Job summary
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Care Group of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) brings an advanced Critical Care Team to the most seriously ill and injured patients in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, giving them the best chance of survival and recovery.
ABOUT THE TEAM The service is delivered as a partnership between Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Charity (HIOWAA) and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). Responding by helicopter/ emergency response vehicle, we deliver a team of highly skilled pre-hospital trained doctors and specialist paramedics to the scene of an incident, bringing the hospital to the patient when time is critical.
Attending incidents including cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, falls and assaults, our life-saving service is operational 365 days a year, both day and night and includes delivery of advanced skills such as pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia, analgesia, sedation and blood transfusions.
Main duties of the job
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
** Please note that if you wish to apply for an entry-level Trainee Specialist Paramedic role, intended for those without the qualifications and experience described here, there is a separate recruitment process planned for later in 2023 **
About us
What we can offer you
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your Responsibilities What youll do
Working as an NHS employee, this varied role includes undertaking shifts at the SCAS Southern Clinical Co-ordination Centre in Otterbourne, as well as undertaking clinical shifts as part of a doctor-paramedic critical care team or independently as a paramedic response based at the HIOWAA airbase in Thruxton and at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Charity office in Southampton.
What were looking for HEMS Specialist Paramedics (SP) will need to have achieved a minimum of PGDip in Advanced Clinical / Paramedic Practice or equivalent Level 7 study and experience including evidence a portfolio of clinical practice in extended skills which include advanced patient assessment, airway management, analgesia, procedural sedation, thoracostomy, cardioversion and pacing. As a HEMS SP you will be an ALS and APLS provider and utilise your skills both as part of an enhanced care team, working alongside a team of senior doctors providing critical care interventions including pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia and administration of blood products, as well as providing an enhanced care response as a solo car-based SP.
We are seeking applicants who want to bring their experience and passion for pre-hospital care to our team and continue to develop. In addition to clinical shifts, there will be opportunities to engage in supporting university and local ambulance service education, participate in audit and service improvement activity and get involved in research. We will also support you to progress with your postgraduate education.
We are keen to attract the best candidates and recognise that there may be highly experienced applicants who may not meet all the criteria to undertake this role and may not have had the opportunity to gain some of the specialist qualifications required.
The ideal candidates will already have experience as a qualified Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care) and working within a HEMS environment. However, we will consider applications from appropriately qualified and pre-hospital experienced Specialist Practitioners / Critical Care Practitioners who have no prior HEMS experience, if they are willing to commit to a programme of education to achieve the standard required, including completion of a HEMS Technical Crewmember and HEMS Clinical Crew course. In this situation we would consider appointing high quality candidates on a Trainee Specialist Paramedic contract if they are able to reach the required standard within 6 months of appointment.
The recruitment process will consist of:
Functional fitness assessment and OSPEs 11th April 2023
Panel Interview 12th April 2023
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Michael Bradfield, Paramedic Clinical Lead (michael.bradfield@uhs.nhs.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.
Additional information Interviews will be held on Tuesday 11th April 2023.
** Please note that if you wish to apply for an entry-level Trainee Specialist Paramedic role, intended for those without the qualifications and experience described here, there will be a separate recruitment process planned for later in 2023 **
Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your Responsibilities What youll do
Working as an NHS employee, this varied role includes undertaking shifts at the SCAS Southern Clinical Co-ordination Centre in Otterbourne, as well as undertaking clinical shifts as part of a doctor-paramedic critical care team or independently as a paramedic response based at the HIOWAA airbase in Thruxton and at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Charity office in Southampton.
What were looking for HEMS Specialist Paramedics (SP) will need to have achieved a minimum of PGDip in Advanced Clinical / Paramedic Practice or equivalent Level 7 study and experience including evidence a portfolio of clinical practice in extended skills which include advanced patient assessment, airway management, analgesia, procedural sedation, thoracostomy, cardioversion and pacing. As a HEMS SP you will be an ALS and APLS provider and utilise your skills both as part of an enhanced care team, working alongside a team of senior doctors providing critical care interventions including pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia and administration of blood products, as well as providing an enhanced care response as a solo car-based SP.
We are seeking applicants who want to bring their experience and passion for pre-hospital care to our team and continue to develop. In addition to clinical shifts, there will be opportunities to engage in supporting university and local ambulance service education, participate in audit and service improvement activity and get involved in research. We will also support you to progress with your postgraduate education.
We are keen to attract the best candidates and recognise that there may be highly experienced applicants who may not meet all the criteria to undertake this role and may not have had the opportunity to gain some of the specialist qualifications required.
The ideal candidates will already have experience as a qualified Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care) and working within a HEMS environment. However, we will consider applications from appropriately qualified and pre-hospital experienced Specialist Practitioners / Critical Care Practitioners who have no prior HEMS experience, if they are willing to commit to a programme of education to achieve the standard required, including completion of a HEMS Technical Crewmember and HEMS Clinical Crew course. In this situation we would consider appointing high quality candidates on a Trainee Specialist Paramedic contract if they are able to reach the required standard within 6 months of appointment.
The recruitment process will consist of:
Functional fitness assessment and OSPEs 11th April 2023
Panel Interview 12th April 2023
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Michael Bradfield, Paramedic Clinical Lead (michael.bradfield@uhs.nhs.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.
Additional information Interviews will be held on Tuesday 11th April 2023.
** Please note that if you wish to apply for an entry-level Trainee Specialist Paramedic role, intended for those without the qualifications and experience described here, there will be a separate recruitment process planned for later in 2023 **
Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered paramedic (HCPC) or nurse (NMC) with no restrictions on practice. All applicants must have evidence of pre-hospital training and significant experience working within an ambulance service
- Level 3 CERAD Emergency Driving Qualification (or IHCD Emergency Driving qualification with willingness to undertake additional training)
- Successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma (or PGDip/MSc) in Advanced Clinical / Paramedic Practice or similar relevant Level 7 study
- Portfolio of evidence demonstrating continuing professional development, clinical skills and reflective practice equivalent to IBTPHEM Level 6
Desirable
- HEMS Clinical Crew Course
- ALS Provider or Instructor
- APLS Provider or Instructor
- Successful completion of recognised procedural sedation course
- Teaching or mentorship qualification
- Diploma in Immediate Medical Care - RCS(Ed)
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience in a prehospital emergency care setting
- Significant experience working as a qualified solo responder Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care)
- Mentoring and supervising clinicians
Desirable
- Participation in Audit or Quality Improvement activities
- Working as part of an enhanced/critical care prehospital team (e.g. HEMS)
- Delivering teaching including planning of educational activities
- Previous clinical contact centre / emergency operations centre experience including call interrogation and tasking
Skills
Essential
- Sound clinical skills with a good knowledge of current guidelines
- Patient focused
- Good communication and teamwork skills including pre-hospital scene management
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
- Confident to work alone or as part of a team as required
- Able to use initiative and make decisions
- IT skills including use of Microsoft Office Suite
- Commitment to own professional development and that of others
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Participation in research or audit
Special requirements
Essential
- Ability to cover full 24hr shift patterns including weekends and bank holidays
- Flexibility to attend meetings and events as required
- Able to attend sites at Thruxton (air base), Southampton (UHS) and Otterbourne (dispatch)
- Ability to work across professions and organisations
Values
Essential
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Patients First
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Always Improving
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered paramedic (HCPC) or nurse (NMC) with no restrictions on practice. All applicants must have evidence of pre-hospital training and significant experience working within an ambulance service
- Level 3 CERAD Emergency Driving Qualification (or IHCD Emergency Driving qualification with willingness to undertake additional training)
- Successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma (or PGDip/MSc) in Advanced Clinical / Paramedic Practice or similar relevant Level 7 study
- Portfolio of evidence demonstrating continuing professional development, clinical skills and reflective practice equivalent to IBTPHEM Level 6
Desirable
- HEMS Clinical Crew Course
- ALS Provider or Instructor
- APLS Provider or Instructor
- Successful completion of recognised procedural sedation course
- Teaching or mentorship qualification
- Diploma in Immediate Medical Care - RCS(Ed)
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience in a prehospital emergency care setting
- Significant experience working as a qualified solo responder Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care)
- Mentoring and supervising clinicians
Desirable
- Participation in Audit or Quality Improvement activities
- Working as part of an enhanced/critical care prehospital team (e.g. HEMS)
- Delivering teaching including planning of educational activities
- Previous clinical contact centre / emergency operations centre experience including call interrogation and tasking
Skills
Essential
- Sound clinical skills with a good knowledge of current guidelines
- Patient focused
- Good communication and teamwork skills including pre-hospital scene management
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
- Confident to work alone or as part of a team as required
- Able to use initiative and make decisions
- IT skills including use of Microsoft Office Suite
- Commitment to own professional development and that of others
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Participation in research or audit
Special requirements
Essential
- Ability to cover full 24hr shift patterns including weekends and bank holidays
- Flexibility to attend meetings and events as required
- Able to attend sites at Thruxton (air base), Southampton (UHS) and Otterbourne (dispatch)
- Ability to work across professions and organisations
Values
Essential
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Patients First
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Always Improving
- Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Working Together
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
