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How to demonstrate leadership during an NHS interview

• August 26, 2022

It has become increasingly important for Consultants and even Specialty Doctors to be able to successfully offer strong answers to leadership questions. It is apparent that the majority of Doctors are able to answer Clinical questions with confidence, but it is the leadership and self-audit questions that need some work. Being able to provide examples of how you ‘self-audit’ will really help you in your NHS interview.

How to demonstrate leadership

A good leader is aware of their underlying values and lives by them. Because of this, they can be trusted by both their patients and their peers. Being sincere with patients involves carrying out your commitments. Maintaining your integrity promotes positive interactions with all parties.

Before your interview write down your core values. You can also look up the Trusts values and make sure yours align with theirs, this will demonstrate your ability to be self-aware.

Other ways to show you are a leader in your job Interview:

1. Discuss Past Leadership Accomplishments.
2. Demonstrate an Ability to Act Decisively.
3. Speak Calmly and Confidently.
4. Show Off Your Passion.

 

How to demonstrate ‘self-audit’

During your NHS interview they will ask you some ethical scenarios. When answering these you may want to consider the Professional Duty of Candor. The NHS expects that you must not try to prevent colleagues or former colleagues from raising concerns about patient safety. If you are in a management role, you must make sure that individuals who raise concerns are protected from unfair criticism or action, including any detriment or dismissal. Thus, if you are asked what you would do in a situation where for example someone is trying to stop another colleague from raising a concern – you must speak up and be honest to senior.

Simultaneously if you are asked about how you would react after an incident you will be marked highly for quoting the NHS Professional Duty of Candor and explaining that you regard the importance of honesty and transparency highly.

The panel may ask you about a past mistake you have made. Similarly, you should place the emphasis in your answer on what you did after the matter to ensure the likely hood of the situation happening again is reduced. Under the Professional Duty of Candor guidelines, you should also make it clear to your interviewer that you took responsibility.

A nice follow up to your answer could be that you took part in a clinical audit to further the safety of the hospitals practice and again to demonstrate your willingness to take responsibility and improve yours and the hospitals procedures.  

How can we help?

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