NHS Competency Based Interview Questions, Tips, and Answers

Below is the list of NHS competency-based interview questions along with tips and guidance to answer these NHS questions to pass the interview.

What are the six NHS values and what is their purpose?

Tip to answer the question: When you are answering this NHS question, You need to tell the Interviewer what the NHS value is, What it stands for and what is its purpose.

Recommended answer: There are a total of six NHS values, they are

Working together for patients

This means working collaboratively with all the NHS staff and others to provide brilliant service to the patients. 

Respect and dignity 

This means treating the people right, fair and making sure you respect them all the time. 

Commitment to the quality of care 

This means making sure that you are totally focused on providing high-quality care that encompasses all NHS guidelines, policies, and practices. 

Compassion

It is about showing understanding and consideration for everyone's feelings and situation. 

Improving lives

It is about working together to help people have better lives through care and education. 

Everyone counts

Means to provide the same care and treatment to everyone, everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their situation, background, or circumstances. 

Now, the purpose of these six NHS values is to provide the BEST POSSIBLE CARE for patients at all times. 

You can read more on NHS values here. 

Tell me how you work within a team 

Tip to answer this NHS interview question.

This NHS interview question is based on NHS value Working with others. You need to explain how you can be a great team player. 

Answer to the NHS Question

I have great experience in working as a part of the team and based on my experience I would consider these four things. 

Firstly, I always focus on working towards the team goal or objective or encouraging others to do the same. 

Next thing is to be supportive of my work colleagues. For example, If someone in the team needs my help or support, I will always be there for them and assist them. 

The next thing is to know each team member's strengths and experiences and utilize them in the fullest and best way possible. In this way, we can get the work done quicker and achieve high standards. 

Finally, the next thing is to Improve more next time based on the current experience. 

When have you shown compassion to others at work?

Tip to answer this NHS interview question. This NHS question is based on the NHS value of Compassion. Explain with example a specific situation where you can demonstrate compassion and understanding towards others. 

Answer: In the previous role, I went out of my way to support my work colleagues, Not just in their work, but also when they needed to talk to someone in times of difficulty. I believe this shows compassion and empathy.

For example, One of my work colleagues was going through a difficult time due to some personal problem and it was affecting her work. So I offered to sit down and listen to her situation. Not to give any advice but just to be someone she could talk to. 

During this conversation, I showed her compassion and empathy. I encouraged her to focus more on work, I felt this would be much distraction for her and the team could do well and complete the projects well on time. 

Finally, after six weeks, she started to turn the corner, and it wasn't long before she was back to her normal self. 

Define dignity and then tell me how will you give patients dignity in the NHS roles?

Dignity is a basic human right. Within the NHS, dignity must not only be respected at all times but protected.

I would make sure I recognized that people have the right to freedom and the right to dignity in my work, and I would always treat people with equality and fairness. 

To achieve dignity when dealing with patients, treating them, or providing care, I would listen to their concerns, I would ask how they were feeling and I would always take this into consideration. 

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