When do I start?

[justom]

Hello everyone,
I found out last week that I got a Pharmacy Assistant job in a hospital in London! Obviously I'm very excited and really eager to start working there. So, I'm interested if anyone has knowledge from experience, of how long it takes to process all the relevant paperwork, admin, background checks etc?

many thanks

[Erystiva]

Generally it doesn't take too long, are you currently working and having to work notice? I would say it can take upto a month but from experience its usually less.

[justom]

Generally it doesn't take too long, are you currently working and having to work notice? I would say it can take upto a month but from experience its usually less.

Yes, I will need to work three weeks notice. I was hoping to combine the wait to start with working my notice, as I will also need to move down to London which will take up time too.

[Erystiva]

If you have any holiday left you could take that and reduce the amount of notice you need to work. I would suggest contacting either employment services or contact the hospital pharmacy direct to make appropriate arrangements. I am sure your new employer will be quite flexible, particularly as you are relocating.

Edit: Did your letter stating that you have been offered a position mention to NOT hand any notice until your CRB check had been run?

[justom]

They (the pharmacy dept) confirmed me succesful over the phone. A CRB check wasn't specifically mentioned, but in the interview they did say that they would put me in an area of the hospital without children, until after a CBP check has been completed. In the phone call, they said everything is out of the pharmacy dept. hands and into HR's
I've had a call confirming my medical record checked and I'm confirmed fit to work, which is a start.

Do you think maybe I should have had something in writing?

[Erystiva]

I would have thought they would send you a letter so that you have a hardcopy stating your start date. A contract would follow but understandably that can take a little longer and sometimes may be given to you when you actually start.

I would phone employment services or HR just to clarify what you should be doing now, you dont want to work your notice and find yourself (with no warning) without a job for several weeks.

[justom]

Had my conditional offer in the post, just waiting on the CRB checks. It's for a children's hospital, any idea how long they take? My current boss reckons 8 weeks