Band 3 Healthcare Assistant Needed In Brendans Scotland: Visa Sponsorship

• Read the Job Description and Person Specification carefully – every interview question will link back to these.
• Know which Health Board you’re applying to (e.g., NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, etc.) and check their website for current priorities (staffing shortages, Waiting Times Improvement Plan, etc.).
• Familiarise yourself with the health board’s values. Most use the NHS Scotland values:
  • Care and compassion
  • Dignity and respect
  • Openness, honesty and responsibility
  • Quality and teamwork

2. Key Legislation and Frameworks You Must KnowBe prepared to reference these (interviewers love when candidates drop the correct names):

• The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019
• The Carer’s (Scotland) Act 2016
• Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
• Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
• Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)
• Scottish Patient Safety Programme
• Person-Centred Care & “What Matters to You?”
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards & National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM)

3. Most Common Interview Questions (with strong example answers)

1. Why do you want to be a Healthcare Assistant in NHS Scotland? → Link to personal values, desire to work within a universal healthcare system, and any Scottish connection.
2. What does good care look like to you? → Talk about dignity, respect, compassion, listening, and “What Matters to You?” approach.
3. Tell us about a time you showed compassion or empathy. → Use STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Personal life examples are fine if you have limited work experience.
4. How would you support a patient with dementia who is agitated? → Person-centred approach, distraction techniques, validation therapy, not arguing, reporting to RN.
5. A patient refuses personal care. What do you do? → Respect their right to refuse (if they have capacity), explore reasons, escalate to registered nurse, document.
6. How would you maintain a patient who has fallen? → Do not move them, reassure, press call bell or shout for help, stay with them, follow post-fall protocol.
7. What would you do if you suspected a colleague was stealing medication? → Follow local whistleblowing policy, report to line manager or via Datix, Protecting Vulnerable Groups process if needed.
8. How do you protect patient confidentiality? → Data Protection Act 2018 & GDPR, Caldicott Principles, only discuss on need-to-know basis.
9. What do you do if you make a mistake? → Stop, report immediately, Duty of Candour (be open and honest with patient and manager).

4. Values-Based Questions (Very Common in Scotland)Panels use NHS Scotland’s “Values Based Interview” technique. Expect questions starting:

• “Give me an example of when you…”
• “Tell me about a time you had to…” Prepare 6–8 strong STAR examples covering:
• Teamwork
• Compassion/empathy
• Dealing with challenging behaviour
• Communication
• Going the extra mile
• Learning from feedback/mistakes

5. Practical Preparation Tips

• PVG Scheme: You must already be registered or willing to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme (employer usually pays).
• Uniform: Interviews are usually in person. Smart casual is fine (no need for suit, but look clean and professional).
• Bring: Photo ID, certificates, examples of any training (e.g., manual handling, dementia awareness).
• Most interviews now include a short “skills station” or role-play scenario (e.g., assisting a patient to eat/drink, taking observations, or hand hygiene demonstration).

6. Recommended Free/Paid Courses to Boost Your CV (2025)Many candidates stand out by completing these before interview:

• NHS Scotland TURAS Learn (free) – “Healthcare Support Worker Induction” modules
• PROMOTE e-learning (free for Scottish applicants)
• Care Certificate (England version is accepted)
• Alzheimer Scotland free online dementia courses
• SQA PDA in Health and Social Care (if you have time)

7. Final Checklist 48 Hours Before

• Re-read job description and person spec and highlight key words
• Prepare 2–3 questions to ask them (e.g., “What does a typical shift look like on this ward?”, “How is the HCSW development pathway structured here?”)
• Know travel directions and arrive 15 minutes early
• Get good sleep – fatigue shows