FAQs for HART applicants

1. What does the recruitment for the post involve?
2. What if I am unable to get an eyesight test before the closing date?
3. What if I have holidays booked during the dates of the assessments?
4. Where will the positions be based?
5. Why do I need to be able to swim 100m and will this be tested?

1. What does the recruitment for the post involve?

The Applicant Information Pack can be downloaded from the website and will explain the process in detail. In brief, there are a number of steps:

• Complete the application form and ensure you meet the deadline!
• Complete the online psychological assessment, and return your Occupational Health Screening form with your application.
• Complete the eye test form (send it with your application, if it has been possible to attend an optician by this time).
• Short-listed candidates will be asked to attend a full occupational health assessment after shortlisting.
• After this, a date will have been scheduled for your Physical Competence Assessment – PCA - (The dates booked for your Trust’s OH assessments and PCAs should be identified on the advert so you will need to make sure you can be available on these dates. If you know you are going to be unavailable on any of the allocated dates you need to indicate this when you apply. The PCA may involve an overnight stay if you are scheduled to be assessed in the morning).
• If you successfully complete the PCA you will be invited to interview shortly afterwards - known as a Competence Based Interview. (For more information about Competency Based Interviews, potential HART Operatives and Team Leaders should click here. Potential HART Managers should click here).
• Within the following months after appointment you will be given dates for your various training courses: PPE, residential IRU training and residential USAR training (if applicable).

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2. What if I am unable to get an eyesight test before the closing date?

If you are unable to have an eyesight test before the closing date for applications, you must ensure that you have a test as soon as possible afterwards if you are shortlisted. Your application cannot be progressed any further without this and the recruitment timetable will be tight.

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3. What if I have holidays booked during the dates of the assessments?

Unfortunately the Trust is running to a tight schedule for this recruitment so all candidates must be available on the specified dates. You need to notify HR if you know of any dates that you will definitely not be available and they will do their best to accommodate you within the other allocated dates. However please note that there is no guarantee that this will be possible.

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4. Where will the positions be based?

Please see the job description for details or discuss with your HART Project Lead.

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5. Why do I need to be able to swim 100m and will this be tested?

The nature of the role means that this is included as a basic safety requirement - we do not assess it specifically, but we do need to know that applicants are able to swim and are confident in water. Whilst we are not, at this time, training in water rescue we do train in water awareness skills which involves working on and around water, including being on a boat for example to get to patients, as in the recent floods. We do not want you to be at undue risk if you were to fall into water and were unable to swim.

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