There has never been a better time to consider working in the NHS. The modernisation and expansion of services brings with it the need for more staff to provide excellent care, and coupled with the year on year improvement in employment policies and terms & conditions working in today’s NHS is becoming an increasingly attractive option for thousands of people. Whether they are young people just starting their careers, returners, or people looking for a change of career later in life, the NHS offers varied and interesting career opportunities with flexible working and support for childcare on offer.

As part of our workforce strategy the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust (HOB) has set itself the challenge of becoming a ‘top local employer’ hoping to attract people from across the Heart of Birmingham area into careers in the NHS. The Trust currently directly employs over 1000 staff in more than 100 roles ranging from administrative to clinical.

The Trust has established a range of development and support tolls to assist our staff in progressing in their chosen career including the innovative HOB Career Route Maps.

The following pages contain details regarding current vacancies across the Trust; give you an insight into why you would want to come and work in HOB, and outline the work currently being progressed by the Trust with local schools.

Why work for us

HOB tPCT Promoting Equality & Diversity – Making the most of your personal potential

HOB has set itself an objective of becoming a progressive employer that will create an energised and committed local workforce (reflecting the population that it serves); by the active promotion of innovation and creating an organisation that positively encourages creative thinking and ideas.

HOB’s professional development philosophy is based on the principle that every one should be supported in developing their individual career plan. This is enabled by periodic assessments, appraisals, staff Personal Development Plans, and a systematic training & development programmes across the Trust.

The Trust's Teaching & Development Programme has been devised to ensure that staff will see a year on year increase in the level of support and training available to them. The Programme is based on the principle of ‘learning as part of the day job’. This will not only see the development of educational, training & support packages for staff to take advantage of, but also encouraging staff to become part of the Trust's Teaching Team, passing on their skills and experience to others – as part of a structured, funded programme.

In essence you join HOB Teaching PCT:

“To be taught, developed and supported; and to teach, develop and support others…”

During 2003 the Trust attained ‘Practice’ accreditation against the NHS standard known as Improving Working Lives (IWL), and we continue to work towards achieving ‘Practice Plus’ status in 2005. This signifies our wider commitment to improving the working lives of all staff, enabling a better balance between work and life outside work, and providing encouragement and opportunity to develop your potential as part of the whole healthcare team.

Other benefits of working for HOB:

• Pay and Conditions of service
• The NHS Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working
• Childcare Voucher Scheme

Vacancies

One of the exciting things about working within the NHS is that it offers a wide range of employment opportunities for many people. No matter what qualifications a person has initially there is usually a job they can undertake to start on their career, supported by vocational training opportunities to help people progress. Often people may never have thought of a career in the NHS because they associate the service only with nurses, doctors and therapists. However, there are many other types of jobs needing to be undertaken to ensure the smooth running of the service. E.g. Information teachnology (IT), estate management, facilities management, pharmacy, stores work, administrative and accountancy just to name a few.

Contacting Human Resources

The PCT employs a small yet friendly and approachable HR team that will be happy to field any queries you have concerning vacancies, NHS careers or recruitment and selection in general. They are based at Bartholomew House, 142 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9PA.You can either visit the department at this address between the hours of 9am -5pm Monday to Friday or contact them by telephone on 0121 255 0500 (an out of hours answer machine is also available).

Alternatively, you can e-mail the department with any requests for vacancies on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it quoting the reference number of the post you are interested in together with your contact details.

• HOB Vacancies on NHS Jobs Website

Career Route Map

Currently under construction is the HoB career route map. This will be a web-based, interactive resource designed to provide comprehensive information, advice and guidance about career development and progression within HoB and the wider NHS. Amongst its features will be structured, navigable career pathways which will allow the user to:

• Compare one role with another in terms of duties, responsibilities and salaries
• Compare qualifications needed for each role and how they can be attained
• Provide a means of progression between one role and the other
• Access information about the current range of vacancies available

The website will also have links to the Department of Health, NHS Careers and other sites of interest. If you would like further information on the careers route map and how to access it, please contact the Head of Lifelong Learning & Partnerships Development.

HOB schools programme

A major part of the Trusts workforce plan includes the development of young people towards careers in health

HOB, in partnership with the Birmingham & Solihull Connexions Service, has already begun working with local schools and colleges as part of its Lifelong Partnerships Programme.

In the last year this programme has seen over 100 students (year 10 and 11) attend a two week Work Experience Programme; over 400 students from local schools and colleges attend the HOB Annual Schools Conference (see below) ; regular one day sessions entitled ‘Experience Life as a GP’; and numerous educational and career advice sessions in local schools.

From January 2005 this programme will expand to introduce the ‘Open Road’, ‘apprenticeships’ and the ‘Aim higher’ initiatives, which will see students working and learning within the Trust on more long-term basis (one day per week for between a single term and two years). These are aimed at enabling students who would previously not have had an opportunity to develop a career within the NHS getting their first taster of a range of careers.

HOB Health and Social Care Schools Conference

The health and social care schools conference is an annual event staged in November.

It originated from schools requesting information about the provision of healthcare, which was not available in textbooks due to the speed of organisational change within the NHS.

HoB provides all the speakers, drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience employed within its workforce.

Previous conferences have included (amongst many), lectures on subjects as varied as:

• Equality and diversity
• The system of star ratings
• Structure of the NHS from a national to local perspective
• The functions of primary, secondary and tertiary care
• The care value base

The conferences are also supported by information and guidance on various NHS careers and interactive workshops.

The conference is free to all schools and colleges in the HoB area, with places allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Space is available for approximately 200 delegates.

HOB Apprenticeships

are you aged 16 – 18 and interested in “earning while you learn?”

We are looking for motivated ambitious young people from the Heart of Birmingham area to work in a diverse range of professions such as Accountancy, Dental Nursing; Physiotherapy; Business Administration; ICT and Public Relations and Marketing as part of a two year apprenticeship programme.

All Apprentices work towards achieving National Vocational Qualifications at levels 2 and 3 in their chosen occupational area and often move on to study at degree and diploma levels at university or are able to secure placements within the Trust

Do you have what it takes to be a “HoB Apprentice?” Please click on the vacancy link or contact the Schools Liaison Coordinator on 0121 465 4818.

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