Job Advert
|
NATIONAL RISK & RESILIENCE DEPARTMENT
Special Operations Response Teams
SORT Paramedics
37.5 Hours per Week
North SORT Base Bridge of Don Aberdeen
AfC Band 6, £33,072 to £40,736 per annum plus unsocial allowance
Thinking about a Special Operations Paramedic career in Scotland?
Maybe it is time for a change or maybe you have always fancied working in some of the UKs most stunning scenery. Well the time is right to come and join us here in Scotland!
Scotland can offer the hustle and bustle of city life as well as the tranquil environment of our rural communities, all in one day. You can have city living with the mountains on your doorstep or if you prefer living by the sea then you could consider one of our coastline locations. In Scotland you can really make the most of your free time, whether you are looking for the cafe culture of our big cities, or you enjoy outdoor pursuits like cycling, climbing, walking and water sports, Scotland has it all. With a population of just over 5 million across the mainland and island communities, there is space for everyone’s preference here! Scotland also has some of these highest attainment levels of education in the UK, so if you have a family of school age this is the ideal place for their education and an enhanced family lifestyle.
The cost of living is significantly lower in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. For example, the average house price in June 2021 was £173,961 against the national average of £265,668 in England. Under agenda for change at the top of pay band 6 in Scotland, your income is £1,200 higher.
You will also benefit from initiatives such as free prescriptions, free Higher Education and unmetered water supplies. Weekly household costs have shown to be 20% lower in Scotland than in London and 10% lower than the rest of the UK (Talent Scotland, 2020) so your disposable income is greater.
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 and act as clinical leads maintaining 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:
Hazardous materials
CBRN
MTFA/MTA
Safe working at height
Confined Space
Unstable terrain
Water operations
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), in service training, clinical audit, ACC and logistical support.
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 HPC registered Paramedics.
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:
2-day CBRNe Responder Course.
5 day self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Course
Quick Don CBRN PPE Course
10 day Incident Response Unit Course
Support to police tactical firearms operations
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.
Maintenance of these skills is a pre-requisite for continued employment within SORT.
In addition to the above, there may be a requirement to undertake additional training covering the following elements:
Safe Working at Height
Confined Space
Unstable Terrain
Water Operations
Support To Security Operations (over and above what is delivered on SORT foundation training)
Application and Selection
There will be a requirement to undertake and pass the recently introduced SORT Paramedic Physical Competency Assessment (PCA), details of which are attached.
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.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be made to the following:
Drew Sloan, Special Operations Manager North SORT on 07979 748880 or by emailing Andrew.sloan2@nhs.scot
If you have any issues in trying to apply for this vacancy, please get in touch with Bradlay.Lang3@nhs.scot
The Scottish Ambulance Service reserve the right to close this advertisement early if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.