Reply to: Nhs

[Peter Loew]

How do you know you can deliver an NHS project with your eyes closed?
Have you managed one before?

Figure of speech. Most NHS roles I have seen advertised are for delivering projects very similar to what I have in my portfolio, when taking to the agent to explain the roles further, I get to the point where I tick all the boxes except the one that requires previous NHS environment experience.

[Spacecadet]

What's with all the damned NHS PM roles out there... it's frustrating that those of us who can deliver these projects with our eyes closed are held back because we don't have previous NHS experience.

How do you know you can deliver an NHS project with your eyes closed?
Have you managed one before?

[Mustang]

What's with all the damned NHS PM roles out there... it's frustrating that those of us who can deliver these projects with our eyes closed are held back because we don't have previous NHS experience.

WHS

[Mephisto]

I think I may be in the perfect position to comment on this!

I've recently moved from a Telecomms background (Project Support/Consultantcy/AD-Hoccery) straight into the NHS as a Reporting Analyst.

I've no previous experience of working for the NHS and the last time I touched a database was at college! The pay is slightly less than I've been used to but I had been on the bench 3 months prior so was more than happy to take this role (and it's 5 minutes from my house).

It's funny how things can work out because I have managed to sweet talk the team into letting me gain experience of more niche NHS systems and Projects, which will be invaluable for my CV.

Obviously nothing is guaranteed but my point is you *can* make a move into a seemingly impenetrable sector but it may involve a bit of a sacrifice (namely pay!).

[virtualm]

I have to agreed with this thread!

But why do the NHS have to use agencies for these jobs if you have to have past experience? Surely they can just contact their previous contractors direct and save £££ by bypassing agencies! Such a waste of tax payers money.

[Spacecadet]

Personally any job advert I see for nhs goes straight in the bin

I did think that but at the moment any contract is worth considering
Not got much, if any in the way of NHS experience myself but my CV is strong enough for agencies to put me forward for the jobs (SQL not PM)

[MPwannadecentincome]

Shouldn't the NHS of all UK bodies be making an effort to widen their criteria slightly to all us on the bench in the current over-saturated market...

Maybe we should all get together with someone experienced in the NHS so that they can enlighten us so we can throw the jargon back at the recruitment agent to impress them.

Presumably it should not be an issue for that person to do so if there is a shortage of people with NHS experience.

[chris79]

Obviously being a Government body they like to adhere to their own standards they set, except in their own case.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_opportunity

Maybe they should set a similar scheme for the contracting and procurement of consultants? I think the use of the words 'must have previous experience in NHS' deliberately excludes a lot of perfectly capable and suitable candidates. Is it not in the public interest to ensure that those being brought in are the best for the job, not just people who got the job off the back of a handshake in a pub?

[Peter Loew]

Shouldn't the NHS of all UK bodies be making an effort to widen their criteria slightly to all us on the bench in the current over-saturated market...

[chris79]

Maybe the reason there are so many jobs out there is because they can't fill ANY vacancies due to the ridiculously strict criteria.

[Sausage Surprise]

It annoys me too since I keep seeing roles that I could easily fill apart from the prior NHS experience, many are in Leeds a whole 18 miles away.

Did 2 years there (2005-07) but this apparently is now not seen as "recent" NHS experience

[TykeMerc]

It annoys me too since I keep seeing roles that I could easily fill apart from the prior NHS experience, many are in Leeds a whole 18 miles away.

[Scotchpie]

as has been discussed in the past the nhs only recycle the same old tulip in favour of bringing fresh blood in case they upset the stale environment where projects usually fail to deliver

You may very well think that... I couldn't possibly comment.

[badger7579]

as has been discussed in the past the nhs only recycle the same old tulip in favour of bringing fresh blood in case they upset the stale environment where projects usually fail to deliver

Personally any job advert I see for nhs goes straight in the bin

[MPwannadecentincome]

The number of PM roles is probably due to the introduction of HRG4 and the removal of SLAM in favour of SUS next year for contract monitoring and payment purposes. I know its a huge piece of work for both providers and commissioners as its something I'm involved with.

And if that wasn't enough there's the move to CDS6 next month which no one seems to ready for.

HRG4? SLAM? SUS? CDS6? Presumably this is why you need to have had prior NHS experience to be considered for any roles?