Forensic Healthcare Practitioner in Gillingham

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to undertake the role of Forensic Healthcare Practitioner based at Medway Police Station, on a 1 year fixed contract covering maternity leave.

The successful applicant will be a registered General Nurse or Paramedic, holding a current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years post registration experience and a competency level equivalent to 'pay band 6' in the Health Service. They will also be assessed as competent to practice autonomously and able to work without supervision.

A background in a specialism such as Emergency Department, or acute medical setting with an understanding of illicit drugs, mental health or other relevant discipline would also be desirable.

The post holder must be competent to issue medication in line with the Patient Group Directive and as part of this will have a sound working knowledge of drugs and their applications as well as the relevant legislation.

You will need to have good information gathering skills, problem solving and a high level of clinical decision-making skills to enable you to determine whether or not a person with medical, mental, drug or alcohol issues is fit to be detained or interviewed.

The role requires the collection of Forensic Samples which include Venous blood, therefore a certificate in Phlebotomy and cannulation is essential. You must have excellent communication skills, combined with the ability to quickly build a rapport with individuals under sometimes difficult or confrontational circumstances, showing discretion, tact and diplomacy at all times.

Good organising and time management skills, an eye for detail and the ability to effectively share knowledge and promote understanding of health issues are also vital to the role. You will also need to be competent in the use of IT, particularly Microsoft Office products and email.

You must be able to maintain professional detachment and be comfortable working in a role where you are required to be supportive to the individual whilst working in an enforcement environment. This may mean you will be required to share information, within the appropriate bounds of confidentiality that may lead to action being taken against the individual in line with the force’s core business.

You will be required to attend the custody suites in a number of policing areas as well as other external sites such as hospitals and therefore be required to drive an unmarked / marked police vehicle, hence a full manual driving licence is essential.

This role operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week shift pattern that covers days and night working. You will be provided with a two-week induction-training programme prior to commencement. This will equip you with the specialised skills needed to perform the role within a law enforcement environment.

If you require any further information on the role, please contact Chrissie Farren on 07528 989365.

Closing date: 6 March 2026.

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however, please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status. Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK, you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

• Full manual driving licence
• Considerable experience in the field of building services
• 3-year post registration experience
• Statutory compliance experience
• Phlebotomy & cannulation
• Demonstrate autonomous working

• Acute setting experience i.e., Accident & Emergency
• Relevant clinical experience
• Sound knowledge of Patient Group Directives

To apply, please click the Apply button.