Job summary
The role of a Specialist Practitioner in Critical Care is a challenging journey to embark on with fantastic opportunities. The work is varied but in essence involves being responsible for the assessment, care, treatment and transportation of critically unwell patients working predominantly as part of HEMS or ground based enhance or critical care service.
There is a clinical element and an aviation element to the role with full training and mentorship being provided by senior clinicians and consultant doctors in prehospital emergency medicine.
The trainee role starts at band 6 as a trainee and will progress to band 7 on full completion of the training pathway - this can take up to 2 years. However we would welcome applications from those who already work in a UK HEMS team.
Please note - there will be a selection day, provisionally set for 11th April 2024. Successful candidates from this will then be invited to a formal interview, provisionally set for 22nd April 2024.
Main duties of the job
As a trainee you will work as part of an enhanced or critical care team progressing through your portfolio. Duties will involve the immediate response to life threatening emergency calls including as part of the Major Incident response plan, providing specialist interventions within the scope of your role as defined by South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASfT).
Part of the role at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity involves undertaking operational flying. This will involve working as a Helicopter Technical Crew Member. The courses, training and mentorship will be provided to you by the organisation.
About us
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity is a registered charity providing emergency and critical care services to the people of Bristol, , North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset and surrounding areas.
We are located at our purpose-built airbase in Almondsbury, Bristol, which offers excellent facilities and a great place to work. We attend both medical and trauma patients of all ages in a wide range of environments including rural and urban areas.. We are looking for clinicians with extensive pre-hospital experience who are keen and motivated to join our team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role please see the attached job description and personal specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role please see the attached job description and personal specification.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Extensive post-qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to work and assimilate knowledge at post graduate level
- HCPC registered Paramedic or NMC registered nurse
- Full UK driving licence with a maximum of 3 penalty points
Desirable
- IHCD emergency driving qualification including C1
- HEMS Crewmember
- Current CRM (Crew Resource Management)
- Hold a recognised Critical Care qualification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Must have extensive post-qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to improve service delivery and develop clinical practice
- Extensive pre-hospital experience
- Documented evidence of engagement with a HEMS provider such as familiarisation days, training or governance
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- Evidence of career development in the form of clinical courses, educational progression, medical education or specialised skills; in addition to that provided by the employing organisation
- Extensive experience in the management and extrication of patients in varied environments
- No more than one avoidable accident in the last 12 months
Desirable
Skills, knowledge, ability
Essential
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Undertake a skills gap analysis identifying any areas that may require work. Willingly take on these requirements
- Complete the skills portfolio and any other requirements dictated to within the SWAST policy and requirements for recognition as a SP-CC
- Knowledge and understanding of the Quality Assurance System
- Ability to supervise members of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to plan and organise resources at the scene of an incident
- Pass technical crew member medical examination
- Physically fit to carry out job requirements
Aptitude and personal characteristics
Essential
- Be prepared to undertake night operations and additional aircrew shifts when required.
- Ensure that patient contact is sufficient to fulfil role (this may not be possible on reduced hours)
- Willingly contribute to outreach whether it be an educational role, dealing with the public, presentations or ambulance based shifts
- Successfully undertake academic studies including the PG Cert and Dip IMC within a reasonable timeframe
- Successfully pass an appropriate medical Page 4 of 5 assessment as directed by the aviation operator
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Extensive post-qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to work and assimilate knowledge at post graduate level
- HCPC registered Paramedic or NMC registered nurse
- Full UK driving licence with a maximum of 3 penalty points
Desirable
- IHCD emergency driving qualification including C1
- HEMS Crewmember
- Current CRM (Crew Resource Management)
- Hold a recognised Critical Care qualification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Must have extensive post-qualification experience
- Evidence of ability to improve service delivery and develop clinical practice
- Extensive pre-hospital experience
- Documented evidence of engagement with a HEMS provider such as familiarisation days, training or governance
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- Evidence of career development in the form of clinical courses, educational progression, medical education or specialised skills; in addition to that provided by the employing organisation
- Extensive experience in the management and extrication of patients in varied environments
- No more than one avoidable accident in the last 12 months
Desirable
Skills, knowledge, ability
Essential
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Undertake a skills gap analysis identifying any areas that may require work. Willingly take on these requirements
- Complete the skills portfolio and any other requirements dictated to within the SWAST policy and requirements for recognition as a SP-CC
- Knowledge and understanding of the Quality Assurance System
- Ability to supervise members of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to plan and organise resources at the scene of an incident
- Pass technical crew member medical examination
- Physically fit to carry out job requirements
Aptitude and personal characteristics
Essential
- Be prepared to undertake night operations and additional aircrew shifts when required.
- Ensure that patient contact is sufficient to fulfil role (this may not be possible on reduced hours)
- Willingly contribute to outreach whether it be an educational role, dealing with the public, presentations or ambulance based shifts
- Successfully undertake academic studies including the PG Cert and Dip IMC within a reasonable timeframe
- Successfully pass an appropriate medical Page 4 of 5 assessment as directed by the aviation operator
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Great Western Air Ambulance Service
Gloucester Road
Almondsbury
BS32 4AA
Employer's website
https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
