Recruitment & Assessment of Medical Professionals
James Mitchell - Selection and Assessment Consultant
Having already carried out a pilot scheme, in a small number of branches, Boots plc, the UKâs largest pharmaceutical retail organisation, was expanding its already comprehensive portfolio by offering in-house Dentistry and Podiatry services to complement its successful Optical practice.
James Mitchell was one of a small team of associate recruitment experts selected to support the groupâs HR Department, based in Head Office in Nottingham. Assessment centres were held in the City of London and comprised competency based interviews, the observation of presentations and group exercises and a technical (medical) interview carried out by senior dental and podiatry experts from within the group.
Some thirty practices were established in existing Boots stores, throughout the UK.
James Mitchell worked with a small team of recruitment and selection experts on this assignment. Some thirty dentistry and podiatry practices were to be set up, over a two year period. The teams were to comprise a practice manager, professional medical staff and full support teams. These were to be run as small business units under the control of the practice manager.
Initially telephone interviews were held and the most appropriate candidates attended assessment centres, run by a team of five, or six, assessors supported by an experienced member of the companyâs HR department. Here the managerial and professional candidates undertook:
- Competency based interviews, carried out with one interviewer and one observer,
- Group exercises, observed by at least five assessors
- Presentations, followed by in depth questioning, to ensure real understanding and
- A Psychometric test to measure personality.
At support staff level, interviews and role plays were undertaken as well as numeracy and literacy ability tests.
Following the events each candidate was considered by all assessors involved. Candidates were scored and compared against their direct competition. Extremely high standards were demanded and achieved. Particular emphasis was put on selecting candidates who, apart from the highest professional skills exhibited the customer service and team-working ethos so prized by Boots plc. The centres also allowed the management of Boots to determine new recruits' individual training needs.
These events were considered highly successful and enabled the group to expand its medical services to the public.