Job Advert
The Scottish Ambulance Service is at the frontline of the NHS in Scotland, responding to over 600,000 emergency calls a year, we provide an emergency Ambulance Service to a population of over 5 million people, across the mainland and island communities.
We are committed to developing a workforce capable of delivering the highest levels of quality service and clinical, person-centred care, in line with Scottish Ambulance service and NHS Quality Strategy.
The role of Advanced Practitioner is an exciting development within the Scottish Ambulance Service and will provide an excellent opportunity for career development within a clinical role.
We are currently accepting applications for Paramedics to undertake the role of Trainee Advanced Practitioner (Urgent & Primary Care).
This is an opportunity to join our growing team of Advanced Practitioners within SAS and continue to build upon the success of the Advanced Practice programme.
Advanced Practitioners (AP) in Urgent & Primary Care undertake a dynamic role providing high-level, independent decision-making, including assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment including prescribing, of patients with complex multidimensional needs. The AP in Urgent & Primary Care work within a rotational model, the role includes working as part of the multidisciplinary team in primary care and/or Out of Hours services. Providing virtual patient consultation, professional support for other clinicians, and providing response on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Operating at this level, the AP will possess a wide-ranging breadth of knowledge and understanding in addition to evidence of critical thinking, patient assessment and clinical care. Delivery of this advanced level of care will be supported by a scope of practice beyond what is currently required for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Paramedic. The AP will also be expected to work across the four domains of advanced practice, including contributing to service wide audit, research, training and education.
Applicants will be HCPC registered Paramedics and be eligible to be accepted on the PGDip Advanced Practice programme as per the attached criteria. In addition, you will have a significant and demonstrable level of clinical practice within primary/urgent/emergency care.
Successful applicants, not already in possession of the required education and competencies, will undertake a fully funded Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice and which will include non-medical prescribing. In addition, APs complete a Competency Framework. The full AP training programme is anticipated to take around 30 months to complete.
All Advanced Practitioners will be part of the Scottish Ambulance Service overall response; you will therefore need to have a full UK manual driving licence and you will need to successfully pass the FutureQuals Emergency Response Driver Training. The Scottish Ambulance Service will provide the Emergency Response Driver training if you do not already hold this qualification.
Applicants are advised to read all supporting documentation prior to applying.
The reflective learning statement should be completed by all applicants in line with the criteria and guidance document.
Paramedics working within the Scottish Ambulance Service are required to obtain support from their current line manager.
Please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this role.
Candidates who are required to undergo training will be offered the post of Trainee Advanced Practitioner. As this is a training role, you will be paid in accordance with AfC Annex 21, at70% at the top of band 7 while you complete your first 60 credits at level 11, including an advanced assessment module and agreed competencies within practice placement. You will then progress to 75% of the top of Band 7 for the remainder of your training programme. On completion of the AP (UPC) training programme, staff will start at the bottom of Band 7. Unless your current salary is higher, then salary protection will apply until you reach your qualification date. This currently applies to SAS employees those coming from other Health boards or partnership agencies full annex 21 will apply.
The AP Urgent and Primary Care roles are rostered positions with built-in relief weeks; this may vary during the first year of training.
Please note, shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake an assessment day. Full details of assessment will be provided in advance.
External applicants will be required to pass a fitness test prior to the assessment day.
Interviews for 2025 trainee Advanced Practice posts will take place on the 03rd and 05th June 2025.
Information and advice about the application process, the AP training programme, and the AP role to help you decide if it is right for you, is available on the Application Pack TAPUPC document included within the additional information documentation.
We will also hold drop-in sessions on the afternoon of the 06th May and morning of the 13th of May 2025 by Teams links to answer any questions about the role and the AP training programme.
To confirm attendance at the drop-in session please complete using one of the links
Session 1 - Tuesday 6th May 2025 @ 1400-1500: https://tinyurl.com/SASAPUPC1
Session 2 - Tuesday 13th May 2025 @ 1000-1100: https://tinyurl.com/SASAPUPC2
Informal enquiries should be directed to the generic email address sas.advanced-practitioner-upc@nhs.scot. In the subject heading please indicate the location in which you are interested.
East – Dundee, Fife and Killin
West – Glasgow, Hamilton and Kilmarnock
North – Aberdeen
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.