How to apply
To apply for a job, you will need to complete an online application. You have the option to click ‘apply online now’ on all of our advertised vacancies, which takes you to an application form. Please fill in the form as fully and accurately as possible. If a question is not applicable to you, please enter N/A (not applicable). If you are unable to complete an online application form, please contact recruitment who will be able to provide you with a paper copy.
Carefully read the job advert which contains a summary of the role, band, hours, contract description (full, part-time) and closing date, together with the job description and person specification.
Your application needs to demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the job you are applying for. You can use relevant information and experience from any jobs you have held, including voluntary, community, work experience, leisure or home life to support your application.
If you do not have exactly the right experience, don’t let this put you off applying. Instead, provide good examples of ongoing development or other skills which may be relevant.
To apply for a job, you will need to complete an online application. You have the option to click ‘apply online now’ on all of our advertised vacancies, which takes you to an application form. Please fill in the form as fully and accurately as possible. If a question is not applicable to you, please enter N/A (not applicable).
The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Contact details for the recruiting manager will be on the interview advert if you have any questions regarding the role or if you would like to arrange an informal visit.
Once a vacancy has closed, your application will be transferred to our recruitment system called TRAC Jobs. It is important that you provide us with the correct email address on your application as our recruitment team will send most communications to you by email.
If you do not hear back within three weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Following the closing date, we will shortlist applications and select the candidates suitable for interview based on how well the evidence of your skills and experience matches the job description and person specification.
If successful, you will receive an email asking you to book an interview slot online. You will receive information outlining the details of the interview, including any presentations you will be expected to make.
If you have been shortlisted for a position, you will be invited to attend an interview. The invitation will be sent via email and you will be asked to book onto an interview slot.
If the interview is taking place remotely, you will be sent a Microsoft Teams link the day prior to your interview. Once you have accepted the invitation, it will appear in your email calendar. Whether your interview is remote or in person, please ensure you bring ID.
If you are a Band 5 nurse, as part of the interview process you will be required to complete a short assessment. Details of this will be communicated to you at the time.
If you have successfully been offered a position at the Trust, you will be asked to complete the following pre-employment checks:
- Identity
- Eligibility to work
- DBS (Disclosure Barring Service), if applicable
- Professional bodies and memberships, if applicable
- Occupational health assessment
- References
Once all of the checks have been returned, provided they are all in order, you will be made an unconditional offer and a start date can be agreed.
It is important that you stay in touch with the recruiting manger during the intervening period and, if possible, it will be good to organise an informal visit to the department to meet some of your new colleagues.
As a new member of staff, you will take part in our corporate induction and core skills training days that will keep you, your staff and patients safe in the workplace.
Each staff member will have an annual values-based appraisal. We firmly believe in the concept of growing our own talent and actively support personal development through the appraisal system. You and your line manager will set out a plan of development which has clear timelines and objectives to help you progress through the organisation.
Pay rates
Each job with us is banded at a particular level of pay. See the NHS pay rates, with the current pay scales for each band. We also offer an additional fringe payment of 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,192 and a maximum payment of £2,011.
Work permits
If you require a permit or sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in the application form.
Disclosure and Barring service checks
The majority of our roles require disclosure and barring service (DBS) clearance.
The DBS checking process is managed by Hertfordshire Police. To help speed up the DBS process, please notify us if you:
- are related to an existing member of staff
- have ever been dismissed by a previous employer
- have had any criminal convictions, reprimands or cautions
For more information, see our frequently asked questions and a list of acceptable documentation to prove your identity.
Equality and Diversity
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.
We ask applicants to complete an employment monitoring form as part of the online application. The recruitment team, hiring managers and interview panel cannot see this information. This information, once reported, helps us to see how effective our policies on promoting equal opportunities and valuing diversity are. It will never be used to decide who will be offered the job.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
Should you need any assistance with any part of the application process, please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net.
Interview hints and tips
- Ensure you arrive promptly for your interview. If the interview is being held remotely, ensure you test the camera and microphone prior to joining. If you need any guidance on how to use Microsoft Teams, please contact the recruitment team.
- Think about why you want the job you have applied for. It may seem like an obvious point, but it is important that you are able to tell the interviewing panel clearly what it is about the job that appeals to you. What is it that you can bring to the role which is unique and will be appealing to the recruiting manager?
- Carefully read the job description and person specification so that you are able to answer questions confidently. The panel will ask you questions to understand your suitability for the job, these documents are therefore key to a great performance in the interview.
- Research our hospitals. Our Trust website has copies of our board papers and publications including our annual report, annual plan and quality account.
- During your interview, answer clearly and concisely and use examples to demonstrate your experience. If you don’t understand a question, ask for it to be repeated. Remember to ask any questions you may have; it will show you are interested in the role.