SAR Technical Crew Cadet in Downpatrick

Our Strategic Plan identifies a key requirement for on-going recruitment and training of ab-initio Technical Crew Cadets (Advanced Paramedics) to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery to our customer the Irish Coast Guard. Bristow Ireland 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 Ireland is committed to providing an innovative training and development package to bring you into front-line Search & Rescue.

The SAR Technical Crew (Advanced 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 and Clinical Governance Manuals
• 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 their Bristow Ireland privileged scope of practice
• Operate the Mission Management System and technical mission equipment as required
• Lead and/or assist medical stakeholders in pre-hospital emergency care as part of a multi-agency team
• Demonstrate excellent Crew Resource Management and communication to facilitate successful SAR and HEMS Missions
• Ensure that good physical condition is maintained at all times
• Participate in the pre-flight brief and post-flight debrief

Commit to life-long learning by meeting and exceeding company and regulator CPD/CPC requirements. Work location will be as required during training with longer term opportunities to work at any of the following bases – Weston, Shannon, Waterford and Sligo. 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 base.

Reporting to the Technical Crew Manager during training and Base Chief Crewman 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.

Internal: Technical Crew Manager, Chief Crewman, Senior Advanced Paramedic, Technical Crew Instructional and examination staff, Base Clinical Leads.

External: Acute Hospitals, Care Networks, Ambulance Service, Fire Service, MRTs, RNLI, An Garda Siochana, FRS, Coastguard.

Operating from any of our Irish bases we expect our SAR Technical Crew 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 in the most demanding environments.

• Right to permanently live and work in Ireland
• PHECC registered Advanced Paramedic
• Full EU driving licence
• Availability to commence employment in February 2026

• You must have passed your Leaving Certificate (6 subjects) or equivalent
• Minimum Leaving Certificate Grades:
• O5 grades in English and Mathematics at ordinary level or H6 at higher
• 2 higher level subjects with a minimum of H5 grades in the Leaving Certificate
• Current passport holder
• Ability to hold EASA Class 2 medical

• 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/CPC requirements and act on those identified by your peers and supervisors
• 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 using 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.

Any questions contact conor.dunne@bristowgroup.com

Closing Date : 14th November 2025