West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

HART Operative - Reserve Pool

This job is now closed

Job summary

*INTERNAL ONLY FOR CURRENT WMAS EMPLOYEES*

We are excited to announce our yearly advert to build a reserve pool of HART Operatives for any vacancies that arise over the next 12 months

HART work within hazardous areas, to deliver the highest standards of pre-hospital specialist clinical care to all patients actually or potentially affected by any major civil emergency or an accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials or a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agent, whilst using specialist personal protective (PPE) within the inner cordon or Hot Zone. The Hot Zone is an area within the Inner Cordon where high concentrations of a potentially hazardous substance are present and specific procedures and protocols, including Dynamic Risk Assessments, controlled access and egress and the wearing of appropriate levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are required. Depending on the type and nature of the hazard this area may contain live casualties who will need to be treated and prioritised for decontamination and evacuation (National HART Work Standard Operating Procedures v 7.0)

This opportunity is available for HCPC Registered Paramedics with a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience and must have completed their NQP portfolio/consolidation period (if applicable, evidence will be required of completion)

Stage 1 assessments will be held on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th April & will be followed by interviews & fitness test at a later date at Sandwell HUB

Main duties of the job

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible workplace for everyone where our colleagues feel empowered to succeed.

Each person plays a vital part to ensuring our organisation meets the differing needs of our communities ultimately enabling us to save lives. We acknowledge that a workforce that reflects the communities that it serves provide better patient care and we are therefore looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference to our patients.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity at all levels. We are proud to have maintained Disability Confident Leader status and as part of our commitments to this we guarantee to invite all applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role to attend assessment or interview. If you have a disability or learning difficulty, and prefer to disclose it, please feel free to do so in your application. You can also contact the Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk if you wish to have a confidential discussion. We use this information, with your permission, to ensure you are fully supported during the recruitment process.

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.

About us

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 £55.76 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.

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

11 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year plus the relevant unsocial hours

Contract

Secondment

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9217-294-24-25

Job locations

Sandwell HUB

Shidas Lane

Oldbury

B69 2GR

Job description

Job responsibilities

Operational

In accordance with laid down policies, Standard Operating Procedures and Concepts of Operations:

Provide immediate health input to the initial assessment of the scene to meet the needs of Ambulance and Health Services, including casualty confirmation and management

Receive incident briefings from the HART Team Leader/Manager/Incident Commander on assigned roles and instructions for managing the incident, following the deployment plan where appropriate.

To provide specialist clinical support and knowledge within HAZMAT/CBRN and USAR situations

Estimate resources required and undertake Situation Reporting (SitRep) as required

Direct, coordinate and deliver life saving clinical care for patients within the inner cordon including triage (where appropriate, toxic triage), diagnosis, appropriate treatment, prior to, and during, decontamination (if contamination present) and in situations of difficult access in USAR incidents, at times being the only clinician in situ and deliver casualties into mainstream healthcare

Operate specialist equipment e.g mass oxygen delivery system, DIM equipment, Safe Working at Height equipment and make appropriate use, based on dynamic risk assessment, of levels of PPE provided

Collaborate with partners operating alongside HART and liaise with specialist agencies e.g. HPA, CHAPD, and Fire Service USAR to gather relevant information on scene.

Estimate resources required and deliver Situation Reports when required.

Access relevant databases (e.g. TOXBASE, CHEMNET, CHAPD (HPA) etc.) to research and communicate to others regarding the symptoms, treatment, and decontamination procedures for an incident.

Provide clinical support and backup to multi-agency service personnel working in the inner cordon

Undertake Hazard Identification monitor local environment safety e.g. weather & climate conditions, gas levels and wind direction, liaising with other available expertise to consolidate decision making

Comply with Command & Control in the inner cordon / Hot/Warm Zones contributing to the deployment of resources, casualty management and evacuation

Actively support and work with other members of the Team undertaking those tasks allocated by the HART Team Leader, Tactical Commanders or other person designated to manage all incidents.

Working within the Team, maintain the readiness of PPE, clinical and operational equipment and vehicles, and carry out routine care and maintenance to ensure a high state of preparedness.

Be prepared to respond to national incidents, with the possibility of being away for unknown periods of time.

Governance & Quality

Work within the policies and procedures of the Trust and HART Unit to ensure that:

Patient confidentiality is maintained at all times and that any confidential/classified information which comes in to your possession or knowledge is managed in such a manner as not to compromise an operation or the safety of staff involved in the delivery of any such operation. Be aware that the immediate working environment may be designated a scene of crime and as far as possible endeavour to preserve and/or leave undisturbed any potential evidence, without compromising ability to perform the clinical role

Maintain required personal standards of service delivery and core HART skills and attend training events as required to deliver the expected level of service.

Actively support and work with other members of the team undertaking tasks allocated by persons designated to manage the incident.

Assist in the ongoing evaluation of HART capabilities and effectiveness

Assist in the research and development of new equipment.

Analyse information from multiple sources to better understand the nature of an incident and plan scene management activities.

Ensure the accurate recording of information, including patient records and decision logs, relating to HART operations, in accordance with established procedures and share with Team Leaders and other authorised staff as appropriate

Communication, Networking & Working Relationships

Comply with the required instructions, procedures and processes of the Team, and the Trust to maintain effective two-way communication.

If required, represent the Trust and emergency services in the public arena and promote its image as a professional and competent service.

Develop and maintain good working relationships with other emergency services, NHS Trusts and public sector agencies.

Promote HART awareness to other Ambulance staff

Actively support and promote the aims and objectives of the Trusts HART capability.

Strategic

Actively support and promote the Trusts purpose, Vision and Values, and broad organisational goals

Actively support and promote the aims and objectives of the Trusts Hazardous Area Response Team

Be responsible for personal contribution to the development of the HART Team and where necessary, the testing of new initiatives.

Personal Responsibility & Development

Adhere to Trust policies and best practice thereby maintaining and promoting the highest professional standards, including clinical practice, conduct, attendance and compliance with the dress code.

Demonstrate and maintain a positive attitude and commitment to Equal Opportunities and diversity.

Take responsibility for own Personal Development Review in accordance with the Trusts arrangements and, in agreement with Team Leader, plan and engage in formal and informal learning events that underpin the demands of the role.

Attend identified courses to maintain and increase personal knowledge base.

Develop specialised knowledge of HART principles, capabilities and procedures.

To maintain competencies through continuation training, both practical and theoretical and any instructional opportunities.

Attend and complete nationally agreed training programmes when required.

Be responsible for personal contribution to the development of HART and where necessary, the testing and evaluation of new initiatives.

Health & Safety

Ensure that the safest possible working practices are followed at all times.

Maintain a good level of physical fitness and undergo and pass physical competence assessments when required.

Maintain personally issued PPE to required standards.

Take personal responsibility to remedy Health & Safety issues as quickly as possible within the limits if skills, training and personal authority level, or refer to and work close with HART Team Leaders and/or senior management and the safety and risk team to ensure that any risk or compromise to staff safety is brought to their attention.

Ensure personal safety and that of colleagues by complying with any instructions or procedures as laid down in the HART IRU/USAR Standard Operating Procedures and other related documentation.

Key Result Areas & Performance Measures

Successful completion of all HART Training requirements that are current requirements of NHSE as a HART Paramedic, these are Module 1-4, HCID, UTV, Swift Water Rescue, MTS/SSO, SWAH, Confined Space & Radiation

Active contribution to maintaining a high performing team

Delivery of immediate and high quality clinical care to patients in accordance with procedures

Compliance with the operating procedures and directions and instructions given by authorised team and scene managers.

Successful completion of annual learning, training and re-licensing programmes and agreed Personal Development Plans

Contribution to initiatives and programmes to raise awareness of HART/CBRN/USAR issues

Compliance with Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation