Job summary
Applications are invited for appointment to the role of Experienced HEMS Doctor for a Fixed Term period of twelve months starting in February 2024. This post falls outside the national Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine training pathway and will require the post holder to have GMC registration and a License to practice in the UK.
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is an internationally renowned charity providing Helicopter Emergency Medicine Services (HEMS) to the 4.5 million resident population of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. KSS operate two teams from Redhill Aerodrome; one 24 hours a day (two twelve-hour shifts; Helimed 60) and one 18 hours a day (two nine-hour shifts; Helimed 21) seven days a week. Doctors will rotate between both Helimed 21 and Helimed 60 shifts. Both teams comprise at least one HEMS paramedic and one HEMS doctor and can be deployed via helicopter or rapid response car to patients requiring pre-hospital resuscitation and rapid transfer to the most appropriate hospital for their needs.
This is an excellent opportunity for those who have a minimum of 6 months' experience (within the last 3 years) in other HEMS services and come from the parent specialties of Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine or Intensive Care Medicine. Applicants will be able to demonstrate they have already attained a high degree of competence as part of a Doctor Paramedic HEMS team.
Main duties of the job
Although post holders are employed through University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx), the posts are hosted by Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex and are based at the charity's operational base at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, RH1 5JZ.
The medical rota is full shift covering early, late, day and night shifts and includes rota'd time for educational clinical governance days that all staff attend fortnightly. It is compliant with the European Working Time Directive and weekends frequency is 1:2. Post holders will be provided with specific training for this role and will work under direct supervision of an experienced HEMS doctor until they are able to work on scene without direct supervision. After this time, there is senior HEMS consultant on call advice via telephone at all times and regular case reviews will ensure that clinicians are adequately supported in their work.
These posts do not attract an NTN in pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) however the training provides a similar experience to that provided to the PHEM trainees that KSS also host. Support for those who wish to apply for equivalence of UK PHEM training can be supported.
All candidates must be eligible for registration with the GMC. Where equivalent qualifications or experience are being offered, it is essential that the candidate provides written confirmation from the relevant Colleges.
About us
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is an internationally renowned air ambulance charity providing Helicopter Emergency Medicine Services (HEMS) to the 4.5 million resident population of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Our vision is an end to preventable loss of life from medical emergency. Although we are an independent charity and healthcare provider, KSS has strong links with University Hospitals Sussex, both managerially and clinically.
KSS operate two teams from Redhill Aerodrome; one 24 hours a day (two twelve-hour shifts; Helimed 60) and one 18 hours a day (two nine-hour shifts; Helimed 21) seven days a week. Both teams comprise at least one HEMS paramedic and one HEMS doctor and can be deployed via helicopter or rapid response car to patients requiring pre-hospital resuscitation and rapid transfer to the most appropriate hospital for their needs.
KSS work in partnerships with the statutory ambulance service (South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust), the Major Trauma Centre's in Kent (Kings College Hospital), Surrey (St Georges Hospital) and Sussex (the Royal Sussex County Hospital) and hospital teams across the three counties. KSS has built a strong reputation for delivering high quality pre-hospital care and is renowned internationally for the strength of the service it has developed and for its reputation as a leading producer of impactful per-hospital care research.
Further information about KSS can be found at: www.aakss.org.uk/
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Endeavour to provide high quality care to patients, both on scene and in transit to hospital at all times
- Maintain high levels of crew resource management within the HEMS team including charity staff, managerial staff, dispatches, pilots, paramedics and other doctors
- Work collaboratively with staff from the main stakeholders of the charity, including but not limited to the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the acute hospital trusts within the region
- Become and remain thoroughly aware of KSSs standard operating procedures and use these appropriately whilst delivering care to patients under their care
- Become and remain proficient in detailed handover of complex patients.
- Provide adequate documentation.
- Communicate as required with patients and their relatives.
- Support and as requested co-ordinate clinical governance days
- Take a full and active part in the required training and education whilst in post, including constructively engaging in the clinical governance and case debrief process
- Expertise and guidance in dealing with complaints and other areas of clinical governance will be available to the HEMS doctor.
- Comply with UHSx and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex infection and patient safety guidelines.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Endeavour to provide high quality care to patients, both on scene and in transit to hospital at all times
- Maintain high levels of crew resource management within the HEMS team including charity staff, managerial staff, dispatches, pilots, paramedics and other doctors
- Work collaboratively with staff from the main stakeholders of the charity, including but not limited to the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the acute hospital trusts within the region
- Become and remain thoroughly aware of KSSs standard operating procedures and use these appropriately whilst delivering care to patients under their care
- Become and remain proficient in detailed handover of complex patients.
- Provide adequate documentation.
- Communicate as required with patients and their relatives.
- Support and as requested co-ordinate clinical governance days
- Take a full and active part in the required training and education whilst in post, including constructively engaging in the clinical governance and case debrief process
- Expertise and guidance in dealing with complaints and other areas of clinical governance will be available to the HEMS doctor.
- Comply with UHSx and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex infection and patient safety guidelines.
Person Specification
Professional Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post graduate experience
- 6 months experience in Anaesthesia or related topics with competency in Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia
- 6 months experience in Emergency Medicine or relevant experience
- Experience within a HEMS Doctor role of greater than 6 months (within the last 3 years)
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates practical ability appropriate to the HEMS doctor role
- Understanding of clinical risk management
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical / scientific approach
- An ability to communicate well with patients and staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
- Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
- Understand and be able demonstrate the importance of crew resource management
- IT skills
Desirable
- Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of: NHS / Third sector / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable
- Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates practical ability appropriate to the HEMS doctor role
- Understanding of clinical risk management
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical / scientific approach
- An ability to communicate well with patients and staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
- Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
- Understand and be able demonstrate the importance of crew resource management
- IT skills
Desirable
- Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of: NHS / Third sector / Clinical governance / Resource constraints.
Desirable
- Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential
- Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
- FRCA Primary / MRCEM / MRCP or equivalent
Person Specification
Professional Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years post graduate experience
- 6 months experience in Anaesthesia or related topics with competency in Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia
- 6 months experience in Emergency Medicine or relevant experience
- Experience within a HEMS Doctor role of greater than 6 months (within the last 3 years)
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates practical ability appropriate to the HEMS doctor role
- Understanding of clinical risk management
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical / scientific approach
- An ability to communicate well with patients and staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
- Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
- Understand and be able demonstrate the importance of crew resource management
- IT skills
Desirable
- Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of: NHS / Third sector / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable
- Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Clinical Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates practical ability appropriate to the HEMS doctor role
- Understanding of clinical risk management
- Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical / scientific approach
- An ability to communicate well with patients and staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Appropriate level of clinical knowledge / up to date
- Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice
- Understand and be able demonstrate the importance of crew resource management
- IT skills
Desirable
- Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential
- Able to organise oneself and prioritise clinical need
- Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of: NHS / Third sector / Clinical governance / Resource constraints.
Desirable
- Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential
- Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
- FRCA Primary / MRCEM / MRCP or equivalent
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).
