Application process

If you are not already registered, you will need to create an account by clicking the red ‘Create my Account’ button on the right. Choose a username and password. Keep these safe as you will need your account details to access your application and receive messages from us securely.

Once you have set up an account, you can log in at any time using the username and password you have created.

We will communicate with you throughout the process via notification messages in your account. We will send you emails to alert you to a new message, but you will need to login to your account to access it. This is to protect your privacy.

When you have satisfied yourself that you meet the role criteria and eligibility requirements, click on the red ‘Apply Now’ button.

Before applying you are strongly encouraged to complete the realistic role preview (RRP) which is available on the Realistic Role Preview tab, to give you greater insight into the role and how well your preferred approach aligns with the role requirements.

This preview takes the form of scenarios you may face as panel member; We will ask you to choose the response you are most likely to take. You will receive feedback on each individual response after completing all the scenarios, along with an overview of how well your responses fit with the way you would be expected to work as an NMC panel member.

The RJP is completely unscored; you will not be required to input your name and the responses will not be saved.  It is there as a useful tool to help you understand more about the role and whether to apply.

We will ask you a series of eligibility questions, most of which require ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. If you do not meet the required eligibility, you will not be able to proceed with your application. Please answer these questions honestly, as you would be unable to take up appointment as a panel member if you are ineligible.

We will ask you 5 questions which are designed to assess your experience against the five key criteria for the role, which are:

•  Professionalism and Integrity
• Collaboration
• Communication
• High Quality Decision Making
• Equality

To complete these questions, you will need to download the Application Form, complete this offline and then upload it to the site.

When answering these questions, you should take into consideration the role of the Panel Member and ensure that your examples demonstrate relevance and transferability to the role of a Panel Member at the NMC.

Each question asks for a specific example, but also for evidence of how you demonstrated one or more of NMC’s Values in your approach to the situation. Refer to the role specification document for more information on how the NMC defines its Values.  Ensure your response both responds to the question and highlights how you demonstrated the Values specified.

Please write no more than 350 words per answer, using font size 11. If you exceed the word count, only the first 350 words will be assessed as part of your application.

In the final stage of the online application, you will be asked to complete some additional sections, including providing two referees (references will be taken before the final interview, so please ensure referees are aware that they will be contacted), and details of other commitments and Conflicts of Interest. Once complete, you can make a final submission of your application. Once submitted, you cannot retrieve your application to make any further amends so ensure you are happy that it is fully complete. Please also allow yourself sufficient time to complete the process, particularly if you are unfamiliar with online recruitment processes. We would also strongly recommend that you submit your application well in advance of the deadline, to allow sufficient time to deal with any issues you may encounter which require support from the GatenbySanderson team.

You must also complete an Equal Opportunities form at this stage.

We regret that late applications will not be accepted.

Your online application must be made by no later than 1pm on Friday 9 June.

Once the closing date has passed, GatenbySanderson will send you an email on Monday 12 June, providing you with a unique link to a situational judgement test (SJT).

In this this test you will be presented with a number of situations that a Panel Member at the NMC may experience, similar to those in the realistic role preview. There is no time limit for the questions. For each situation you will be presented with four options, detailing actions that you might take to respond to the situation. You will be asked which of the four options you would be MOST likely to take, and which option you would be LEAST likely to take.

For all of the situations you should imagine that you are a Panel Member at the NMC.

You are required to complete the SJT by 1pm on Monday 19 June. Please allow time to complete this as part of your application; candidates who do not complete the SJT by the given deadline cannot be progressed, no exceptions can be made.

If the number of applications are exceptionally high, additional online assessments may be introduced at this stage.

The final stage of the process is a competency-based interview with GatenbySanderson and the NMC. This 1 hour interview will be held virtually online. Interviews will take place between Monday 14th August and Friday 8th September. Where indicated on the application form, please indicate any dates during this period when you are not available.

Following the completion of interviews, we will notify successful candidates from 18th September, with induction training to take place later in the year.

We will deal with your application as quickly as possible (timings above are indicative).

Once you have submitted your application through the website, we will acknowledge its receipt. If you do not receive this, after checking your spam, please contact GatenbySanderson at nmc@gatenbysanderson.com BEFORE the deadline for applications. If you contact us after the deadline, we may be unable to accept your application.  

Once all applications and SJTs are complete, we will commence the assessment process. We will begin by scoring the SJT, and progressing only the highest scoring applicants to the assessment of online competency-based questions. This will mean that candidates who do not pass the SJT assessment will not have their competency responses graded. Due to the anticipated volume of applications we regret that we are unable to offer individual feedback to candidates who do not meet the required score on the SJT, and only limited feedback will be available for those who have their competency-based questions assessed. 

The assessment of the competency responses in your application will be evidence led. Your application will be assessed and scored only on the basis of the responses given against the competencies for the appointment. It is important that you respond to the competency and values based questions in as much detail as possible within the word limit constraints. Your response to each section should provide specific and detailed examples to demonstrate how you meet each criterion (including what you did to achieve a specific result). Each criterion will be marked out of five, leading to an overall maximum score of 25.

In selecting the best people for interview, the panel will ensure that all the applicants demonstrate any essential requirements in the competencies and experience for the post. You will be advised of the outcome of your application by e-mail.

GatenbySanderson and the NMC will conduct interviews between 14th August and 8th September; you will be contacted directly by a member of the GatenbySanderson team to arrange this interview. The interview will assess your fit against the required competencies and values. The interviews will take virtually online.

Reasonable adjustments will be made for candidates with disabilities.  If you have any specific queries and requests, please let GatenbySanderson know.

References for candidates invited to interview will be taken from 31st July– please ensure that your referees are aware that they will be contacted during this time.

In addition, we will also undertake checks related to any information about you which could bring into question your eligibility or ability to perform the role or which might represent a reputational risk to the NMC. For registrant candidates, this will include a review of your fitness to practise standing. Where checks reveal information that might affect your ability for appointment candidates will be given an opportunity to discuss the information before a course of action is decided upon.

A final meeting to approve all appointments will take place on 18th October 2023. We will notify via telephone you as soon as the outcome is confirmed. If you are unsuccessful following an interview, a conversation to provide detailed feedback can be arranged.

It is not expected that any expense claims will be applicable as all assessments will take place online or via virtual conferencing facilities.

The NMC values equality and diversity and is committed to ensuring its processes and procedures are fair, transparent and free from unlawful discrimination.

We are fully committed to making the appointment process accessible at all stages for any applicants with a disability. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements.

To ensure we are treating candidates fairly, we monitor diversity at all stages of the appointments process. The application process includes an online equal opportunities monitoring form. Providing this information is optional and each question may be answered on an individual basis, but we would be grateful for your cooperation.

Information provided will be treated as strictly confidential and held securely in line with data protection and other relevant legislation and will be used for monitoring purposes only. It will not be seen by anyone directly involved in the selection process and will not be treated as part of your application. No information will be published or used in any way which allows any individuals to be identified.

The NMC is committed to processes and procedures that are fair, transparent and free from discrimination. Complaints about any aspect of the appointments process for the Council member role will be monitored, recorded and promptly handled. If you have a complaint, please contact our adviser, Matt Malone, GatenbySanderson, at matt.malone@gatenbysanderson.com

Written complaints will be acknowledged within 5 days and will state the time frame within which a response can be expected. Complaints should be made within three months of the closing date for applications.

For reference, GatenbySanderson’s complaints policy is available via the website www.nmcfuture.com

If you wish to refer your complaint directly to the NMC, we will provide you with the contact details required to do so. We will acknowledge your complaint and answer any concerns as quickly as we can, and within 10 working days, wherever possible. We will let you know if it will take longer.