within the NHS

Nicola Carne Occupational Therapist NHS since 1993 Introduction

 Careers within the NHS  Job Hunting  Career Development  The NHS – A rewarding Place to Work  Benefits of Working in the NHS  Pay & Conditions  Pay Rates  My NHS Professional Experience  Why I like Working for the NHS  Questions Introduction

The NHS is made up of individuals from many different backgrounds and professional experience and expertise. What ever you fancy, what ever your talents ………… Nurses DoctorsConsultantsPsychiatrists Radiographs PsychologistsPhysiotherapists Occupational Therapists Speech and Language TherapistsDentists Health visitors Support workers Administrators House KeepingEstatesIT ……………… There will always be a job within the NHS suitable to your needs. Careers within NHS

Job Hunting Each trust is responsible for its own recruitment of staff. The vast majority of employers now advertise their job vacancies on NHS Jobs, the online recruitment website for jobs in the NHS.NHS Jobs As an applicant, you can search and apply on-line for vacancies that match your own preferences. You can also register with the site and be notified by , when matching vacancies arise.

Career Development The NHS is committed to offering development and learning opportunities for all full-time and part-time staff. No matter where you start within the NHS you'll have access to extra training and be given every opportunity to progress within the organisation. You will receive an annual personal development review (IPR – Appraisal) and development plan to support your career progression and, as part of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF), within Agenda for Change, you will be encouraged to extend your range of skills and knowledge and take on new responsibilities

The NHS - A Rewarding Place to Work There are few careers that are as rewarding as one in the NHS, or that give you the opportunity to work with such a variety of people. The NHS actively recruit people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience. This helps the NHS to understand the different needs of the patients and provide the best possible service. Whichever area you join, you become part of a talented, passionate team of people, committed to providing the best care and treatment to patients. You will also enjoy one of the most competitive and flexible benefits packages offered by any employer in the UK

Benefits of Working in the NHS Everyone who joins the NHS is guaranteed a salary that matches their ability and responsibilities, and given every opportunity to increase it through training and development. On top of your basic salary, you will receive at least 27 days' holiday each year, plus a range of other benefits including occupational health and counselling services. Other benefits include training, automatic membership of the NHS Pension Scheme (unless you choose to opt out) and study leave for sponsored courses. The NHS Pension Scheme is still one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK. Every new employee automatically becomes a member and you will get an excellent package of pension benefits

Pay & Conditions The national pay system for the NHS - Agenda for Change (AfC) - is for all directly employed staff except doctors and the most senior managers. The pay system offers real benefits including:Agenda for Change (AfC) a standard working week of 37.5 hours harmonised holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus eight general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after five years' service and 33 days after ten years’ service. pay enhancements to reward out of hours, shift and overtime working better career and salary progression based on the application of knowledge and skills annual personal development review to support career aspirations.

Pay Rates (1 st April 2014) The following is a guide only to Agenda for Change pay rates. However, you should always check with the employer to confirm the pay rate for any post for which you are applying. Band 5 Point 16 £21,478 Point 17 £22,016Band 6 = £25,783 to £34,530 Point 18 £22,903 Point 19 £23,825 Point 20 £24,799Band 7 = £30,764 to £40,558 Point 21 £25,783 Point 22 £26,822 Point 23 £27,901Band 8a = £39,239 to £47,088

My NHS Professional Experience September November 1996 = FRIMLEY PARK HOSPITAL NHS TRUST – Occupational Therapist Basic Grade to Senior 1 Within this employment, I gained experience and knowledge in: acute elderly care, acute adult psychiatry and acute orthopaedics, through a rotational scheme of six months in each area. I also gained promotion from a basic grade to senior 11 within fifteen months and from senior 11 to senior 1 – team leader in orthopaedics within nine months January May 1997 = INTERIM THERAPY SERVICES – Florida USA - Occupational Therapist Within this employment, I gained experience in rehabilitation with clients who were placed in a nursing home suffering from a variety of conditions. I gained insight into the American health system and learnt the American culture and language.

My NHS Professional Experience June December 2003 = NORTH HAMPSHIRE HOSPITAL NHS TRUST Occupational Therapist Senior II to Senior 1 Within this employment, I have gained experience and knowledge in: surgical Inpatients, in and out patient’s rheumatology and general orthopaedics, as a senior 11. I was then promoted to a senior 1 after 10 months, where I have settled into trauma and elective orthopaedics. In my last year I developed the OT service within A&E and MAU. I also had basic experience of deputizing for the head OT. January To Date = QUEEN ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL Occupational Therapy Senior 1 to Deputy Service Manager to Service Manager Within this employment, I am gaining knowledge and experience of deputizing for my manager. I began as senior I for Orthopaedics, then moved into A&E to progress the team forward and develop the service. I then acted up for 3 months into the Deputy Service Manager post. In November 2007 became the Deputy Service Manager and in June 2010 Service Manager

Why I like Working for the NHS? REWARDINGCHALLENGING GOOD PAYEXCITINGHARD WORK ONE BIG FAMILYAMAZINGVARIEDGOOD EXPERIENCELONG HOURS CONSTANT CHANGEGOOD BENEFITSCONSTANT DEVELOPMENTFUN INTERESTING PEOPLEGOOD OPPORTUNITIESVARIETY OF ROLES GOOD DIRECTIONSATISFYINGPERSONAL DEVELOPMENTENJOYABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTGOOD JOB SATISFICATIONLEARN NEW SKILLS MEET NEW PEOPLEPROBLEM SOLVING ADVOCATING SKILLS NO TWO PEOPLE ARE THE SAMENO TWO CASES ARE THE SAMEENJOYABLE CONSTANT LEARNINGCLINICALLY REASONING ALL THE TIMESUPPORTIVE SHARING OF KNOWLEDGEENCOURAGINGRELIABLE EMPLOYER – JOB SECURITY

WORKING WITHIN THE NHS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ANY QUESTIONS