Job Description:
IHCD/ Ambulance Technician – High Dependency & Mental Health Transport
Location: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire
Base: Tricorder Care Services – Regional Bases
Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off – Nights Only (12-hour shifts)
Pay Rate: £25 per hour
Contract: Full Time
About Tricorder Care Services
Tricorder Care Services is a CQC-registered independent ambulance provider delivering High Dependency Unit (HDU), urgent care, and specialist mental health transport across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
Following the recent award of a major NHS and mental health secure transport contract, we are expanding our specialist workforce and are seeking experienced IHCD Ambulance Technicians to join our night operational teams.
We are committed to delivering safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led services in accordance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations, NHS England standards, and national mental health transport frameworks.
Tricorder Care Services is an equal opportunities employer.
Role Overview
You will work as part of a two-person HDU crew alongside an Emergency Care Assistant or Technician, delivering safe, professional, and compassionate care to patients requiring high dependency or specialist mental health transport.
This includes the transfer of vulnerable, acutely unwell, or detained mental health patients between hospitals, secure units, and specialist facilities under planned or urgent conditions.
You will operate under CQC standards, NHS commissioning requirements, and Tricorder Care Services clinical governance framework.
No two shifts will be the same. You may be transferring:
High dependency patients requiring continuous monitoring
Mental health patients under the Mental Health Act
Patients requiring secure transport and specialist supervision
Patients requiring long-distance inter-hospital transfers
Vulnerable or anxious patients requiring reassurance and support
Your professionalism, clinical competence, and calm approach are essential to ensuring safe and dignified patient care.
Key Responsibilities
Safely operate High Dependency Unit (HDU) and specialist mental health ambulances
Provide high-quality patient care in accordance with IHCD and CQC standards
Safely transfer high dependency and mental health patients between healthcare facilities
Work within NHS England and Mental Health Act transport guidance
Maintain patient dignity, safety, and comfort at all times
Accurately complete electronic and written Patient Care Records (PCRs)
Conduct daily vehicle checks in accordance with CQC and DVSA requirements
Ensure vehicles, equipment, and clinical areas remain clean and operational
Communicate professionally with patients, relatives, NHS staff, and colleagues
Work safely in accordance with company SOPs, risk assessments, and infection control policies
Mental Health & Secure Transport Requirements
Due to the newly awarded mental health contract, this role requires staff trained and competent in:
PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression)
RRN-compliant restraint training (Restraint Reduction Network standards)
Safe and lawful use of approved restraint systems, including handcuffs where authorised and clinically appropriate
Mental Health Act patient transport procedures
De-escalation techniques and conflict management
Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
Full refresher training will be provided in accordance with CQC, NHS England, and RRN standards.
Clinical & Operational Duties
Patient assessment and monitoring within Technician scope of practice
Safe use of clinical equipment including stretchers, carry chairs, scoop stretchers, and spinal immobilisation devices
Safe manual handling in accordance with Manual Handling Regulations
Maintaining clinical readiness of vehicle and equipment
Supporting high-dependency and mental health patient care
Responding safely under normal and urgent driving conditions
Essential Qualifications & Experience
IHCD Ambulance Technician qualification (essential)
CERAD Level 3 Emergency Response Driving qualification (essential)
Minimum 5 years ambulance operational experience (essential)
Valid full UK manual driving licence (minimum 12 months)
No more than 6 penalty points
Experience in mental health transport (preferred but not essential if training provided)
Excellent communication and patient care skills
Mandatory Compliance Requirements (CQC & NHS)
Successful candidates must meet all CQC and NHS employment standards, including:
Enhanced DBS clearance (Adult & Child Workforce)
Right to Work in the UK verification
Occupational Health clearance
Professional references
Full driving licence verification
Completion of mandatory training, including:
– PMVA
– Safeguarding Adults & Children
– Infection Prevention & Control
– Basic Life Support
– Manual Handling
– RRN Restraint Training
Personal Attributes
We are looking for individuals who are:
Professional, calm, and confident
Compassionate and respectful
Reliable and trustworthy
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Able to manage challenging situations professionally
Committed to patient safety and high clinical standards
Working Pattern
4 on / 4 off rotation
Nights only
12-hour shifts
Overtime opportunities available
Pay & Benefits
£25 per hour
Full training and uniform provided
CQC-compliant clinical training programme
Mental health and restraint training provided
Career progression opportunities
Private Medical Insurance after 12 months
Free on-site parking
Recruitment Process
Online interview
Selection assessment
Clinical and driving verification
Training and induction at our Thame Training Centre
Apply Now
Due to the expansion of our NHS mental health and HDU services, we are recruiting experienced staff immediately.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing CQC-registered provider delivering critical services across the region.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Benefits:
Company pension
On-site parking
Work Location: In person