How to Research a Trust in 2 Hours
A step-by-step research protocol: (1) Trust website — read the “About Us” page, mission statement, and values. (2) CQC report — read the summary and any “Must improve” areas. (3) Annual report — skim for key achievements, challenges, and future plans. (4) Department page — understand the services offered, team structure, and any specialist interests. (5) Recent news — Google the trust name for recent press coverage. (6) Local area — demographics, deprivation indices, common health needs. (7) If possible, contact the department for an informal visit or conversation.
Aligning Your Answers with Trust Values
Every NHS trust has its own specific set of values (distinct from the national NHS Constitution values). This lesson teaches you how to identify these values and naturally incorporate them into your answers. Technique: for each trust value, prepare one concrete example from your experience that demonstrates it. The panel will recognise when you are using their language.
Questions to Ask the Panel
Smart questions that show genuine interest and engagement: “What does the induction programme look like for new JCFs?”, “What opportunities are there for involvement in audit or QI within the department?”, “How is supervision structured for JCFs?”, “Are there plans for service development that I could contribute to?” Questions to avoid: anything you could find on the website, salary-related questions, questions about holidays or leave.
Tailoring for Different JCF Types
How answer emphasis changes depending on the type of JCF post. Clinical JCF: emphasise clinical skills, acute management ability, teamwork. Clinical Teaching Fellow: emphasise teaching experience, educational theory, curriculum development. Research Fellow: emphasise research methodology, publications, critical appraisal. Mixed posts: blend appropriately. Each type of panel prioritises different competencies, and your CAMP structure, STAR stories, and “why this role” answer should all be adjusted accordingly.
Pre-Interview Preparation Checklist
A comprehensive day-before and morning-of checklist: confirm interview time and format (in-person or remote), test technology (camera, microphone, internet), prepare documents (ID, GMC certificate, portfolio), review your CAMP answer, review your STAR stories, review trust values and CQC rating, prepare your questions for the panel, lay out interview clothes, plan your journey, get enough sleep. For remote interviews: check lighting, background, and that your phone is on silent.