At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead emergency planning and resilience efforts for a major NHS Trust.
- Company: Join University Hospitals Dorset, a forward-thinking healthcare provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across the region.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by ensuring safety and preparedness.
- Qualifications: Experience in emergency planning and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 66582 - 77368 £ per year.
Join one of the South Coast's most ambitious acute Trusts, delivering care across three hospital sites for a population of over 750,000. With major clinical transformation underway and a £500m investment programme, this is an exciting opportunity to shape resilience at the heart of our organisation.
EPRR plays a critical role in ensuring we are prepared to respond to any challenge. As Head of EPRR you will:
- Provide strategic leadership for EPRR, ensuring the Trust meets its statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and NHS EPRR guidance.
- Drive continuous improvement in preparedness, resilience, business continuity and incident response.
- Work with system partners across Dorset to strengthen planning and resilience.
- Act as the Trust's lead expert and principal adviser on EPRR.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead across planning, training, exercising, response, recovery and assurance, embedding learning from incidents to keep the Trust resilient and ready to deliver safe care.
Main duties of the job:
- Provide specialist advice and support to Executive Directors, Senior Managers, Clinical and Operational Leaders and other staff who have a role in incident response, emergency preparedness or business continuity arrangements.
- Work closely with internal teams and external partners, including NHS Dorset, local authorities, emergency services and regional NHS England colleagues, to support joined-up planning and response across Dorset and the wider South West.
About us:
At University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, our values guide the way we work with patients, colleagues and partners:
- We are caring - we treat people with kindness, compassion and respect.
- We are one team - we work together, listen to each other and support our colleagues and partners.
- We are always improving - we learn, innovate and continually improve the services we provide.
We are committed to helping colleagues balance their work and home lives. We offer a range of benefits, development opportunities and health and wellbeing support to help our staff thrive. We are committed to inclusion, staff engagement and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and able to contribute.
University Hospitals Dorset is committed to sustainability and to reducing the environmental impact of the services we provide. Staff are encouraged to support sustainable quality improvement across all areas of work.
Details:
- Date posted: 03 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8b
- Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 153-CO06551
- Job locations: University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation trust, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH7 7DW, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities:
- Act as the primary resource and point of contact for EPRR expertise for the organisation using evidence and knowledge to support accurate decision making and advice.
- Ensure that the organisation meets its statutory obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, (CCA), and complies with all relevant EPRR guidance for the NHS.
- Maintain a robust decontamination plan and arrangements, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) and HAZMAT preparedness.
- Provide risk based leadership to EPRR work, being cognisant of national, regional and local priorities.
- Develop and deliver the organisations emergency preparedness and resilience function.
- Ensure that EPRR corporate responsibilities are met and provide assurance to the Board of Directors.
- Lead the development and implementation of EPRR delivery plans.
- Ensure appropriate Trust level representation at local health resilience partnership (LHRP) local resilience fora (LRF).
- Attend national and local events or conferences, as required.
- Be a source of expertise for emergency planning, maintaining an appropriate database of incidents.
- Conduct an annual review of major incident and business continuity plans.
- Deliver service objectives in relation to business continuity or major incident.
- Support the identification and sharing of best practice in EPRR to support service improvement.
Person Specification:
- Essential: First degree or has appropriate level of senior managerial experience.
- Essential: Emergency Planning and / or Business Continuity Qualification.
- Essential: Relevant specialist training in emergency preparedness, resilience and response.
- Desirable: Experience of managing EPRR compliance submissions.
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.
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.
Head of Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response
✨Get Some Hands-On Experience
If you're looking to land that full-time gig in emergency medical services, don't underestimate the power of hands-on experience! Volunteering with local ambulance services or first aid organisations can give you a great insight into the field and show potential employers you’re dedicated.
✨Connect with EMS Communities
Join local EMS associations or online groups where professionals chat about job opportunities and trends. These communities are goldmines for networking, and you might just overhear about openings at places like National health service that aren't even advertised yet!
✨Showcase Your Skills Through Certifications
Make sure you’re up to date with your certifications—CPR, first aid, and any relevant EMS training. Having these on your CV or mentioned in interviews can really set you apart from the crowd when applying for that full-time role.
✨Leverage Local Job Fairs
Don’t forget about job fairs, especially those focused on healthcare and emergency services. These events are perfect for meeting representatives from companies like National health service face-to-face and making a lasting impression. Plus, they often have a ton of insider info about the hiring process!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Certifications:In the emergency medical services world, certifications like EMT or Paramedic are crucial. Make sure to prominently display any relevant qualifications on your CV to show you’re qualified and ready to jump in.
Showcase Your Experience in High-Pressure Situations:This isn’t just about ticking boxes; we want to see how you’ve handled emergencies. Share specific examples from your past roles, focusing on your ability to stay calm and effective under pressure—this will really make your CV stand out!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for EMS. Share a brief story about why you got into this field and what drives you. This personal touch helps us connect with you beyond just your qualifications.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Being part of an EMS team means communication is key. Highlight your experiences working in teams, especially in stressful environments, and how you effectively communicate with both your team and patients. This will show us you can thrive in our fast-paced world.
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Brush Up on Your Medical Knowledge
As we're stepping into the emergency medical services world, it's crucial to have a solid grasp on medical protocols and procedures. Expect to face scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills in high-pressure situations, so reviewing your medical textbooks or guidelines might just give you the edge!
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
In EMS, teamwork and communication can literally save lives. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated in past settings or during training exercises. They might throw in questions about managing stressful interactions with patients or colleagues, so highlighting your soft skills could really set you apart.
✨Familiarise Yourself With Local Protocols
Since you'll be serving the community, knowing the specific EMS protocols and guidelines of National health service is key. Research their operations and any recent changes they might have implemented. Demonstrating that you're well-informed about local practices shows your commitment and readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Don't be surprised if your full-time interview includes a hands-on assessment. Practising skills like CPR, patient assessment, and using EMS technology will show you're ready for the rigours of the job. So gather your training materials and maybe even practice with a mate to simulate the scenario-based tests you might encounter.
