Our Strategic Plan identifies a key requirement for on-going recruitment and training of ab-initio Technical Crew SAR Winch Paramedics in order to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery to our customer the Maritime Coastguard Agency. Bristow Helicopters is opening recruitment for four cadetships which will provide extensive training over a year-long period after which you can apply internally for a permanent assignment and the opportunity for further training, support, career progression and financial advancement. Bristow Helicopters is committed to providing an innovative training and development package to bring you in to front-line Search & Rescue.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The SAR Winch Paramedic is responsible to the Commander to assist in the safe and efficient conduct of the flight and shall:
- Comply with the regulations and procedures prescribed in the Operations Manual
- Immediately inform the SAR commander about anything which might affect the SAR readiness of the helicopter or equipment
- Prepare the aircraft medical equipment before each flight
- Administer medical treatment to survivors in accordance with BHL scope of practice held
- Operate the Mission Management System and technical mission equipment as required
- Assist medical personnel in first aid and/or assist in operating the medical equipment in co-ordination with responsible medical personnel
- During winching operations inform the Winch Operator regarding height and direction by using standard guiding hand signals
- Ensure that good physical condition is maintained at all times
- Participate in the pre-flight brief and post-flight debrief
- Ensure that training requirements are met
- Log all training
Location will be as required during training with longer term opportunities to work at any of the following bases – Lydd, Lee-on-Solent, Newquay, St Athan, Caernarfon, Prestwick, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Inverness & Humberside. An assignment to one base does not preclude future applications to an alternate base. Internal vacancies are relatively routine but it may take a number of years to achieve a specific assignment.
Reporting to the Technical Crew Manager during training and Base Technical Crew Chief thereafter.
Hours are variable during training within the Flight Time Limitations and Working Time Directive. There is a requirement to hold 24 hour duty shifts both during training and once operational.
Key Relationships
Internal: Technical Crew Manager, Base Technical Crew Chief, Technical Crew Instructional staff, Base Clinical Lead, Senior Technical Crew Trainers
External: Acute Hospitals, Care Networks, Ambulance Service, MRTs, RNLI, Police, FRS, Coastguard.
Summary
Operating from any of our UK bases we expect our SAR Winch Paramedics to integrate as part of a four person crew and a six person team. You will hold a 24 hour shift, commencing at 1300, and will respond within 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes at night to a wide variety of challenging and complex tasks, often in hazardous environments and extremes of weather. Unsupervised, you will evaluate, plan & execute patient treatment, extrication and transportation requirements. Candidates need to be both team players and leaders; you need to be able to work autonomously yet be able to lead authoritatively. The potential physical and emotional challenges of SAR tasking can be extreme and should not be under-estimated. You will deliver high quality, safe, effective and compassionate pre-hospital clinical care.
Essential Requirements
Right to permanently live and work in the UK
HCPC registered Paramedic
Full UK/EU driving licence
Availability to commence employment in February 2025
Five GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths, English and a Science (or equivalent academic qualification)
Current passport holder
Key Attributes
Physically fit
Professionally competent
Authoritative
Resilient
Capable
Emotionally strong
Problem solver
Calm
Good communicator
Reflective
Flexible
Leader
Self-motivated
Lateral thinker
Ambassador
Mentally agile
Accountable
Adaptable
You are expected to:
Identify and maintain your own CPD requirements
Maintain a high degree of physical fitness
Comply with Bristow Drug & Alcohol policy including pre-employment and randomised screening
You will:
Frequently need to demonstrate a high level of physical fitness, stamina and emotional resilience to overcome the challenging demands of emergency situations. As with most emergency services this will mean occasional exposure to highly distressing and traumatic circumstances.
Frequently require to use manual handling for the movement of patients including the use of specialised equipment.
Frequently require the use of fine motor skills during patient treatment.
Frequently work in confined spaces, high and low temperatures, as well as adverse weather conditions such as rain & snow and in high sea states.
Above all, you will adhere to Bristow’s “Target Zero” ethos; which is at the core of all that we do.
Please note that due to the volumes of applications we are unable to respond individually to all applications. We would like to thank all applicants for the time and effort taken in applying.