How will the interview be conducted?
Your interview will be held via an online platform called Qpercom Recruit. You will receive an email with your login credentials closer to the date of the interview.
The invitation to interview will be sent to the email address provided on your application. The application status on Oriel will not change until after interview outcomes are processed. You will not have a choice of interview date, and it is for you to ensure when you apply for the programme that you will be available on the dates advertised. Interviewers will score your interview which is provided to us for verification. You will not receive your outcome on the day.
Reasonable adjustments
In accordance with the Equality and Diversity Act 2010, if you need any reasonable adjustments that relate specifically to an online interview, please email us at england.hcsapplicants@nhs.net immediately. Full guidance is available in the Disability Confidence policy.
What is Qpercom Recruit?
Qpercom Recruit is a platform that enables the delivery of virtual interviews through an integrated video platform.
You will be sent a link to the Qpercom Recruit platform with your user account details closer to your interview date. You should not attempt to register on the system until you have been advised to by the NSHCS. You will then need to access Qpercom Recruit, click on ‘Initial Login/Forgot password’ and enter the email address you used to submit your application on Oriel. You will then receive an email to activate your account.
Watch this video (approximately 4 minutes in length) before the day of the interview. The video provides you with useful information about the interview format as well as information about what you should expect during your online interview.
Avoiding technical issues
You will need access to a computer or tablet with the camera and microphone enabled, together with a stable internet connection. There are several steps you can take to avoid experiencing problems in the interview process.
- Qpercom is supported on Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Chrome however it is strongly recommended to use Chrome.
- It is strongly recommended that you interview using a non-NHS Trust network device.
- Once you have received your credentials, ensure you register and login to the Qpercom system ahead of the interview date
- The system will prompt you to complete a Diagnostics Tool to ensure that you have the right setup including operating system, browser, camera and audio settings. This should be completed ahead of the interview day so that any issues can be resolved. This diagnostic tool should be completed on the device and in the location you intend to complete the interview. It is advisable that you read the full technical requirements before your interview.
- Use a laptop or desktop computer to attend your interview. Do not join on a phone or tablet device.
- Mobile hotspots or VPNs should not be used to connect to the system.
Preparations for your interview
Here are some tips and things to consider before your interview.
- Make sure you are familiar with the HSST programme, its different components and what it means for you – in particular the research and leadership elements, academic and professional qualifications, and workplace assessments.
- Although there is 10 minutes available for the presentation you do not need to fill the whole of that time with content and slides.
- Review your application form and remind yourself how you meet the requirements.
- Think about what type of questions you may be asked and how you might answer them.
- You may wish to hold a mock interview with a colleague.
- Make sure you have a quiet space free from interruptions.
- Be of a professional appearance, generally this means smart office-style clothing.
- Have a glass of water available during your interview.
- Be aware of your body language.
- Try to be as professional, motivated, interested, and confident as possible.
- Be open and honest if you do not know the answer and let the panel know – the panel are experienced interviewers who will know if you do not know the answer.
- Do not worry if the panel are silent while they write notes.
- Be enthusiastic but be mindful to not interrupt the panel.
- Timings are automatic in the Qpercom system so when time is up you will automatically be exited from the process. This may appear abrupt if you have not reached conclusion prior to the end of your interview. A clock will be present on-screen for yourself and the panel to refer to.
Joining the interview
Log into Qpercom at least 5 minutes before your allocated time. Ensure you have your presentation available and all other tabs/documents closed. You should see on the platform dashboard your ‘upcoming events’, click ‘go to event’ when you are ready.
You will be automatically placed into a waiting area. Whilst you are in the waiting area, an administrator will join you to complete ID checks. Once the checks are complete, you will automatically rejoin the waiting room until the interview starts. There will be a help button on the bottom right-hand side of your screen if you need to contact the administrator for any reason.
If there are any technical issues you may need to leave the meeting and re-join to solve any problems. If this happens, please do not panic. The panel and interview host know that technical difficulties can occur and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
Pre-interview checks
At the start of the interview we will ask you to confirm your identity to an administrator. You will need to show, by holding up to the camera, your photographic ID such as a passport, driving licence, BRP or NHS ID card. If you do not have any photographic ID, you may show your birth certificate. Make sure you have these ready at the start of the interview.
You will be asked to confirm that you are alone in the room and you will respond to the questions without referring to technology or AI. The room host will ask you to sweep your camera around the room, to ensure you are alone for your interview. If you do have any assistance then the interview will be stopped and your application rejected. You are not permitted to refer to any notes or to make any notes during the interview. You are also not permitted to record the interview.
During the interview
Your interview will be up to 50 minutes long and will adhere to the structure outlined below.
- Introductions (5 minutes)
- You will share and talk through your presentation (10 minutes), followed by questions on the presentation (10 minutes)
- 3 x Specialist Scientific Knowledge questions (10 minutes)
- 4 x Leadership and Management questions (10 minutes)
- Post interview process (5 minutes)
Please expect to be in the room for approximately 60 minutes including identity checks.
The questions were set by members of the healthcare science profession and quality assured by the NSHCS. They align with the person specification for the programme.
The panel
Your interview panel will comprise of 2 Senior Specialist Scientists and either a Senior Member of the NSHCS Leadership Team or a representative from a Higher Education Institute.
There may also be a lay representative/observer present. Their role is for governance of our process, to ensure it is fair and consistent across the national interviews. The observer will not make any judgements on your interview or contribute to your outcome.
Sharing your screen for the presentation
Ensure the only tabs and/or documents you have open are Qpercom and your presentation.
When prompted by the panel, you will be asked to share your screen for your presentation. Select the Share Screen button.
Next select ‘Entire Screen’.
The following will appear on your screen.
Start your presentation, sharing it full screen size. Confirm the panel can see it before you start. While you present you will only be able to see your presentation screen and will not be able to see the panel or the Qpercom platform.
When you are finished click ‘Stop sharing’ and return to Qpercom for the follow up questions.
After the interview
At the end of the interview the panel will explain the next steps. We appreciate you will be eager to know your outcome but you will not be provided with an outcome on the day of your interview.
Interview outcomes will not be confirmed until all national HSST interviews have taken place and all scores have been quality checked and reviewed by the NSHCS. This can take time and we appreciate your patience during this time. We will inform you of the outcome of your interview via Oriel as soon as possible.
Feedback on your interview is usually available upon request.
If offered a place on the HSST you will be given a 48 hour window (exclusive of weekends) to confirm your acceptance within Oriel. If you accept the post, the employer will proceed with pre-employment checks. All further correspondence will then be between you and the employing organisation. If you decline an offer, no further offers will be made.
We wish you all the best in your HSST interview and if you have any further queries, please email england.hcsapplicants@nhs.net