The National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) are currently seeking applications from enthusiastic, flexible and motivated individuals with a genuine interest in developing new skills for positions as Paramedics within the full time Special Operations Response Teams.
The purpose of SORT is to save life, increase survival, improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient and staff safety through the provision of specialist paramedical care.
SORT has been trained and equipped to extend the reach of the NHS into challenging and high-risk environments. To provide direct access to patients, undertake clinical assessment, triage, initial treatment and extrication whilst operating in circumstances where no other responding agency is able to provide clinical care and no other professional health care intervention is available, and so ensure a smooth transition for patients from the point of injury into wider NHS care. The Teams also attend around 9000 emergency calls annually.
The Role
SORT Paramedics must be HCPC registered with a minimum of 2 years post registration frontline experience and maintain a high level of clinical competency. Additional duties include support to multi agency operations and potential major incidents.
SORT paramedics are also required to undertake the following operational duties as part of their role:
1. Hazardous materials
2. CBRN
3. MTA
4. Safe working at height
5. Confined Space
6. Unstable terrain
7. Water operations
8. Support to security operations (Tactical medical operations e.g. Firearms)
All SORT posts are also required to undertake additional organisational support duties, which include crewing the SORT Response Units (SRUs). SORT personnel must also undertake continual specialist training to maintain their skills.
The Person
For these posts we are looking for flexible individuals with a can do approach who have excellent people skills. You will have developed communication skills, both oral and written. It is vitally important that you are be able to demonstrate the ability to work to a high standard using your own initiative and be able to work alongside other Paramedics and often the initial wider operational response to incidents on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service
Applications for the SORT Paramedic positions are invited from existing HCPC registered Paramedics with a minimum of 2 years post registration frontline experience.
Previous experience of SORT / CBRN / NBC operations would be advantageous, but not essential, as comprehensive training will be given.
Important - please note:
Appointments to SORT are made on the understanding that individuals attend and successfully complete the following Scottish Ambulance Service courses:
9. CBRNe Responder Course.
10. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Course
11. NxGen CBRN PPE Course
12. Incident Response Unit Course
13. Support to police tactical firearms operations
14. ATV course
15. Safe Working at Heights/Confined space and unstable terrain courses
16. Swift Water rescue technician course
The above courses require you to reach and maintain a minimum standard of fitness for which assessments will be carried out on an annual basis.
SORT personnel must also achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) level security clearance
Maintenance of these skills is a pre-requisite for continued employment within SORT.
Application and Selection
17. Please note that due to operational limitations, applications cannot be considered from persons that fall out with the height range of 160cm – 200cm, or the Scottish Ambulance Services upper safe working limit for staff wearing PPE (130kg).
18. There will be a requirement to undertake and pass the SORT Paramedic Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) and swim test, details of which are attached.
19. Undertake a clinical OSCE, a written task, and a competency-based interview.
20. In additional to the usual pre-employment checks, as this role requires you to deal with sensitive information, you will be required to undergo additional security vetting.
21. Please noteshortlisted candidates should be available 24th to the 26th of October for the PCA and Swim Test. Successful candidates will be interviewed the following week on the 29th and 30th of October. This will take place at East SORT – Newbridge.