Is the role a good fit for you?
You don't need prior knowledge of the NHS or finance, but you may find it helpful to do some background research before you apply. We won’t test anyone on this of course, but it’s good to find out what NHS Wales finance does and why, to check the role is a right fit and help understand why we are looking for certain competencies and values. Here are some suggestions to start you off.
- the health business - try reading about current NHS issues, including health efficiencies and value based healthcare. You could take a look at the Bevan Commission website - or the Kings Fund which has an English focus but the basic principles also apply to Wales. You may also want to speak to family or friends to understand what matters to them about the services they provide as staff or receive as patients.
- what an NHS accountant does - there are many varied roles and our graduate scheme is more than technical finance training. Have a read of our NHS Wales finance career stories, look up finance roles on Wales NHS careers, or google Finance Business Partnering.
- professional finance training requirements and exams - we currently partner with ACCA for our graduate scheme - their website will give you more information about their qualification and the support they give students.
The online application
Yes, some of these may seem obvious, but can be easily missed.
- Plan ahead - don’t leave your application to the last minute.
- Familiarise yourself with the application process on NHS Jobs.
- Check you are eligible to apply - do you hold at least a 2:2 in an undergraduate degree (any discipline) and are you eligible to work in the UK - and don't forget to include all of your relevant qualifications in your application.
- Read the job description and person specification carefully, and make sure your evidence shows us how you meet the requirement of the role.
- Write clearly and in your own words. Be succinct but not so short that you leave important things out – use the space wisely.
- Double check to make sure you’ve filled everything in and there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. You could also consider reading your responses out loud to see if they make sense to you.
- If you are through to the next rounds, respond in plenty of time to emails and online tests, and check junk mail and inform us of email address / mobile phone number changes.
NHS Jobs also has general guidance notes for applicants. Further information will be given to candidates who are through to each stage.