Posted 19 October 2021 - 15:15
Posted 19 October 2021 - 15:15
News
Job comes with a driver: great way to recruit community staff, or a waste of NHS money?
We don’t want to lose out on the best nurses just because they don’t drive, says trust
We don’t want to lose out on the best nurses just because they don’t drive, says Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Successful applicants for one trust’s community nursing jobs will be offered the services of a driver if they are without their own transport.
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust said it is offering the perk to ensure it gets the best candidates for its band 5 nursing and allied health professional roles.
Recruiting for clinical skills, not ability to drive
Trust executive director of nursing and allied health professionals Steph Lawrence said: ‘Holding a driving licence has traditionally been essential for community registered clinical roles.
‘We want to recruit people based on their clinical skills and personal qualities, making sure we provide the best possible care to the communities we serve. We don’t want an individual’s ability to drive or their access to a vehicle to stand in the way of being able to work for us.’
What some nurses say about the recruitment incentive
The new approach attracted interest on social media after a nursing student learned about it at a careers fair. Third-year children and young people’s nursing student Esther Price said the offer was making her rethink her belief community was not for her, as a non-driver.
Some nurses replied with concerns about the value for money of the approach, while others said it was ‘good to see a trust thinking out of the box’.
Alison Leary, professor of healthcare and workforce modelling at London South Bank University, tweeted: ‘It seems to be quite unusual still but hopefully will become more common.’
‘We’re making the most of NHS resources’
Asked whether the approach was cost-effective, Ms Lawrence said: ‘We’re aiming to use people’s expertise where it’s best placed and make the most of NHS resources.’
The trust is using existing funding for the initiative which may cover taxis or employed drivers to support its community staff.
It is also updating job descriptions and advertising material to reflect the new approach. Potential applicants can contact the trust’s HR business partner Hannah Cressey to discuss the jobs or call 07912 485209.
In other news