1. EXPECTATIONS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY APPLICANT
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Occupational Therapy
EXPECTATIONS
OF THE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY APPLICANT
Nickie Carne – Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead
October 2017

2. Objectives The Process NHS jobs Job Description Job Specification
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Objectives
The Process
NHS jobs
Job Description
Job Specification
Application Form
Hints and Tips Application form
Interview Preparation
The Interview
Interview Format
Example Questions
Hints & Tips for Answering Questions
Remember!
Any Questions

3. The Process Register with NHS Jobs Find the job
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The Process
Register with NHS Jobs
Find the job
Read through the job advert
Read through the job description
Read through the personal specification
Complete the on line application form
Check NHS jobs for up dates – shortlisted – interview dates etc.
Confirm attendance via NHS jobs
Prepare for interview
Attend interview

4. NHS Jobs https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/
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NHS Jobs
Around 25,000 posts are advertised on this website every month.
If you’re looking to begin or develop your career within the NHS it is worth registering with this site.
Once registered with this site, you then receive s for new posts to suit your job search.

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6. Job Description Job Purpose – main aim of the job
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Job Description
Job Purpose – main aim of the job
Organisational Chart – where you fit within the department
Trust Organisational Expectations – what is expected of you by the trust
Shared Core Functions – what role you will have within the trust
Specific Core Functions – job specific – what is expected of you and the from the trust.
Clinical /Professional
Management
Communication
Education & Training -
Research & Development
Other

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Organisational Chart
This shows where you will fit into the team structure and hierarchy.
Usually Band 5 sit above the support staff and will be supervised by the Band 6’s

8. Job Specification Qualifications Experience Skills & Knowledge
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Job Specification
Qualifications
Experience
Skills & Knowledge
Quality of Care
Respect & Dignity
Working together
Efficiency

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Job Specification

10. Application Form Personal Information – name/DOB/contact numbers etc.
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Application Form
Personal Information – name/DOB/contact numbers etc.
Qualifications – Education & Professional – most recent ones first
Relevant Training Courses attended – most recent ones first (ideally no later than two/three years)
Membership of Professional Bodies – HCPC / RCOT/Specialist interest group
Employment History – most recent first
References – most recent employers and/or university
Supporting Information – concise, relevant about yourself and experiences, relate your knowledge/skills and experiences to the JD and post applying for – make it personable

11. Hints &Tips – Application form
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Hints &Tips – Application form
Read carefully through the job description and highlight the important parts
Read carefully through the job specification and highlight the areas you have fulfilled
Complete the application form in rough first – print out (if able) a blank form or photocopy the paper form
Save your application form as you go
Get someone else to read through your application form before submitting it
Keep a hard copy of your completed application form to refer back to if offered a job or need to complete another application form
Keep the information relevant and concise

12. Hints &Tips for Interview Preparation
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Hints &Tips for Interview Preparation
Read through your application form to remind yourself of what you have written
Do some background research into the organisation that you are hoping to be employed by – values/vision/population/services provided etc.
Arrange an informal visit prior to interview or completing the application form – contact details usually on the job advert
Prepare some questions to take with you to ask during the interview – relevant to the post or organisation
Update your CPD portfolio with relevant information – reflections/in-service trainings, placement reports
Decide on what to wear and ensure all clothes/shoes fit and are comfortable
Ensure you know where you are going for the interview - how you are going to get there, how long it takes to get there etc.

13. Hints & Tips for the Interview
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Hints & Tips for the Interview
Dress smartly and comfortably
Arrive to interview with about 10 minutes to spare
Be courteous and polite to everyone – you never know who may be feeding back to the interview panel about you
Say hello to the interview panel and introduce yourself
Shake hands with the interview panel
Wait until asked to take a seat
Try to relax and be yourself
Be aware of your habits that could be perceived as annoying or distracting to others – repeated words (like)/fidgeting
Listen to the question and pause before answering it
Don’t be afraid to ask for the question to be repeated or asked in a different way

14. Interview Format Some questions
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Interview Format
Some questions
Case study – during this time your CPD portfolio will be looked at
Discuss case study
Your questions
Summary of interview
On average the interview could last for 90 minutes
Interview panel consists of 3 people
As one person asks questions, the others will be writing down your response

15. Example Questions Response Questions
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Example Questions
Response
Questions
Can you tell us why you have applied for this post?
Working in a variety of occupational Therapy settings, with a busy large caseload, can bring organisational challenges. What skills and techniques would you use to organise your time effectively?
Rotational post – location – reputation – trust values
A to do list – supervision - ask supervisor / more senior staff - Prioritise case load - Diary Management

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Questions
Response
What was the last mistake/difficulty you experienced during your training or clinical work?
What did you learn from it?
Bearing in mind that this is a Band 5 rotational post, what do you consider your clinical development needs to be? How will you maintain your CPD?
All we are looking for, is that they have learnt from their mistake/difficulty and have put their learning into practice.
Identify potential training for individual rotations –Reflections / Journal club / In-service trainings

17. Hints & Tips for Answering the Questions
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Hints & Tips for Answering the Questions
Don’t be afraid to pause before answering and think about the question before answering
Don’t be afraid to ask for the question to be repeated or asked in a different way
Try to link your answers to your placement experiences
Demonstrate that you have transferable skills
Be honest and realistic about your abilities and what your strengths are
Don’t be afraid to admit your learning needs – especially if towards a particular speciality

18. Remember! The interviewers are not out to trick you –
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Remember!
The interviewers are not out to trick you –
- just to find out what you know

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Any Questions?