Potential CQC interview questions for Registered Managers at pre registration interview/visit

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CQC Interview Questions for registered managers

The interview takes anything from 1 hour to 3 hours and we understand you will be advised to have your application form and the Essential standards of quality and safety (the Essential Standards) book to hand. We would also recommend you have read the specific guidance for registered managers which can be found at: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=16486 We have split the questions into various sections, including personal questions, those that relate to the outcomes in the Essential Standards and finally your understanding of the regulatory framework. These are not indicative of the format the interview is likely to take. Personal questioning Q. What is your job role apart from being the registered manager? Q. How long have you been at the (Practice, Company, Organisation) and how many days per week do you work there? Q. What do you understand the main responsibilities of a registered manager to be? When considering your response, think about how you will continue to ensure compliance with the 16 of the 28 CQC Essential Standards that apply to for example (dental ( Practice, Company, Organisation )s) being: Information and involvement Outcome 1 Respecting and involving people who use services Outcome 2 Consent to care and treatment Personalised care, treatment and support Outcome 4 Care and welfare of people who use services Outcome 5 Meeting nutritional needs Outcome 6 Cooperating with other providers Safeguarding and safety Outcome 7 Safeguarding people who use services from abuse Outcome 8 Cleanliness and infection control Outcome 9 Management of medicines Outcome 10 Safety and suitability of premises Outcome 11 Safety, availability and suitability of equipment Suitability of staffing Outcome 12 Requirements relating to workers Outcome 13 Staffing Outcome 14 Supporting workers Quality and management Outcome 16 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision Outcome 17 Complaints Outcome 21 Records Be able to give an example of how you do this in at least one area. 2
Possible Questions for Registered Manager at CQC interview pre registration

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Also think about how you can demonstrate that you are closely in touch with operational matters, for example, being present at the (Practice, Company, Organisation) at least 2-3 days per week. What special skills or qualities do you have to fulfil this role? Q. What do you understand to be your legal responsibilities as a registered manager? You will need to demonstrate that you understand your legal obligations to comply with the regulations as set out in the Essential Standards (set out above). Be clear what you have said in your application about your current compliance status and be ready to discuss any action plans. One of the main responsibilities of a registered manager is to notify the CQC of serious events such as the death or serious injury to a patient or staff member at the (Practice, Company, Organisation); allegations of, or actual abuse of a patient; either the planned or unplanned prolonged absence of the registered manager; and key changes at the (Practice, Company, Organisation) if an owner, partner or director was to change. Questions relating to Essential standards of quality and safety outcomes Information and involvement Q. Provide examples of how you involve patients in changes to your (Practice, Company, Organisation.) Examples may include (Practice, Company, Organisation) questionnaires, suggestion schemes, active listening training, etc. Q. What do you do that shows that you take account of Equality and Diversity Human Rights issues? Refer to your response in the application form for registration. Think about issues relating to race, gender and disability and how any potential inequalities are mitigated. This may include details about disabled access, the availability of hearing loops and patient information leaflets in large print and other languages where appropriate. Q. How do you achieve effective formal and informal feedback from patients? Examples may include (Practice, Company, Organisation) questionnaires, suggestion schemes, patient frequent comment logs, adverse reporting spreadsheet (electronically) in all surgeries, etc. Personalised care, treatment and support Q. How do you ensure that you achieve valid consent with each patient at all times? Think about the systems you have in place to ensure that all treatment options are explained and recorded, at what stage are written consent treatment plans provided and are these signed by the patient. Do you use a treatment co-ordinator? If so, be ready to discuss this. Remember consent and confidentiality. Q. What arrangements do you have if a patient wishes to speak in confidence about an issue at reception? Examples may include the availability of a private room or offering the patient another appointment if that is not possible. Q. What facilities do you have for patients with special needs e.g. disabled, deaf, etc? Refer to previous question on Equality and Diversity issues focussing specifically on practical solutions including disabled ramp and toilet, hearing loop and large print patient information leaflets. 3 Possible Questions for Registered Manager at CQC interview pre registration
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Safeguarding and safety Q. How would you investigate an abuse that has allegedly taken place at the (Practice, Company, Organisation)? What processes do you have in place? What steps would you take to investigate the incident, including interviewing staff and at what stage would you notify the CQC and any other appropriate authorities of the incident? Q. How do you make sure that the (Practice, Company, Organisation) provides a safe service for young people and children and vulnerable adults? What is your (Practice, Company, Organisation)s policy on CRB checks? Are all staffed checked, if not, be able to justify why this is the case. Also think about any staff training which has been held in this area. Q. Explain to me about your whistle blowing policy? This may include a policy which follows the GDC guidelines, holding regular meetings where any complaints and adverse incidents are discussed and encouraging a culture of open communication. Q. Do you have a separate Local Decontamination Unit? If the answer is yes, be prepared to discuss how this operates. If not what plans, if any, do you have in this direction? Suitability of staffing Q. What input would you have in recruiting another Doctor/Dentist/Nurse? Does this include approving the advertisement, short listing and interviewing the applicants, taking references and making the final appointment? Q. What input would you have in the recruiting of a non-clinical member of staff? As above or do you delegate this to a (Practice, Company, Organisation) manager? Q. How do you make sure that the people the (Practice, Company, Organisation) recruits are both suitable and qualified for the job? Think about your advertisement placement and content, what proof of experience and qualifications do you require and how are these verified, and are CRB checks (enhanced where necessary) obtained? Explain your HR processes especially with regards to CRB checks Q. How do you ensure that staffs continue to be competent for their role? Examples may include regular staff meetings, annual appraisals, CPD records monitored and training encouraged. Training logs for mandatory and statutory training attended and content. Q. Do you have self-employed staff? If so, be prepared to provide details about these people and explain how you ensure they are registered, appropriately trained and indemnified. Q. Do you use agency staff? If so, how do you ensure they are suitable. What assurances have you received from the agency? What documentation do you require/retain on them? How do you store this information? 4 Possible Questions for Registered Manager at CQC interview pre registration
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Quality and management Q. How do you know that the patients notes and records are properly maintained and stored? Examples may include performing periodic clinical audits of records against quantified criteria and records stored in a locked fireproof container. If electronic ensure that a secure server is used evidence may be requested to demonstrate this plus Information Governance policy and processes Q. What types of regular meetings are held at the (Practice, Company, Organisation) and are notes and action points recorded? What meetings do you hold at the (Practice, Company, Organisation) and at what frequency, for example, clinical meetings and all staff meetings. Are agendas circulated prior to the meeting so that anyone can add to them? Should note taking be rotated to strengthen inclusion, and are action points allocated to named individuals with times for completion of actions? Q. How frequently do you perform a clinical audit? Think about the frequency of such audits and be able to give examples of recent audits together with any actions taken as a result of them. Q. Are you part of a peer review programme? If so, you might tell the CQC about the composition of the group and the content of recent meetings. Complying with regulatory requirements Q. Have you seen the (Practice, Company, Organisation)s statement of purpose and what are your regulated activities? Ensure you are aware of the content of this, we would recommend that you have a copy to hand during the interview. The usual regulated activities undertaken by (Practice, Company, Organisation) s are: - Insert your regulated activities here which you have applied for registration i.e. -Treatment of disease, disorder or injury - Surgical procedures - Diagnostic and screening procedures Q. What notifications do you have to send the CQC and when? This may include notifications relating to serious events such as the death or serious injury to a patient or staff member at the ( Practice, Company, Organisation ), allegations of, or actual abuse of a patient, either the planned or unplanned prolonged absence of the registered manager, and key changes at the ( Practice, Company, Organisation ) if an owner, partner or director was to change. Q. Explain to me your knowledge of the Essential standards of quality and safety with which to have to comply? Do you have a clear understanding of the requirements of the Essential Standards with particular emphasis on the more important ones such as patient and staff safety? Q. And how do you ensure that these are met at all times? Examples may include being present at the ( Practice, Company, Organisation ) on a regular basis, holding regular meetings, clinical audits, staff training, record keeping, Quality, Governance, Patient Safety and Risk committee/meetings monitors Quality 5
Possible Questions for Registered Manager at CQC interview pre registration

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Q. Where would you look up the CQCs requirements? Your first port of call will be the CQC website; particularly the area targeted at for example Primary Dental Care. What have you found particularly helpful? What documentation do you have at the (Practice, Company, Organisation), such as a hard copy of the CQCs Essential Standards? Q. Who would be responsible for any breaches in the regulated activities? As the registered manager you would have the overall legal responsibility, together with the registered provider. Q. How have you assessed that you are compliant with the outcomes? Think about the process you underwent when completing the registration form to assess compliance. If you used external consultants, refer to the process adopted and the results of their work. Use the self assessment/scoping reports and action plans to demonstrate compliance.

Possible Questions for Registered Manager at CQC interview pre registration

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