NHS Lanarkshire Careers
Recruitment Process
Standard Recruitment and Selection Process
The selection process is a combination of elements that enable us to assess your overall suitability for vacant posts and can be broken down into the following stages.
Stage 1 – Application Form
The process starts with the completion of the application form. The purpose of the application form is to select the best person for the job. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your competence and to tell us how your values, qualifications, training, experience, skills and abilities fit our requirements.
Please complete the form as fully as you can based on the essential and desirable criteria for the post, which can be found in the Job Description and summarised in the Person Specification. You need to be clear and explicit about your skills and experience as only the most suitable applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of the evidence you provide in your application.
Please refer to our Guide on how to complete an application form.
Stage 2 – Short listing
Shortlisting is a process which uses the information you have provided to select the most suitable applicants to be invited for an interview.
The information you provide in your application is the only information that the shortlisting panel shall use when deciding whether or not you will be called for interview.
It is vital you include details and examples pertinent to the role accurately, honestly and fully as you must evidence that you meet the criteria, otherwise the panel cannot shortlist you. Always give examples against each of the essential and desirable criteria.
The way that we score is very simple and ensures that we are fair and consistent to all individuals.
Shortlisting initially looks to identify applicants who have demonstrated that they have met the minimum criteria in the person specification. Applications are then scrutinised to identify those who may also meet the desirable characteristics or have additional competencies or attributes.
Only the best applicants will be selected to attend for interview. For this reason it is essential that your application should demonstrate how your skills, competencies and attributes match what we need for the post.
Stage 3 – Interview
This is the first opportunity that the interview panel will have to talk to you face to face.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have the necessary values and competencies to undertake the role and work within NHS Lanarkshire.
Stage 4 – Role Specific Assessment
Depending on the type of role it may be appropriate that some form of assessment is undertaken e.g. a secretary may be required to undertake a typing test, an IT Technician may be required to undertake a practical exercise to resolve a fault or for managerial/leadership positions a presentation, written exercises and/or problem-based scenario may be required.
Stage 5 – Final Stages
After the interview, the preferred candidate(s) will receive a provisional offer of employment subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks as listed below.
This part of the process normally takes between 4-6 weeks.
Occupational Health
New entrants to NHS Lanarkshire are required to pass a pre-employment medical screen.
The right is reserved to require the successful candidate to undergo a medical examination and/or x-ray at any time if it is considered necessary.
References
Two references are required, one of which must be from your current/most recent line manager which includes details of performance, absence record, disciplinary record and suitability for the post.
Confirmation to work in the UK
All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
Criminal Record Check
Dependant on the nature of the post, NHS Lanarkshire will undertake a criminal record check on the successful applicant(s). This could be at basic, standard level or a PVG for individuals undertaking regulated work.
Further information will be provided at the point of offering the post.
NHS Lanarkshire is responsible for the payment of fees associated with criminal record checks.
PVG and Disclosure Checks
Some roles within NHS Lanarkshire require a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership or a Level 2 Disclosure check before you can start your new job. The type of check required will depend on the role you have been offered.
If a PVG or Disclosure check is required, the Recruitment Administrator managing your pre-employment checks will guide you through the process and let you know what you need to do.
What happens next
- We will confirm your details
At the verbal offer stage, your Recruitment Administrator will confirm your personal details with you. They will also ask which email address you would prefer the application link to be sent to.
We strongly recommend that you use a personal email address, rather than a work email address.
Once your details have been confirmed, NHS Lanarkshire will start the PVG or Disclosure application process on your behalf.
- You will receive a secure link from Disclosure Scotland
You will receive a unique secure link from Disclosure Scotland. This link will allow you to sign in to, or create, a ScotAccount.
ScotAccount is a secure Scottish Government account used to access public services online. Your link is unique to you and must not be shared with anyone else.
- You will sign in to, or create, your ScotAccount
If you already have a ScotAccount, your application will appear in your account as ready to start.
If you do not have a ScotAccount, you will be prompted to create one before completing your application. Guidance on how to register for a ScotAccount is available here.
- You will complete your application form
You must complete your application form using the secure link provided by Disclosure Scotland.
Your application link is only valid for 14 days, so you should complete your application as soon as possible. A step-by-step guide is available to support you through the application process.
- Disclosure Scotland will process your application
Disclosure Scotland aims to process applications within 14 days, although this can take longer if they need further information.
NHS Lanarkshire is unable to provide updates on the progress of your application while it is being processed. If you need an update, you should contact Disclosure Scotland directly.
- You will view and share your result
When your PVG or Disclosure certificate is ready, Disclosure Scotland will email you another secure link so that you can sign in and view your certificate online. You will not receive a paper certificate.
You must then share your PVG or Disclosure result with NHS Lanarkshire online within 14 days. This allows us to continue with your recruitment process. Step-by-step guidance is available to show you how to share your PVG or Disclosure result.
Further support
Disclosure Scotland provides an online step-by-step module to help applicants understand and complete the process. To access this, please select the Applicant / Individual section within the module.
Important information
NHS Lanarkshire and Disclosure Scotland will never ask you for payment as part of this process.
Should any of the above stages not be fully satisfied, the provisional offer of employment, which is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, may be deferred or even withdrawn, depending on the individual circumstances.
Values and competency Based Interviews
NHS Lanarkshire has adopted a values and competency-based approach to the recruitment and selection of all Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals and Support Services. The remaining job families will be included in this approach in the future.
Why is NHS Lanarkshire adopting a values and competency-based approach to recruitment of NMAHPs and Support Services?
In its strategic plan for 2012-20 NHS Lanarkshire gives a commitment to:
- Demonstrating a caring and person-centred ethos that embeds high quality, safe and effective care
- Continually striving to do the best individually and collectively
- Accepting individual accountability for delivering a service to the best of ability
- Being responsive to changing culture, expectations and needs.
To do this NHS Lanarkshire needs staff to be the most caring, knowledgeable and skilled workforce in Scotland. It follows that selecting the best staff with the right values, aptitudes and attitudes; staff who can demonstrate excellence in previous work and learning; and staff who are willing and able to care, to work hard and continue to grow and develop is essential. This revised approach to staff selection has been designed to do exactly that. It is evidence-based, fair, consistent and transparent. It demonstrates person-centeredness, safety and effectiveness the three quality ambitions of the NHS in Scotland. The documents below have been developed to assist applicants in getting the best from their application, interview and further assessments:
Staffbank
NHS Lanarkshire’s Staff Bank supplies an on demand, cost effective, appropriately skilled workforce to cover temporary shortages within the nursing and midwifery, allied professions, administration and support services workforce.
Thousands of staff are employed within the bank and the range of services covered is great for staff to gain knowledge and skills. Bank staff are able to choose which shifts they want to work. However there is no guarantee of work as shifts become available as and when required. Staffbank is a great opportunity for staff to work within a range of departments to gain experience and can often lead to a permanent position.
The staffbank recruitment process follows the same process as substantive posts within NHS Lanarkshire.
For more information on Staffbank, please visit our NHS Lanarkshire Staffbank website.
Important Information for Applicants – Recruitment Fraud
We have been alerted to an internet-based fraud operating that aims to trick job seekers into thinking they have been offered a job with NHS Lanarkshire. Applicants are asked to pay fees for visas and other employment checks in return for the offer of employment. NHS Lanarkshire has notified Counter Fraud Services and the Scottish Consulates of those applicants affected by this crime.
NHS Lanarkshire advertises all general vacancies on the NHS Scotland Recruitment website at https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/.
All medical jobs are advertised on the NHS Scotland Medical Recruitment website at http://www.medicaljobs.scot.nhs.uk/.
We do not use a third party contractor to manage any recruitment. If you have been contacted by a third party contractor, we recommend that you:
- Do not respond to any request for money
- Do not provide your passport or any other personal information
- Report the matter to your local police
General Recruitment Contact
Useful Websites
- Salus – Occupational Health & Safety – https://www.salus.co.uk/Pages/default.html
- Scottish Passenger Transport – https://www.spt.co.uk/
- North Lanarkshire Council – https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/
- South Lanarkshire Council – https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/
- Lanarkshire Tourist Information – https://www.visitlanarkshire.com/
- Vacancies Jobtrain – https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk
- Standards for Health Care Workers – https://www.healthworkerstandards.scot.nhs.uk/
- Voluntary Service Overseas – https://www.vsointernational.org/
- Non UK/European Economic Area Nationals – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
- NHS Inform Information on accessing health and care services in Scotland, and your rights when using them – https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights
- NHS Graduate Training Scheme – https://www.mts.scot.nhs.uk/
- British Medical Association – https://www.bma.org.uk/
