Graduate Paramedic

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 10 October 2024

Job summary

West Midlands Ambulance Service positively welcomes diversity and aims to be a truly inclusive place to work. We are looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

If you wish to discuss and adjustments that you may need for the role of the assessment process prior to your application, then please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

We are looking to recruit Graduate Paramedics for our induction course in February 2025. Successful applicants must be in receipt of their HCPC registration by this date.

**This advert is aimed at Paramedic Science Students who are currently studying and are due to complete a relevant qualification in pre-hospital care resulting in registration as a Paramedic with the Health Care Professions Council in 2024 and early 2025.**

Main duties of the job

The salary for this vacancy is Band 3 £22,383 rising to Band 5 £28,407 upon receipt of HCPC plus section 2 unsocial hours enhancements

We are excited to offer you

A financial agreement to complete your full category C1 driver training *You must have applied for provisional C1 entitlement at point of application*

A full clinical induction and 4 week Level 3 certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving qualification

Local induction and Trust familiarisation

Excellent career opportunities

Applicants who have not completed placements with our Trust will undertake an assessment process consisting of ALS, OSCE, VIVA, fitness, highway code & driving assessments and a formal interview .

Applicants who have completed placements with our Trust, will undertake highway code, driving & fitness assessments and a formal interview.

If this position involves a regulated activity it will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both

Where a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for the post, all applicants are required to cover the cost of the check. The cost of £42.50 for an enhanced check is payable to our online provider at the time that the DBS application is submitted. Upon receipt of your DBS you will then be required to sign up to the DBS online update service

About us

On commencement with the Trust you will be placed onto an induction programme which includes a full 3 week clinical introduction into West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust and the 4 week Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving qualification. Please note the induction is on a pass or fail basis.

Following your induction programme a structured operational support agreement is in place to provide additional assistance and develop confidence.

HUB allocations will be discussed with all applicants at interview, therefore, please prepare to attend your interview knowing 3 of your preferred HUB locations for our consideration

Applications for part-time working will also be accepted for this post, however you must be able to commit to the full-time induction programme.

We do endeavour to respond to all candidates on an individual basis. Therefore we do ask for your co-operation and patience whilst the short listing process takes place. After the closing date please ensure you check your emails (including junk mail) regularly as contact is usually made via this method.

We are proud to offer flexible working options to support our colleagues to have a greater choice in when, where and how they work. During your interview we will explore this with you and discuss your individual needs and how this could be facilitated for this role to benefit patient experience, service delivery and the work-life balance of colleagues.

Date posted

25 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £34,581 a year plus section 2 unsocial hours allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9217-148-24-25

Job locations

Ambulance Headquarters

Waterfront Business Park

Brierley Hill

West Midlands

DY5 1LX

West Midlands Ambulance Service

Eastern Avenue

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS137SY

West Midland Ambulance Service

Ibstock Road

Coventry

CV6 6JR

West Midlands Ambulance Service

Ashmore Lake Way

Willenhall

West Midlands

WV12 4LF

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. At the commencement of and during each shift to check that the allocated vehicle is equipped appropriately, restocking if necessary and is road worthy reporting any issues using the appropriate channels and protocols.

2. Carry out paramedic duties as part of an operational crew, working within scope of practice and adhering to protocols, procedures, SOPs and clinical guidelines, seeking appropriate clinical advice and/or support* as required.

*(A person undertaking this role will always have access to clinical advice and support but MUST take clinical advice as dictated by Trust protocol and/or support from an identified source such as a clinical support desk/hub or other Health Care Professional, whenever they consider it may be necessary to deviate from protocols, procedures, SOPs and clinical guidelines).

3. Work within scope of practice and limits of professional competence referring to clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2). Follows established care packages.

4. Reduce inappropriate demand for emergency services by referring patients to appropriate health and social care agencies in response to emergency/urgent calls not requiring hospital attendance, seeking appropriate clinical advice and /or support as required (defined in 2).

5. Assist in delivering a flexible ambulance service response crossing professional boundaries as necessary and strengthening the delivery of unscheduled care seeking clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2)

6. Maintain skill levels and knowledge to carry out procedures in accordance with professional guidelines, e.g. defibrillation, cannulation, intraosseous access, intubation, needle cricoidthyrotomy, needle thoracenthesis, 12 lead ECG interpretation (Advanced Life Support) seeking clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2).

7. Ensures a continuous duty of care to patients to the required HCPC Standards of Proficiency and within the scope of practice and competency of this role, ensuring an appropriate level of monitoring and treatment is maintained until the patient is either discharged, referred or transferred on the advice of an experienced paramedic or handed over to the the care of another healthcare professional and agency.

8. Make appropriate use of clinical decision support software where available.

9. Follow and adhere to Trust clinical policies, protocols, procedures and SOPs Treat and Release, or refer patients who access the health service through the 999 system, but who do not need hospital admission seeking appropriate clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2).

10. Attend patients in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. If arriving first on scene to critical emergency situations, undertake initial care and treatment of patients using Trust clinical policies, protocols, procedures and SOPs; promptly handing over responsibility to a more experienced paramedic/clinician when one is available on scene and seeking appropriate clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2).

11. Responsible for undertaking manual handling procedures relating to patients with various medical conditions including bariatric patients. This may include the extraction of patients from difficult and awkward positions and carrying patient and equipment up and down stairs and uneven surfaces.

12. Following Trust clinical policies, protocols, procedures and SOPs, undertake physical patient examinations and accurately triaging and prioritising patients by completing holistic patient assessments.

13. Following Trust clinical policies, protocols, procedures and SOPs administer drugs in accordance with national and local guidelines and relevant Patient Group Directives issued by the Trust and seeking appropriate clinical advice and/or support as required (defined in 2).

14. Record observations and findings appropriately including adverse incidents and Safeguarding issues, ensuring all records are kept confidential and stored safely in accordance with Trust information governance arrangements.

15. Work as an effective member of a multi-professional team, giving support to non-registered staff as required. Provide guidance and support, as required, to non-registered staff without assuming supervision, education or line management role.

16. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of ambulance service practices, ensuring that these are reflected in compliance with Trust procedures and operations.

17. Communicate effectively with staff and managers on a regular basis.

18. Communicate with patients, relatives, colleagues and other health professionals and stakeholders in a calm, caring and professional manner, treating them with dignity and respect at all times.

19. Communicate condition related information to patients and their relatives requiring empathy and reassurance skills.

20. To be responsible for the security of patients property during the transportation and hand-over at their destination. The safe use if equipment.

21. Provide verbal and written clinical input and feedback on matters of health and safety, risk assessments, accident reporting and investigations.

22. Promote Equality & Diversity and a non-discriminatory culture.

23. Identify and take action when other peoples behaviour undermines Equality and Diversity.

24. Adhere to clinical governance policy requirements within the Trust.

25. Adhere to protocols controlling drug and clinical supplies.

26. Complete documentation (including electronic patient records where used) as per Trust guidelines and Information Governance requirements, e.g. Data Protection.

27. Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post/role.

28. Exhibit standards of personal and professional conduct and performance required by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) or successor body. Maintain professional registration through the HCPC or successor body.

29. Demonstrate awareness and application of HCPC principles contained within the Standards of Proficiency and Standards of Performance Conduct and Ethics.

30. Take part in activities that lead to personal and/or team growth. Be open to constructive feedback and take steps to develop practice in response to feedback.

31. Maintain effective relationships with clinical supervisor and others engaged in their learning. Attend performance review, and plan activities with mentor/line manager.

32. Take a lead in identifying own development needs.

33. Reflect on clinical practice and behaviours and develop a portfolio of practice in line with HCPC guidance to demonstrate competence against the NQP framework.

34. Attend training and development programmes identified as individually appropriate.

35. Behave as an ambassador for the trust by displaying trust values and professionalism in all engagements.

36. Engage with CPD opportunities.