Archive for wessexapgroup.myfreeforum.org A discussion forum for Assistant Psychologists, Research Assistants and anyone interested in a career in clinical psychology in the Dorset, Hants and Wilts region. (for info on how to use this site, click on the FAQ tab at the top of the screen)
Hi guys, I've been applying for RA an AP positions, but am not getting very far due to lack of experience. I have also applied for mental health assistant positions and am also not getting very far (am I over qualified for those with a degree??) I was hoping to get onto bank staff for ST.Anne's. Does anyone know how you apply for that and if it even exists?
Thanks,
Anna
Jarna
Hi Anna,
If you're interested in applying for bank work (Healthcare Assistant (HCA) or they might now be known as mental health support workers...?), you could approach the HR department in Trust Headquarters and ask for an application form. I think you can ask for an application form even if you haven't seen anything particular advertised. The number for Headquarters (Shelley Road) is 01202 303400 and for HR 01202 443059.
I know someone who did exactly this (although this was two years ago) i.e. phoned HR and asked about the bank work, had an interview and was accepted. For her it was a long process as HR took their time to get back to her but she already had another job, so it was ok for her to wait. Maybe few phonecalls to HR would've speeded things up...
The nice thing about bank work is that you could ask for shifts in different wards and get experience for different client groups (e.g. adults, LD, older adults etc.) and you get to choose when you want to work. You might get some connections through working as well and e.g. if you come across a clinical psychologist or even an AP/RA, you could ask to shadow them and/or offer to do some voluntary work etc. The downside of support work is that it is not always that exciting and the pay isn't fantastic either... But you do learn about NHS, get to work in multidisciplinary teams and get client contact. I think all that is in your favour when applying for AP/RA posts.
I ended up working for 13 months in a permanent HCA post before securing my first AP-post... Don't get disheartened if things are not happening straight away.
Good luck with it all, I hope you find something soon
