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Make a difference

www.jobs.nhs.ukMAKE A DIFFERENCE

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Introduction


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CAREERS

VACANCIES

RECRUITMENT

TRAINING

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Introduction

The North West Ambulance Service(NWAS) was established on 1 July2006 following the merger of fourTrusts covering Cumbria, GreaterManchester, Lancashire andMersey Region. The Trust providesservices to approximately 7 millionpeople in an area of 5,500 squaremiles, which incorporates widelyvarying demography, topographyand health needs throughout theregion. The Trust has a budget of£215 million, currently operatesfrom 114 ambulance stations andemploys around 5,000 staff.

The North West Ambulance Serviceis committed to equality anddiversity and aims to ensure theirworkforce accurately reflects thecommunities which it serves. Wehave a range of career opportunitiesand welcome applications from allcommunities and sections of society.

We are committed to providingservices which embrace diversityand which promote equality ofopportunity. We also offer aguaranteed interview scheme (GIS)for disabled applicants who meetour minimum selection criteria at each stage of the selectionprocess. Application forms andinformation in alternative formatsare available on request.

We will not tolerate discriminationin any form including: gender,marital status, sexual orientation,race, colour, nationality, religion,age, disability, working pattern,caring responsibilities trade unionactivity or political beliefs-or anyother grounds.

The trust has a wide range of job opportunities ranging fromoperational staff, including calltakers to support functionsincluding IT, Finance, HR,hospitality and estates.

All of our vacancies are advertisedonline via www.jobs.nhs.uk

In addition, we also have adedicated Recruitment Team who can be contacted via: 0845 11 22 018 [email protected] for additional advice or guidance.

Our FORWARD THINKING organisation could FAST TRACK you to real success


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Terms and Conditions of Service


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Terms and Conditions of Service

The service offers a range ofexcellent benefits including anexcellent pension scheme, accessto NHS discounts, NHS Mortgagesand Childcare Vouchers.

Working hours are 37.5 per week,exclusive of meal breaks. Employeesmay be required to work a varietyof shifts, including weekends,throughout the 24 hour period, ifappropriate to the post. Because of the emergency nature of theservices provided by NWAS staffmay be required in the interest ofpatient safety to work beyond theirnormal finishing time.

You may be required as part ofyour role to work unsocial hours,an allowance will be paid to reflect this.

You will undertake an AnnualDevelopment Review andsubsequently agree a PersonalDevelopment Plan with your linemanager or nominated reviewer,consistent with the Knowledge andSkills Framework outline for yourpost as part of your continuingprofessional development.

Your base will be allocated as closeto your home as possible, howeveryou may be required to travel toan alternative location within areasonable travelling distance.

The trust offers a generous annualleave entitlement, which isdisplayed in the table below.

The service offers a comprehensiveoccupational sick pay scheme,which increases with length of service.

The trust operates a strict nosmoking policy, which all staffmust adhere to.



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Length of serviceAnnual leave + General Public Holidays

27 days + 8 days On appointment to NHS

29 days + 8 days After 5 years NHS service

33 days + 8 days After 10 years NHS service

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Additional Information


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Additional Information

Criminal Convictions

Having a criminal conviction, is notnecessarily a bar to employment.However, as a Trust we are exemptfrom the Rehabilitation of OffendersAct and it is vital that you declareany spent or unspent criminalconvictions, cautions, reprimands,warnings or bind-over’s on yourapplication form regardless ofwhen they occurred providing asmuch detail as possible to allow usto make an informed decision onyour application.

Criminal Convictions will beconsidered on an individual basis.Before a decision is made, we will consider the nature of theconviction, the age of the individualat the time of offence, the lengthof time which has elapsed sincethe offense was committed andthe outcome (e.g. Prison sentence,fine etc).

Failure to disclose these details onyour application form will result inthe withdrawal of your applicationfrom the process or dismissal ifinformation is discovered whenyou are in post.

If at any point you are unsure ofwhat information you are beingasked to provide please contactthe Recruitment Team.

Qualifications and ProfessionalRegistration

As part of the recruitment processyou will be asked to produce copiesof all qualifications which arerelevant to the post/application.

If you do not have copies of thesecertificates, they can be obtainedfrom the relevant examinationboard for a small fee.

If the certificates do not matchthose which you have declared onyour original application from youwill be withdrawn from therecruitment process.

If the post which you have appliedfor requires you to be a member ofa professional body such as theHPC you will need to provide proofprior to commencing employmentwith the Trust.

Penalty points on drivinglicence

If you are applying for anoperational post and have pointson your driving licence you mustclearly state this on your applicationform, failure to do so will result inyour application being withdrawnfrom the process. If you have morethan 3 points, you are advised tocontact the Recruitment Teambefore applying for a position toenable a decision to be made.



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Driving Assessment Overview


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Driving Assessment Overview

General Information

Candidates who do not hold theC1 category of driving licence willnot be disadvantaged during thetest, however it would be consideredadvantageous for applicants togain some experience of driving avehicle larger than a saloon carprior to the test, e.g Transit van.

Candidates will need to presenttheir driving license which shouldbe valid and signed prior to takingthe test, if the licence is the newtype both parts will need to beproduced [Card and accompanyingD740 form]

Any penalty points acquired shouldnot exceed 6.

Prior to the test

Candidates will be required toundertake an eye sight test prior tothe drive by reading a licence platefrom a distance of 20.5m [withglasses if worn]

Candidates will be required tocomplete and submit a drivingassessment disclaimer documentwhich confirms eligibility to drive aNHS Trust vehicle with considerationto health and law.

The Test itself

The driving test is not a Departmentof Transport [DofT] assessmentalthough it is similar in design andwill be conducted to test conditions.

The assessment criteria is to identifythe potential for candidates tosuccessfully complete a set 3 weekadvanced driving course with theemphasis placed upon being ableto drive a vehicle under emergencyresponse conditions whilst providingmaximum safety to other road users.

Rectifiable driver faults will notheld against candidates during thetest unless they pose a danger toother road users.

Candidates will also be assessedon their ability to drive the vehiclein a safe and smooth manner andwithin the constraints of roadtraffic law.

The test will be conducted in an ambulance type vehicle,representative of length andwidth. Candidates who only hold a ‘B’ class licence will be legallyentitled to drive these vehicles.

There will be a requirement forcandidates to perform a reversemanoeuvre [unassisted] in to a‘coned’ area simulating anambulance garage bay.

Results and Feedback followingthe assessment

Candidates will be provided withthe results immediately at the endof the test, this will include feedbackregarding any developmentalareas that will be required duringthe driving course or the reasonsfor an unsuccessful outcome.



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Applicant Support


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SEARCHING AND APPLYING FORPOSITIONS

All of our Vacancies are advertisedon-line via www.jobs.nhs.uk

You can also register with the site toenable you to receive email alertswhen a suitable vacancy is placed.

The site is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Below you willfind guidance on how to accessthe Website.

What first?

You will need an email addressthat you regularly access.

An email account can be createdby logging on to the Internetwww.msn.com into the addressfield and creating a hotmailaccount, which can be viewed at any pc with Internet access.

Think about what posts you arelooking for and/or location and/orthe area you are interested inworking.

Make sure you have available your:-

• National Insurance Number

• Work permit details (if applicable)

• Educational Qualifications (details including dates)

• Professional Qualification (details including dates)

• Registration/Pin number (including expiry/renewal dates)

• Details of previous employers (including dates)

• Details of supporting information – look at the personspecification and see how you match this as an applicant.

Next Log onto the Internet

Log onto the Internet and typewww.jobs.nhs.uk into theaddress field.

Go to the third tab on the homepage, click on register with NHSJobs. Complete your name, address,email address. Use a password thatis easy to remember (e.g. a famousname or place). Click on create.

On the next screen enter the jobtitle and/or location and/or salaryand click search. Click on thevacancy title you are interested inand view the details using thelinks to the job description andperson specification etc.

To apply for the vacancy answerany questions shown and clickon ‘apply’ at the bottom of the screen.

In the ‘Apply For’ screen tick thedeclaration box after reading theterms and conditions of usingthe site. Use the drop down boxto specify where you first sawthe vacancy, then click submit.

You are now in the applicationform. You will need to go throughentering information as prompted.Check that you have completedyour application form in full.

At the bottom of the form youcan either: -

• Cancel and leave theapplication form

• Save and go back to it later.

Submit only when you are surethat you have all the details andthe spelling and grammar arecorrect and this will be sentdirect to us.

Due to the high volume ofapplications which we receivefor our vacancies please keepchecking your NHS Jobs accounton a regular basis as initialcorrespondence will be via email.

All contact will made via yourNHS Jobs account therefore it isimportant that you do not removethe job from your applicationssection and check the accountregularly, otherwise you maymiss the opportunity of aninterview/assessment.

Short listing is completed in linewith the person specification forthe role. Therefore, it is importantthat you use the supportinginformation section on theapplication form to demonstratehow you meet each of the criteria.Failure to do so will result inyour application being rejected.



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Interview Overview


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Interview Overview

General Information

If you are successful at short listingstage you will be asked to attend acompetency based interview.

A competency interview is a styleof interviewing used to evaluate acandidate's competence, it cangive valuable insights into anindividual's preferred style ofworking and help predictbehaviours in future situations.

Prior to the interview

You will be asked questions whichwill require you to demonstratethat you have a particular skill or a "key competency" as detailed inthe person specification. You willbe asked to do this by usingsituational examples from your life experiences, to illustrate yourpersonality, skill set and individualcompetencies to the interview panel.

You may also be asked questionswhich will test your knowledge ofthe organisation and the rolewhich you have applied for. Youmay wish to visit our website andread the job description prior toattending your interview.

If you are applying for a job in aparticular area of work, it is a goodidea to find out as much as youcan about the field. For example,look on the internet for news ofrecent developments.

You may wish to make sure youknow how to find your way to theinterview, if you are unsure youcan contact the Recruitment Teamfor further information.

The interview itself

Your interview will last between 45minutes and one hour (excludingany additional tests). All candidateswho have applied for the role willbe asked the same questions.

The interview panel will consist of a minimum of 2 people, one of which will be your line manger if you are successful.

Following the interview questions,the panel will explain the termsand conditions of the role andmake a note of any sickness whichyou may have had over the past toyears and dates of any pre-bookedannual leave. You will then havethe opportunity to ask anyquestions, it may be helpful to writethese down prior to attending.

Following the interview

The panel will confirm your contactdetails with you and will give anindication as to when you are likelyto hear of the outcome. In majorityof circumstances a member of thepanel will contact you to informyou of the outcome of yourinterview. If you are successful, a member of the recruitment teamwill be in touch within a week ofyour interview to arrange a startdate and pre-employment checks.If you have been unsuccessful, youmay like to take the opportunity to receive some feedback toenhance your chances of success in the future.



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Fitness Overview

www.nwas.nhs.uk www.jobs.nhs.ukMAKE A DIFFERENCE

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Fitness Overview

All of our operational roles arephysical demanding as you will be responsible for the safe movingand handling of both patients and equipment.

It is necessary to ensureprospective recruits have sufficientphysical ability to cope withextreme work demands, as andwhen these occur, and to minimiseboth the health and injury risksknown to occur within lowerfitness groups when regularlyengaged in hard physical work.

Therefore, it is recommend thatyou should start and follow aregular programme of fitnesstraining, which should havecommenced some months beforeapplying for positions within theservice to ensure your fitness levelsare to the standard required.

To do this you may considerundertaking any exercise which is continuous, rhythmical andengages any large muscle groups.Activities such as walking, running,cycling, rowing, swimming,aerobics or circuit training areideal and should be brisk andvigorous enough to leave youslightly breathless and to havebroken out into a sweat.

The programme of training shouldbe started at low intensity andgradually progressed over a periodof weeks as your fitness increases.You should aim to complete 3 - 5sessions per week at this intensity,beginning with 15 - 30 minutesand progressing to longer sessionsas your fitness level increases.

You will find, as you progress, you can extend the duration ofyour exercise periods. Alwaysinclude a gradual warm-up beforevigorous exercise and a cool downafter completion.

These should include gentlemobilisation of the muscles andjoints and some stretches forflexibility. You may wish to mixexercise types for variety, andinclude some form of weighttraining for strength improvement.

It is suggested you consult your GP before staring any exerciseprogramme, especially if you havenot engaged in physical activity for some time, are not used toexercise, or suspect any problems(e.g. heart, joint or muscle), thatmay be made worse by exercise.

Do not exercise if you have, or arerecovering from, colds, flu or fever.If you require specific advice abouttypes of exercise, intensity orduration, seek the assistance of a reputable, qualified fitnesstrainer or health club, explainingyour requirements.



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Emergency Medical Technician 1 (EMT1)

Job Purpose

The purpose of the EMT1 role is toassist in the delivery of high qualityand effective pre-hospital clinicalcare and patient transportation ona 24 hour rota. You will respond to999 emergencies, inter-hospitaltransfers and urgent hospitaladmissions.

As part of the role you may berequired to work as a crew or solo,you will initiate appropriate careand effective treatment to patientsin both a hospital and pre-hospitalenvironment, selecting andapplying appropriate skills andequipment safely and within theappropriate level of training,competency and scope of practice.

Training Course

6 weeks theory/practical sessionswithin a specific training centre.

3 weeks advanced driving whichwill equip you with advanceddriving skills to enable you to drive under blue light and normaltraffic conditions.

Entry Requirements

Minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalentqualifications) at Grade C or aboveone of which must be English,Maths or Science related.

You must hold a full and valid EUDriving License (No more than 3endorsement points. In exceptionalcircumstances a maximum of 6points may be considered).

C1 Category entitlement (C1 is notrequired at the application stagebut must be acquired prior tocommencing employment).

Physically fit- able to undertakethe manual handling of patientsand equipment using appropriateequipment.

Recruitment process

• Application stage

• Short listing and invite to assessments

• Assessments include-driving assessment and an interview

• Medical Clearance (including blood testing for HIV/Aids and Hepatitis

• References (covering a 3 year period)

• Criminal Records and ISA check

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BAND 4 (+ an unsociable hour’s payment up to 25%)


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Job Purpose

You will be responsible for handling999 emergency ambulance callsfrom the public and deliveringadvice and guidance to callersregarding medical / traumaconditions and scene safety until a response arrives; utilising allcommunications systems foractivities dealt with by theEmergency Control Centre.

You will also be required to usestate of the art telephony,computer aided dispatch andprioritisation systems.

You will be required to obtain andinput accurate information fromcallers in order to define an incidentcategory, providing a platform forNorth West Ambulance ServiceNHS Trust to prioritise its responseto incidents.

Training Course

Full on the job training will beprovided and an excellent careerstructure is available for futurecareer progression.

Entry Requirements

Educated to GCSE standard (or equivalent qualifications).

Previous experience of workingwithin a call centre environmentwould be advantageous.

Excellent keyboard and computerskills – minimum speed of 30words per minute applicants willbe tested as part of theassessment process.

Possess excellent listening skills.

Computer literate (includingMicrosoft packages).

Recruitment process



• Assessments include-listening test, typing test and an interview

• Medical Clearance

• Reference check covering a 3 year period

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Emergency Medical Dispatchers8




Job Purpose

The purpose of the ACA role is toensure the safe transport and careof patients, between their homesand designated treatment centrebased on an assessment of theirclinical needs. As part of the role youmaybe required to work as part ofa crew or solo to transport patientssafely you may also be required toadminister basic first aid.

Training Course

2 weeks theory/practical sessionswithin a specific training centre.

1 week driving.

Entry Requirements

Proven Level of literacy andnumeracy, which may have beengained through the followingroutes- NVQ, GNVQ, GCSE, Accessor Learn Direct Course.

Previous experience in a patientcare or customer support roleYou must hold a full and valid EUDriving License (No more than 3endorsement points. In exceptionalcircumstances a maximum of 6points may be considered).

Physically fit-able to undertake the manual handling of patients and equipment using appropriateequipment

Recruitment process



• Assessments include-driving assessment and an interview

• Medical Clearance

• References (covering a 3 year period)

• Criminal Records and ISA check

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Ambulance Care Assistant (Planned Care)8

BAND 3


Qualified Paramedic - Direct University Entrant

Job Purpose

As a qualified paramedic you willrespond to critical emergency andurgent situations.

As part of the role you may berequired to work as a crew or by yourself, you will initiateappropriate care and effectivetreatment to patients in both a hospital and pre-hospitalenvironment, selecting andapplying appropriate skills andequipment safely and within theappropriate level of training,competency and scope of practice.

Entry Requirements

Degree or Diploma in ParamedicScience/Practice.

Registered as a Paramedic with theHPC (Health Professions Council).

You must hold a full and valid EU Driving License with a full C1category and no more than 3endorsement points. (In exceptionalcircumstances a maximum of 6points may be considered).

You will be required to acquire theC1 classification on your drivinglicence, NWAS will fund the cost ofthis training and reclaim the coststhrough salary deduction over a 12 month period.

You must be physically fit to enableyou to undertake the manualhandling of patients and equipmentusing appropriate aids.

Recruitment process

An application form needs to be requested from the CentralRecruitment Team, who will sendyour application for short listing. If you are short listed you will beinvited to attend an interview.

If you are successful at interviewyou will need to attend a medicalappointment during which you will be asked to provide a bloodsample, to allow screening forHepatitis C/HIV. In addition youwill be required to complete anenhanced criminal records checkand we will obtain a referencefrom your university along withany other employer which youhave had during the past 3 years.You must have obtained your HPCParamedic registration prior tobeing accepted into employment.

Once all of the above pre-employment checks have beencarried out, we will arrange for you to attend a 2 week corporateinduction and 3 week emergencydriver training course at one of our training centres, followed by a period of local induction and,where applicable, preceptorship

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Job Purpose

The purpose of the car driver role isto transport non-emergency patientsto and from their designatedappointments in a safe, effectiveand efficient manner.

You will be responsible for checkingthat patients have all the necessaryrequirements for their appointmentor discharge, including paperworkand medication if appropriate.

Training Course

Pre-course reading material will be issued in advance and must be read prior to attendance on the course. The course will be 5days in duration followed by oneday operational induction withinthe candidate’s allocated area.Candidates will be expected andencouraged to play an active rolein all aspects of their training.

Entry Requirements

Good General level of education to a minimum of level 1 literacyand numeracy standards. This may include GCSE’s, or equivalent.

You will have a pleasantpersonality, a caring nature, behonest, reliable and have theability to drive in a smooth safemanner demonstrating courtesy topassengers and other road users.

You must hold a full and valid EU Driving License no more than 3 endorsement points. (In exceptional circumstances amaximum of 6 points may beconsidered).

A high standard of personalappearance is required because of the need to portray aprofessional image.

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Car Driver (Planned Care)8

BAND 2

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Central RecruitmentElm HouseBelmont GroveLiverpool L6 4EG

T: 0845 11 22 018E:[email protected]

Useful links

Health Professions Councilhttp://www.hpc-uk.org

British Dyslexia Associationhttp://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

North West Ambulance Servicehttp://www.nwas.nhs.uk

NHS Jobshttp://www.jobs.nhs.uk

NHS Careershttp://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Childcare Vouchershttp://www.fideliti.co.ukhttp://www.childcarevouchers.co.uk

NHS Discountshttp://www.nhsdiscounts.com

NHS Mortgageshttp://www.nhspropertyservices.com/mortgage.asp


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