Forensic Healthcare Professional - Durham

NHS Jobs; Spennymoor; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs is seeking a Forensic Healthcare Professional to work in Durham, providing clinical assessments and health interventions for detainees in police custody. You will collect forensic samples, document findings, and support custody staff with health guidance to ensure welfare and safety.

The role requires precise record keeping, adherence to police codes and procedures, and the ability to assess fitness for detention, release, and interview, including substance withdrawal evaluation.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering forensic healthcare within custody settings
• Ability to record detailed, contemporaneous notes and manage confidential data
• Provide timely advice to Custody Officers on detainee health needs

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments of detainees in police custody
• Identify and implement appropriate health interventions
• Collect forensic samples as required
• Maintain accurate health records to ensure welfare and safety
• Advise Custody Officers on health priorities and care pathways
• Assess fitness to be detained, released, interviewed, and competence to understand charges

Skills

Forensic assessment

Clinical notes

Custody health support

Fitness to detain/release/interview

Substance withdrawal assessment

Job description

Forensic Healthcare Professional - Durham

Could you identify if a detainee is suffering from a mental health condition? If they are uncooperative or lacking diabetes medication? If they are a substance misuser or suffering from a head injury? Our Forensic HCPS are responsible for assessing and addressing the health needs of detained persons, as well as conducting forensic medical examinations gathering evidence for use in the criminal justice system. Main duties of the job You will be conducting clinical assessments, identifying, and implementing appropriate interventions and collecting forensic samples. Providing advice and guidance to ensure appropriate care is maintained and keeping detailed and accurate records to ensure the health, safety and welfare of detained persons held in police custody. We encourage you to contact us for an informal visit to the custody suite in order to see for yourself how varied and challenging this role can be. Forensic Healthcare Professional Skills and Experience: Effectively deliver the requirements of the forensic practitioner service following the Codes of Practice of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and locally agreed protocols. Keep accurate, complete and contemporaneous notes of work carried out, including the recording of injuries. Provide advice and support to Custody Officers in determining the health care needs of detainees and the priorities of care. Seek telephone advice and refer cases to the Consultant FME when required. Provide a professional, responsive and caring service to detained persons in the custody environment to support the Custody Sergeant and Officers in assessing the healthcare needs of detained persons and an effective care pathway throughout their time in custody. Determine an individuals fitness to be detained, fitness to be released, fitness to be interviewed and competence to understand charge. Assessment of alcohol and drug intoxication and withdrawal.