Any NHS people, Agenda for Change scale q

You can apply for any job as long as you achieve the minimum requirements

Is your NHS KSF up to date? This will demonstrate your actual level of ability - i.e if its above & beyond the restraints of your current role

<nosy bonk> What is it? <nosy bonk>

I don't know what KSF is and I wouldn't have done one - please see any of my "Vile boss update" posts for more info ? My manager is awful; I didn't get a personal development plan after my appraisal, which in fact wasn't really an appraisal, it was him going on about one of his projects.

Anyway, sorry, thanks for the info. This is the job: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912278523 I haven't finished my Masters yet but thought I'd go for it regardless.

Ooooh, you'd be covering my trust!

KSF is the Knowledge & Skills framework - i.e the elements of your job which you demonstrate you can do!

Whereabouts are you? I live in Swindon but used to work in Newbury and it's not far, half an hour as I'm near the motorway junction.

Do you do some sort of test then?

I work for Portsmouth NHS Trust - based from the shiny new QAH

This is the DOH paper on the KSF:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4090843

How is it used? I'm not even going to get an interview, am I? ?

Sorry, been out!

Its used as a way of ensuring you are achieving what you should, & to ensure that everyone is aiming for the same goals!

It is also used to provide evidence for pay progression (where once we would just carry on up the scale)

Everyone has to achieve specific levels on the Core dimensions & then depending on your job you would have a number of specific dimensions to achieve (Can you tell its my area of teaching in the workplace!!)

Thanks. I see. When is this done, at appraisal? I've not seen any of it. I don't know about payscale progression; I thought you just went up one increment a year on 1st April? My manager is useless - my colleague just had a warning letter of disciplinary action as she'd not completed her induction, which she didn't know about as he hadn't told her or indeed inducted her.

It is reviewed annually as part of the appraisal, but it is down to the indivdual to ensure they are meeting their core & specific dimensions

It should be in your job description as to whta dimensions & levels you need to achieve, but as your boss sounds like a twonk you maybe havent had this information

If I can help let me know (its my area of interest)

There was a job desc when I applied; I have that. I easily met all the things, it's a pretty basic job. Should I have had a pay rise linked to appraisal? I mean, if I was good enough ?

Its not that you get a raise (other than the increment) its just that if you dont achieve they can freeze your pay at a certain level until you achieve what you should - its called going through a 'gateway'

Ah right.

Thanks for all your help. I've submitted my application as the closing date is today. I've also applied for a band 6 job at the trust I work at, and will hear next week. Eek! Wish me luck. I love moving jobs, I'm a bloody nightmare ?

Sorry to butt in so late in the day!! Don't worry too much about KSF if you don't have an outline or use the framework in your trust. But it would be a great question if you get an interview!! It's every SHA's target to get all staff using KSF this year. I'm a KSF and e-KSF trainer in my trust so if you need any help give me a shout.

It is possible to jump bands providing you meet the person spec. If masters is a desired or essential requirement and you get an interview, tell them you are prepared to study for it. They will fund it 100% if you are the preferred candidate!!

The person spec is the most important thing not the bands. You do automatically go up a pay point on your increment date. This is not always 1st April - depends on when your trust went onto AfC and when you joined. However when you reach the top of the band you do not automatically go onto the next pay band, which is the biggest misconception of the pay scale and AfC.

Fingers crossed for you.

xx