Job overview
The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) is a specialist capability within the ambulance service required to provide paramedic level care to patients caught within hazardous situations and subsequently increasing their chances of survival. These situations may be large scale major incidents or they may include more routine incidents for example working at height, difficult access or in water. In addition to the extensive additional training in specialist capabilities and working within safe systems of work, HART Paramedics become proficient in the use of a wide range of specialist protective clothing and incident management equipment.
As a HART Paramedic you will respond to complex and possibly protracted incidents. You will deliver paramedic interventions through key HART capability areas:
* Hazardous Materials incidents.
* Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear emergencies (CBRN)
* Marauding Terrorist Attacks
* Safe Working at Height
* Confined Space
* Unstable Terrain
* Water Operations
* Support to Security Operations
SCAS HART is based in Eastleigh, near Southampton, Hampshire
** PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO VACANCIES WITHIN HART, THIS IS FOR A RECRUITMENT POOL ONLY **
This Pool vacancy is for candidates who currently have the Right to Work in the UK (do not require a visa) as we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for experienced paramedics to be placed into the recruitment pool for the Hazardous Area Response Team
The process once applied is:
* Application shortlisting
* HART Physical Competency assessment Testing
* SCAS HART swim test
* Safe working at height confidence test, confined space assessment confidence test and a clinical OSCE.
* Successful completion of respiratory mask fit testing
* HART Interview (held on separate days to the physical selection testing day)
* Successful completion of further internal Trust requirements including occupational health screening
The HART selection days will be on the 4th and 12th February from 0900-1700 and the clinical assessments on the 13th and 18th February (times to be confirmed).
Interview dates are to be confirmed.
**Please note there are no alternative dates for assessment or interview**
On the selection days candidates will complete the following assessments:
* PCA
* Safe working at height
* Confined Space
* Swimming
Candidates should attend in uniform and wear appropriate boots. Please also bring running shoes and appropriate clothing as well as swimming costumes and goggles for the swim assessment.
You will only attend an interview if you are successful at all elements of the assessment. You will be notified of the assessment results on the day.
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
* Full training and support when you join and ongoing throughout your employment with us.
* Holiday entitlement is 27 days rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
* Enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
* Access to continual professional development and opportunities within SCAS and the NHS.
* Occupational Health support along with an Employee Assistance Programme.
* NHS Discounts in over 200+ stores including Holidays, Days out, Car insurance, Restaurants and Clothing.
About Us
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of emergency, urgent care and non-emergency healthcare services, along with commercial logistics services.
The Trust delivers most of these services to the populations of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire as well as non-emergency patient transport services in Surrey and Sussex.
We serve a population of over 7 million and answer over 500,000 urgent calls a year. We employ 4,551 staff who, together with over 1,100 volunteers, enable us to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed information regarding the criteria required for a HART Paramedic is available within the Job Description and Person Specification, however, some of the essential criteria are:
* HCPC Registered Paramedic, with extensive operational experience (2 years post registration experience including preceptorship training and Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) period).
* Emergency Driving Qualification
* Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with people at all levels
* Evidence of a proactive approach to own CPD and development of professional practice
* You will be able to demonstrate competence in team working, self-discipline, communication skills, adaptability, planning skills and decision making.
* You must have a good level of fitness be comfortable working at height and in confined spaces and be capable of swimming 100 metres as a minimum.
* It is essential you weigh less than 115kg for operational reasons.
* You must not suffer from lung function difficulties or breathing conditions including asthma which is inhaler dependent for treatment.
Applicants should be aware that HART is both a national and local ambulance capability, there may a requirement for flexibility surrounding shifts and time away from home, including the requirement to attend residential training courses to achieve required standards.
In the event of large scale incidents or exercises, staff may occasionally be required to work nationally anywhere in the UK for a period of time.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Registered Qualified HCPC Paramedic. (Completion of NQP consolidation and preceptorship training, with a minimum of two years post-NQP experience.)
* IHCD or FutureQuals Emergency Driving Qualification
* Valid manual B category UK Driving licence including category C1 and no more than 3 penalty points.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of coaching/mentoring people
* Certificate in Coaching/Mentoring
* Recognised education qualifications - clinical or managerial (level 2 minimum)
* SORT Team member
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Operational ambulance experience
* Evidence of working in a multi-agency environment
* Experience of supervising staff and supporting new entrants
* Experience of development relationships with external agencies and organisations
Skills
Essential criteria
* Proven clinical skills and a commitment to delivering high standards of patient care
* Ability to make sound clinical decisions often at short notice
* Ability to maintain high standards of clinical care and health and safety, even in stressful and challenging situations
* Understanding of and demonstrable commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity, both as a colleague and as a provider of a service to the public
* Demonstrate effective written, verbal and listening communication skills
* Ability to work effectively in partnership and a team
* Ability to use computerised IT systems
* Excellent verbal and written interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of occupational and cultural backgrounds
* Positive attitude towards learning and development, demonstrated by a record of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
* Understanding of the Trust’s risk management system and ability to undertake D ynamic Operational Risk Assessments and manage risk in accordance with these procedures
* Ability to work effectively in enclosed, confined spaces
* Ability to work effectively at height and other areas of difficult access
* Ability to demonstrate excellent clinical skill and autonomous clinical practice and competence within a set of defined competencies and protocols
* Ability to help others learn and develop through both formal and informal training methods
* Strong written communication skills including the ability to produce written reports, patient report forms and handover clinical information to other healthcare professionals
We actively welcome job applications from candidates who have a disability or who are members of the BAME, LGBTQ+ and Armed Forces community (including: Reservists, Veterans, Spouses and Cadets). Here at SCAS we are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).
Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.
As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff.