HEMS Specialist Paramedics (Critical Care)

Job responsibilities

Communication

• To communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders, providing reassurance and empathy where required.
• Communicate highly complex information effectively with patients and their relatives in a calm and compassionate manner, where appropriate allowing them to make informed choices about their healthcare needs.
• Provide and receive sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, negotiating and training skills are required to overcome barriers.
• Able to present highly complex information to a range of audiences in a manner they understand.
• To undertake effective and appropriate radio and telephone communications utilising a range of technologies.
• Always maintain communication with appropriate ambulance emergency operations centre.
• Ensure conduct is always of the highest standards and act as an ambassador for Charity and the Paramedic profession.
• To promote and contribute to the development of the Charity by taking part in publicity and fundraising events as required by the service.

Clinical

• To competently undertake a range of technical and non-technical skills within the standard Paramedic scope of practice and develop your highly specialist knowledge to work across a range of procedures and practices, developing experience as you progress.

• To actively contribute to LNAA clinical operations and service development through membership of working groups / committees, to support the clinical governance framework through policy and SOP development as required.

• To ensure LNAA provide safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care in accordance with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.

• To provide high standards of specialist knowledge to deliver clinical care with reference to JRCALC, LNAA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and national guidance.

• To competently undertake appropriate patient assessments and develop management plans based on the patients clinical requirements, implementing care in accordance with LNAA Policies and SOPs.

• To use the best evidence-based practice and, where appropriate, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals within the multi-disciplinary team.

• To formulate specialist programmes of care and work within the scope of practice agreed by LNAA Policies, SOPs, and governance arrangements.

• To provide therapeutic pharmacological interventions in accordance with LNAA SOPs, Patient Group Directions, and national guidance / guidelines.

• Act with clear judgement of complex facts and situations and develop the analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options to manage highly complex situations.

• To competently undertake additional physical skills in accordance with LNAA SOPs and governance arrangements which require a high degree of precision and attention to detail.

• To administer the appropriate medications, blood products and clinical interventions in accordance with LNAA SOPs and guidelines.

• To interpret and utilise data obtained from the effective use of invasive and non-invasive monitoring equipment.

• Possess a thorough understanding of the equipment being used in the delivery of patient care.

• Select the appropriate destination hospital, considering the patients needs based on clinical assessment and diagnosis.

• Undertake the effective completion of patient care records in accordance with LNAA SOPs and to demonstrate awareness and understanding of information governance policies.

• To maintain where possible a safe and clean environment for patients and staff, initiating appropriate actions to achieve this, in line with LNAAs infection prevention and control policy.

• Be required to undertake manual handling of equipment and patients, having appropriately risk assessed each occasion using appropriate moving and handling techniques and equipment where provided.

• Actively participate in effective Crew Resource Management to minimise human error.

• Undertake appropriate record keeping in line with key organisational requirements.
• Respond to major incidents in support of the wider NHS ambulance service response.
• Operate in difficult, hazardous, and remote conditions ensuring safe and appropriate use of available equipment at all incidents.
• Provide a clear and concise clinical handover to the receiving Emergency Department team.
• Undertake and document all Continuing Professional Development in line with regulatory and registrant standards.

Operational

• Operate as part of a roster system covering a range of shifts including both social and unsocial (nights, weekends, and bank holidays) hours.

• Operate at a variety of locations as appropriate based on the organisational requirements.
• Check both the critical care car and aircraft equipment daily, and restock medical equipment as required, in accordance with LNAA SOPs.
• Drive LNAA vehicles under emergency and non-emergency conditions, being fully conversant of blue light exemptions, in accordance with the LNAA driving policy and the highway code. At all times, upholding the highest driving standards.
• Operate safely in an aviation environment and in accordance with the designated Air Operator and as directed by the Unit Chief Pilot / Aircraft Captain.
• Work as an integral part of a Critical Care Team, under appropriate supervision as required delivering critical care in a variety of highly complex situations.
• Participate in and perform pre-mission planning as necessary.
• Ensure controlled drugs are correctly stored. handled, administered, and documented in line with LNAA Controlled Drugs SOPs.
• Participate in airbase daily tasks undertaking completion of checks on consumables and stores to ensure sufficiency to maintain stock levels and date compliance.
• Ensure competent entry of all missions and PRFs on to LNAAs clinical database to enable case monitoring and monthly statistical reports.
• Participate in trials of new equipment and procedures as advised by the LNAA Clinical Equipment and Medicines Committee / LNAA Clinical Leads.
• Maintain clinical and operational currency.
• Undertake the regular training, supervision and mentoring of new staff in a range of specialist subjects as defined by LNAA policies and procedures.
• Undertake training and display competency in the use of NVIS/NVG equipment for night-time operations.
• Plan and organise several complex activities during missions or non-clinical time which require collaboration, involvement, and adjustment of developed plans.
• To ensure that all operational and clinical areas are kept clean within the LNAA IPC Policy.

Personal & Service Development

• Show commitment to continuing professional development both personally and for LNAA.
• Be guided by clearly defined policies, procedures, and guidelines to deliver the outputs of your role to achieve the expected results.
• Undertake the necessary training and education as required by the organisation.
• Undertake surveys, audit and research and implement improvements to own practice and service development.
• Complete incident report forms where areas of improvement are identified.
• Maintain a necessary standard of physical fitness to ensure optimal performance for intense physical effort over long periods.

• Promote and develop the role of a Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care) at LNAA.

• Promote and develop the role of a Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care) within the wider Paramedic profession.

• Undertake the required higher education pathways provided for by LNAA.

• Promote the role of the Charity and be an ambassador of the Charity at all times both clinically and non-clinically.
• Attend, contribute, and present at LNAA and partner Clinical Governance Days, forums, and training days.
• Undertake regular self-directed training and development activity utilising the range of training resources provided at the Charity operating base.

Leadership & Team Working

• Demonstrate personal accountability in everyday practice and understand responsibility for staff to which actions may be delegated.
• Demonstrate effective team working with all members of the team, other healthcare professionals and emergency service personnel.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and followership whilst engaged in clinical operational activity.
• Following appropriate experience and development, take part in teaching, mentorship, and assessment of other team members.
• Provide peer support and guidance following highly distressing or emotional circumstances.

Other Responsibilities

• Be able to work flexibly and dynamically.
• Adhere to the HCPC Standards or Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the Standards of Proficiency.
• Undertake considerable exposures to physical hazards which are unavoidable.
• The post holder will be expected to promote and implement the LNAA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy.
• To provide clinical support in relation to dispatch of critical care assets in the EMAS Emergency Operations Centre as required in line with LNAAs strategic objectives.
• The post holder will be expected to provide frequent exertion of mental effort and concentration to achieve set tasks in a timely manner.
• The post holder will be expected to ensure that confidentially of information is always maintained.
• The post holder will be required to follow the requirements of the General Data Protection Act 2018.
• Assist with visitors/former patient and family visits in a proactive, positive manner.
• Other duties may be agreed with LNAA as required.

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registered Paramedic with no outstanding cautions or conditions of practice.
• Full UK driving licence with a maximum of 3 penalty points (endorsements).
• IHCD or CERAD Emergency Driving qualification.
• BSc Paramedic Science (or equivalent) or evidence of completed study at FHEQ level 6 (BSc level), i.e., Level 6 module.

Desirable

• Post graduate level education (level 7).
• ALS, APLS (or equivalent) provider status.
• Diploma in Immediate Medical Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Honesty and integrity.
• High standard of personal hygiene and bearing.
• Reliability and commitment.
• Punctual.
• High level of discipline and an ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and development.
• Identifies difficulties as challenges and works with others to identify solutions.
• Effective decision maker with an ability to accept scrutiny of own practice.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and work to deadlines using effective time management.
• Good standard of physical fitness and able to work in a helicopter environment which may necessitate carrying patients and equipment over long distances and working in cramped conditions.
• Successfully pass an Enhanced DBS check.
• Must be able to pass the related Occupational Health assessment.
• An ambassador with good knowledge and understanding for the overall work of LNAA.

Experience

Essential

• Proven empathy with patients and staff.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Able to demonstrate both leadership and followership in complex dynamic environments.
• Able to problem solve and formulate plans to overcome difficult situations.
• Able to work effectively within and lead a team of multi-disciplinary staff.
• Able to communicate complex information across professional boundaries.
• Able to act as an ambassador for the overall work of the Charity.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Demonstrates ability to apply latest research to own practice.
• Able to diplomatically resolve disputes using effective conflict resolution skills.
• Overseas applicants must achieve at least Level 2 PLAB language standards.
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills.
• Awareness of human factors applied to healthcare.
• Understands the factors which contribute to a high-performing team.
• Minimum of 4 years post HCPC registration in a full-time prehospital emergency care patient facing role on commencement of post.
• Demonstrates ongoing post registration continuous professional development across a range of clinical, education and research activities

Desirable

• Post graduate level education (level 7).
• ALS, APLS (or equivalent) provider status.
• Diploma in Immediate Medical Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
• Publication in peer reviewed journal.
• Oral or poster presentation at UK or international conference.
• Experience of undertaking clinical audit.
• Experience of LNAA or partner Clinical Governance Days.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).