South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Specialist Practitioner Critical Care

The closing date is 27 November 2026

Job summary
Be responsible for the assessment, care, treatment and transportation of patients as a specialist practitioner in pre-hospital critical care, working predominantly as part of HEMS or ground based critical or enhanced care service.

Provide effective clinical leadership, development and mentorship to operational personnel, including trainee specialist practitioners in critical care, to support the delivery of a high-quality patient centred service. To achieve and maintain all currencies and perform the required tasks of the Technical Crew Member (TCM) role as part of the flight crew for a HEMS aircraft. The TCM role is subject to completion of an aviation medical by a recognised Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Completion of patient clinical records to a high standard and input of data into the clinical data base for clinical governance and audit purposes.

The role will be 37.5 hours per week, consisting of 9.5 hour shifts currently covering 0700 to 0200 and will be initially on a relief rota.

Candidates who are successfully shortlisted will be invited to attend an assessment day at Cornwall Airbase to take part in fitness, practical and written assessments in January 2027.

Main duties of the job

• The immediate response to life threatening emergency calls providing specialist interventions within the scope of a Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care as defined by South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASfT).
• Respond to major incidents as part of SWASfT major incident plan and the Emergency Preparedness Resilience & Response Department.
• Undertake operational flying and ground based duties as required including shift and night working.

About us
At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) we have a culture where everyone is valued for being themselves. Our aim is to work together to promote the most inclusive environment possible, which attracts people from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work that we do together, for the benefit of all of our employees, our patients and the communities we serve. We offer flexible working opportunities, inclusive policies and a range of feedback mechanisms to support individuals and to enable a positive, welcoming environment where our people and their careers can thrive in.

We employ over 5,000 employees mainly clinical, operational and emergency response staff as well as supporting roles. We also employ Doctors and volunteers which include community first responders and fire co-responders.

We take all the steps needed to provide the most compassionate patient care possible whilst also providing an enjoyable and safe place to work. We actively promote a positive set of behaviours as being key to our performance both individually and collectively. Our recruitment, selection and screening processes are designed to uphold these standards and we invite all our candidates to actively share with us through these processes how they will bring these behaviours to life.

Details
Date posted: 10 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 202-8406287
Job locations: Cornwall Air Ambulance, Trevithick Downs, Newquay, TR8 4DY, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities

• 1.1 The immediate response to life threatening emergency calls.
• 1.2 Respond to major incidents as part of SWASfT Incident Response plan.
• 1.3 Operate in difficult and remote conditions ensuring appropriate equipment available at all incidents
• 1.4 Undertake operational flying and ground based duties as required including shift and night working.
• 1.5 Work on attachment to NHS hospitals for clinical exposure as required.
• 1.6 In line with Air Operators HEMS Aircrew regulations undertake training in order to provide support to the pilot in regards to navigation, pre-landing and take-off checks, flight safety, meteorology, ground to air communications, aircraft marshalling, rotors running refueling and night flying operations (where appropriate).
• 1.7 Whilst on the ground ensure health and safety around the aircraft, control movements within rotor disc in conjunction with aircraft commander.
• 1.8 Undertake pre-flight planning as necessary.
• 1.9 Checking aircraft / Critical Care Car equipment and restocking drugs / kit, completion of aircraft / Critical Care Car daily check sheets and ensure bags are sealed in line with unit sop when necessary. Ensure that drugs and Controlled Drugs are stored, booked out and usages recorded in line with SWASfT policies.
• 1.10 Undertake all activities which contribute to the efficient running of the daily routine of the unit.
• 1.11 Entry of all calls, PCRs and EPCRs on base clinical database to enable case monitoring and monthly statistical reports.
• 1.12 Participate in trials of new equipment and procedures as advised by the Air Operations Management team and the Enhanced and Critical Care Groups.
• 1.13 Provide cover on the base Enhanced and Critical Care Car as part of a critical care or enhanced care team or as a solo responder.
• 1.14 Be willing to maintain availability for out of hours emergency transfers when required.
• 1.15 Fully participate in clinical governance which includes but is not restricted to attendance at monthly Clinical Governance meetings, monthly training days and participation in audit.
• 1.16 Fully participate in charity activities to include (but are not limited to) fundraising events, talks and hosting visits.
• 1.17 Participate in the organisation and provision of selection for new staff.
• 1.18 Undertake the mentoring of new staff as required by the unit.
• 1.19 Maintain state registration and appropriate aircrew qualifications as required by the Trust and unit.
• 1.20 Successfully complete all elements of initial training and maintain competencies through CPD; including Air Operations HEMS Crew Course, CRM (Crew Resource Management), medicals as required by the operator/CAA or EASA and any other specific requirements designated by the Air Operator.
• 1.21 Successfully undertake academic studies including a Post Graduate Diploma and SWASFT SP-CC Portfolio.
• 1.22 Fully engage with SWASFT and Air Operations academic and clinical development and CPD maintenance such as prescribing should it be thought applicable.
• 1.23 Ensure patient contact is sufficient to fulfill the role through a significant amount of clinical exposure. This could not be fulfilled in a part time role without any further patient focused roles.
• 1.24 Responsible for the appropriate selection of destination hospital taking into account the patients needs based on clinical assessment and diagnosis. 1.25 Comply with Health & Safety requirements of place of work and the airbase including the Operators and charities requirements. Including random drink and drug testing on request and any other reasonable requests, such as aviation medical tests.
• 1.26 If appointed to the role on reduced hours you must ensure that relevant critical care is being delivered in a patient facing environment in the majority of your other employment.
• 1.27 Rotations through various departments and hospitals are undertaken to ensure skill set is optimised and maintained as directed in conjunction with the organizational leads.
• 1.28 If not in possession of a blue light qualification, must successfully pass blue light training and C1 driving category to fulfill expectations.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK. For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential

• HCPC registered Paramedic or NMC registered nurse
• Full UK driving licence with a maximum of 3 penalty points.
• Evidence of further relevant or extended learning

Desirable

• IHCD emergency driving qualification including C1
• HEMS Crewmember
• Current CRM (Crew Resource Management)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Cornwall Air Ambulance, Trevithick Downs, Newquay, TR8 4DY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.swast.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Air Operations Officer, Stephen Garvey, stephen.garvey@swast.nhs.uk, 07734862624

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