Nutrition and Diagnostic Sciences course interview guides

As this is a professional NHS course, the Coventry University recruitment and selection process includes assessing your potential to live the values outlined in the NHS constitution. We call this Value Based Recruitment (VBR), so it would be useful for you to have a good understanding of these values and be able to discuss and reference these during the interview day.

There is also a range of online materials you can access including the 6Cs and the Explore Roles which will help you prepare for the interview.

Diagnostic Radiography

Ahead of interview you should keep yourself up to date with current issues and developments in the profession and you may wish to consult websites of the Health & Care Professions Council and the Society and College of Radiographers to explore and gain further insight into the profession. Below are some key themes you should consider when preparing for the interview:

• What values are required to make a good Diagnostic Radiographer and do I possess them?
• What is the role of a Diagnostic Radiographer and what does this involve?
• Your understanding of the fundamental scientific principles.
• What is your key motivation for wishing to undertake Diagnostic Radiography training at this point in time?
• What relevant work experience do you have that demonstrates a commitment to study towards this profession?

Dietetics

You can explore more information on the role of a dietitian, the British Dietetic Association and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). We expect that you have read and understood the HCPC guidance on conduct and ethics for students, as you will be required to uphold these at all times.

Below are also some key themes to consider when preparing for interview:

• What is my key motivation for wishing to train as a dietitian at this particular point in time?
• What skills and values make a good dietitian, and do I possess them?
• How do I cope with stress and challenging situations?
• What are the current big issues in the modern NHS and healthcare?

We ask you to consider organising some practical work experience of caring for adults (either paid or volunteering) in a local hospital, care home or charity setting, before your interview. If you have had any experience previously then it would be helpful if you can refer to this during the interview, for example, by telling us about your work experience and what you learned from it. Take another look through your Personal Statement as we may ask you to elaborate on some of the things you have said about yourself.

What to expect on the day

Here is an overview of what you can expect on your interview day.

Group interview

This is your chance to demonstrate to the interviewers your commitment and motivation to undertake the course and take the first step to becoming a registered professional. There is usually one interviewer, normally a member of the Diagnostic Radiography course team. You will be interviewed in a small group of around six applicants.

We are looking for applicants to demonstrate the values and standards expected of a student on a Diagnostic Radiography programme, as well as an understanding of the role of the Diagnostic Radiographer in healthcare.

Diagnostic Radiography Admissions Tutor: Adam Ryder

Top tips to help you prepare

We want to help you make the most of your interview with us and with this in mind, here are a few suggestions of things that you can do when preparing for your interview.

What to expect on the day

Here is an overview of what you can expect on your interview day:

Interview process

You will be grouped together with other applicants and will be interviewed as a group. Tutors on the course will give you a short presentation about the course, and then will move onto the group interview.

The group interview will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively and to express your views and opinions in a constructive and productive manner. The interview is not a test of your knowledge of Dietetics but an opportunity to show us your ability to communicate effectively with others and to express your views and values while working with others. We will be observing to see whether you can communicate clearly, confidently and concisely. We will also be assessing your listening skills, non-verbal communication and your ability to work in a group. We want to see your ability to demonstrate the NHS values.

We are looking for a clear demonstration of:

• an understanding of the role of a Dietitian
• an understanding of the profession and its scope of practice
• a commitment to the underlying values and ethos of the profession
• an open and enquiring mind to learning personally, professionally and academically
• what are the current big issues in the NHS and health care?

Procedure

You will be watching a short video showing volunteers interacting with a patient in hospital.
The content is quite emotional, and while we hope that you do not feel distressed by the video, please do leave the interview if you need to. Staff are also on hand should you need any support.

1. A description of the NHS Values is provided for your group to refer to during the discussion. During the group interview you will be scored on your participation and your answers.
2. Watch the short video clip from the BBC’s ‘Big Hospital Experiment’ programme. This will be screened by the interviewers.
3. Discuss, as a group, the following questions (an interviewer will prompt you to move to the next question):

• • How are the volunteers demonstrating professionalism?
  • The volunteers have used a whiteboard to communicate with Eric. What does this tell us about their attitude towards patient care?
  • What communication techniques did the volunteers use and what was the impact of these?
  • How does non-verbal communication impact on others in this video clip?
  • What do you think was important to Eric?
  • What did you notice about the ways the volunteers worked with each other; i.e. what worked well, and what might you improve?
  • We can see that Eric appears frail, and the nurse mentioned that Eric’s stoma had burst. What would the role of the dietitian be in Eric’s care?
  • Eric is struggling to self-feed. What else do you notice about Eric’s feeding What impacted this?
  • How do the volunteers’ skills, values and behaviours link to the NHS Values?
  • What coping strategies can we use to deal with emotionally demanding situations?

At the end of the interview, you will be given the opportunity to ask your questions to the interview panel.

Dietetics BSc (Hons) Admissions Tutor: Ayse Aksoy

Top tips to help you prepare

We want to help you make the most of your interview with us, so here are a few suggestions of things that you can do when preparing for your interview.

What to expect on the day

If there are two or more applicants on the day of your interview, then you will have a group interview, but if you are the only candidate, then your interview will be individual.

Group interview

The group interview will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively and to express your views and opinions in a constructive and productive manner. The interview is not a test of your knowledge of dietetics but an opportunity to show us your ability to communicate effectively with others and to express your views and values while working with others. We will be observing to see whether you can communicate clearly, confidently and concisely. We will also be assessing your listening skills, non-verbal communication and your ability to work in a group. We want to see your ability to demonstrate the NHS values. Two Dietetics tutors on the course will give you a short presentation about the course, and then will move onto the interview. This will consist of a group interview initially followed by an individual interview.

We are looking for a clear demonstration of:

• an understanding of the role of a Dietitian
• an understanding of the profession and its scope of practice
• a commitment to the underlying values and ethos of the profession
• an open and enquiring mind to learning personally, professionally and academically
• what are the current big issues in the NHS and health care?

Individual interview

You will have an individual interview with one or two of the Dietetics lecturing staff. This process should take about 30 minutes. This will involve standard interview questions with a focus on current interest within the field of dietetics, leadership and personal qualities.

Interview type

Interviews are completed face to face or online using Microsoft Teams as the platform. If you have been offered an online interview, please ensure that you have access to Microsoft Teams on your preferred device and check that your microphone and speakers are working. You are welcome to use headphones for the interview if you prefer. Please consider your location during the interview carefully; try to ensure that you have good stable internet access and will be undisturbed. We recommend that you use a laptop or PC rather than a mobile device. You may also want to consider bottle of water or other drink with you.

Answering your questions

After your interview, you will be offered the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. The interview is a two-way process for us to find out about each other, so please take the opportunity to ask any questions.

Course Director for Dietetics and Leadership (pre-registration) MSc: Danielle Webb