10 tips to speed up your agency application

Becoming an agency nurse is a great way to earn extra money and experience different hospitals/environments. In addition, you meet a lot of new people and can work around your own schedule. Here are 10 tips from our recruitment team on how to speed up your application process when registering with a new agency:

Jump to the Republic of Ireland tips

Scotland and Northern Ireland tips

1. Work experience
   The amount of experience needed can vary depending on clinical area. Ensure you have at least 6 months experience within the last 2 years. Check out our experience guide here.
   
2. Documentation folder
   You should keep a folder handy with all documents related to your nursing career. This will help you to quickly access these when requested. This is also useful for your Revalidation. Useful examples could include qualification/registration evidence, CV, PVG certificates (Scotland), identification documents and letters (e.g. most recent council tax, bank statements, evidence of name changes etc.).
   
3. Training and compliance records
   Many clients require agency workers to adhere to similar/the same standards as the wider Trust. Keep a record of all training and compliance certificates, competency signoffs, training matrixes etc, as this will be helpful for your agency application. If you’re leaving a Trust/employer, remember to source confirmation of all courses conducted during your employment.
   
4. Occupational health
   Keep a copy of your immunisation records handy. You are entitled to access your records but it can be difficult to acquire copies once you’ve left an organisation. GPs will not always have a record and requests can incur additional charges.
   
5. Employment contracts
   Keep copies of any offers of employment, contracts or even payslips. You can occasionally use these as evidence of employment if references aren’t forthcoming or difficult to acquire.
   
6. PVG (Scotland) / Access NI (Northern Ireland)
   All workers must be checked against the Adult and Child barred list.
   • PVG: Keep a copy of your previous PVG certificate as this will have your PVG Scheme ID number which your agency will need to provide to Disclosure Scotland.
   • Access NI: Disclosures are not transferable. Agencies will conduct an Access NI check when you join. Ensure you add ALL names you have/were previously known as, including middle names.
     
7. Proof of address
   Check that all proof of address documents are originals (no online bills/statements). The Home Office set out this requirement.
   
8. Competency assessment
   All applicants are required to complete a standard online multiple-choice competency assessment. This covers client induction requirements such as fire safety, infection control and applicable drug calculations.
   
9. References
   Under NHS employer guidelines, you must provide references to cover the previous 3 years work experience, including one from a current employer.
   
10. Interviews
    Whilst it may seem a tedious procedure, an interview is an opportunity to sell yourself. Agencies can and will reject people who don’t represent themselves well. The interview is a formal process and you should treat it as such.

The Republic or Ireland agency application tips

1. Work experience
   The amount of experience needed can vary depending on clinical area. Ensure you have at least 6 months experience within the last 2 years before starting your agency application. Check out our experience guide here.
   
2. Documentation folder
   You should keep a folder handy with all documents related to your nursing career. This will help you to quickly access these when requested. This is also useful for your Revalidation. Useful examples could include qualification/registration evidence, identification documents and letters (e.g. most recent bank statements or utility bill, PPS evidence, passport, driving licence, evidence of name changes etc.).
   
3. Training and compliance records
   Many clients require agency workers to adhere to similar/the same standards as the HSE. Keep a record of all training and compliance certificates, competency signoffs, training matrixes etc. If you’re leaving an employer, remember to source confirmation of all courses conducted during your employment.
   
4. Occupational health
   Keep a copy of your immunisation records handy. You are entitled to access them but it can be difficult to acquire copies once you’ve left an organisation. GPs will not always have a record and requests can incur additional charges. Contact your occupational health department in your place of work as they should have these records on file for you.
   
5. Employment contracts
   Keep copies of any offers of employment, contracts or even payslips. You can occasionally use these as evidence of employment if references aren’t forthcoming or difficult to acquire.
   
6. Garda
   A new Garda vetting is required when joining a new agency. Generally, the agency will apply for this on your behalf but will require information and confirmed original ID documents from you. For this, you will be issued with an ID verification document to complete, as well as a form for the required details. Please note, if you have any previous convictions that may show up during the Garda vetting process, you will need to provide a declaration of said offences or convictions.
   
7. Proof of address
   Proof of current address is a mandatory. This can be a bank statement or utility bill dated within the last 6 months.
   
8. References
   You must provide references to cover the previous 3 years of work experience in each clinical area. You should include a reference from a current employer. This comes under the HSE employer guidelines.
   
9. Interviews
   Whilst it may seem a tedious procedure, an interview is an opportunity to sell yourself. Agencies can and will reject people who don’t represent themselves well. The interview is a formal process and you should treat it as such.

Interested in joining Scottish Nursing Guild? Visit our company expectations page for information on what we look for in Guild nurses and what our recruitment process involves.

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