Sort Paramedics in Alba, Scotland

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

North SORT - Aberdeen or Dundee AfC Band 6, £41,608 to £50,702 per annum plus unsocial allowance.

The National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) are currently seeking applications from enthusiastic, flexible and motivated individuals with a genuine interest in developing new skills for positions as Paramedics within the full time Special Operations Response Teams. The purpose of SORT is to save life, increase survival, improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient and staff safety through the provision of specialist paramedical care. SORT has been trained and equipped to extend the reach of the NHS into challenging and high-risk environments.

To provide direct access to patients, undertake clinical assessment, triage, initial treatment and extrication whilst operating in circumstances where no other responding agency is able to provide clinical care and no other professional health care intervention is available, and so ensure a smooth transition for patients from the point of injury into wider NHS care. The Teams also attend around **** emergency calls annually.

The Role

SORT Paramedics must be HCPC registered with a minimum of 2 years post registration and must have fully completed the NQP process (if applicable) at the close of application. Demonstrate significant frontline experience and maintain a high level of clinical competency. Additional duties include support to multi agency operations and potential major incidents.

SORT paramedics are also required to undertake the following operational duties as part of their role:

• Hazardous materials
• CBRN
• MTA
• Safe working at height
• Confined Space
• Unstable terrain
• Water operations
• Support to security operations (Tactical medical operations e.g. Firearms)

All SORT posts are also required to undertake additional organisational support duties, which include crewing the SORT Response Units (SRUs). SORT personnel must also undertake continual specialist training to maintain their skills.

The Person

For these posts we are looking for flexible individuals with a can-do approach who have excellent people skills. You will have developed communication skills, both oral and written. It is vitally important that you are able to demonstrate the ability to work to a high standard using your own initiative and be able to work alongside other Paramedics and often the initial wider operational response to incidents on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Applications for the SORT Paramedic positions are invited from HCPC registered Paramedics with a minimum of 2 years post registration and must have fully completed the NQP process (if applicable) at the close of application. Previous experience of SORT / CBRN / NBC operations would be advantageous, but not essential, as comprehensive training will be given.

Important - please note:

Appointments to SORT are made on the understanding that individuals attend and successfully complete the Special Operations Ambulance Response (SOAR) course, CBRNe Responder Course, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Course, NxGen CBRN PPE Course, Incident Response Unit Course, Support to police tactical firearms operations, ATV course, Safe Working at Heights/Confined space and unstable terrain courses, Swift Water rescue technician course. The Special Operations Ambulance Response (SOAR) course is Level 6 Certificate (Scottish equivalent Level 9) qualification encompassing all the listed courses plus some additional activity. Currently valued at 30 academic points. Approved by UK OFQUAL. A follow-on diploma is currently under development to add an additional 30 points (60 in total). It will involve some academic writing, but students will be fully supported during the process. This will give candidates an educationally ratified qualification in SOAR response. Although the qualification is internationally recognised it is currently unique to NRRD / SORT and our education partner QualSafe UK. This is currently not available via any other route.

The above courses require you to reach and maintain a minimum standard of fitness for which assessments will be carried out on an annual basis. This includes maintaining the minimum and maximum weight requirements of 60kg to 120kg for PPE. SORT personnel must also achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) level security clearance. Maintenance of these skills is a pre-requisite for continued employment within SORT.

Application and Selection

Please note that due to operational limitations, applications cannot be considered from persons that fall out with the height range of 160cm – 200cm, or the Scottish Ambulance Services upper safe working limit for staff wearing PPE of 120kg and lower limit of 60kg, this includes a minimum footwear size of 5 and a maximum of 14. There will be a requirement to undertake and pass the SORT Paramedic Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) and swim test, details of which are attached. Undertake a clinical OSCE, a written task, and a competency-based interview. In addition to the usual pre-employment checks, as this role requires you to deal with sensitive information, you will be required to undergo additional security vetting. Please note shortlisted candidates should be available for the PCA process on the dates 13th to the 15th of March **** and this will be held at East SORT Newbridge. Successful candidates will choose an interview slot at the end of the day.