HART Paramedic - Ashford | South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Ashford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service is seeking experienced HART Operatives or HCPC Registered Paramedics for the Ashford Operating Unit. These roles involve responding to specialized incidents, maintaining physical fitness, and attending rigorous assessments. Qualified candidates need a valid UK driving license and should be prepared for nationwide deployment as part of an emergency response team. Competitive training provided with ongoing requirements for role maintenance.

Qualifications

• Qualified paramedic with a minimum of 2 years experience at band 6.
• Driving license valid within the UK including C1 category or equivalent.
• UK HCPC registered Paramedic.

Responsibilities

• Respond to incidents requiring complex rescue procedures.
• Maintain physical fitness and weight limits for PPE.
• Attend assessments and training sessions as required.

Skills

Clinical Skills

Swimming

Physical Fitness

Education

IHCD Paramedic Award or equivalent

BTECH Level 4

BSc, DipHE, FdSc

Job description

Role Overview

Would you like to use your clinical skills in the most challenging of environments?

HART in SECAmb are seeking candidates for the Ashford Operating Unit who are either currently operating as Experienced HART Operatives or HCPC Registered Paramedics in an A+E ambulance setting.

HART is a continuing national initiative led by the Department of Health, which enables clinical care to be delivered in areas previously inaccessible to the ambulance service. As such, HART Operatives respond to potential incidents of a Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) and Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) nature; structural/trench collapse, major transportation incidents, incidents requiring working at height, confined space, and rescue incidents involving complex entrapment.

The team may also be called upon to provide specialist clinical support and knowledge within a Search and Rescue (USAR) environment. All operatives are required to attain Swift Water Rescue Technician (SRT) status, which involves working in flooded areas, significant moving water and in difficult environments.

On duty operatives must be able to deploy to any location nationwide, with no notice, for periods of 36 hrs or more. All operatives must also be able to deploy as part of an Ambulance Intervention Team. In addition to specific HART‑related work, Operatives will respond as an operational resource to meet the needs of the Trust.

Qualifications

You must be a qualified paramedic with one of the following qualifications: IHCD Paramedic Award, BTECH Level 4, BSc, DipHE or FdSc, to train as a HART Operative.

• Band 6 experienced Paramedic with a minimum of 2 years (24 months) experience at band 6.
• Are available for all mandated course dates.
• Have a driving licence valid within the UK, including C1 category or equivalent.
• UK HCPC registered Paramedic.

Physical & Training Requirements

To apply you must have a good level of physical fitness, weigh under 124 kg and over 50 kg (in HART PPE approx. 7 kg), and be capable of swimming a minimum of 200 m. Initial training lasts 11 weeks and consists mainly of residential courses. You will also be required to be available to respond, at no notice, to incidents nationwide for up to 48 hours.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of:

• Physical Competence Assessment (PCA): (HART PCA tests are carried out on both land and in water and have been designed to replicate a number of the physical demands required to operate as a HART Paramedic.)
• Confined space / height confidence assessment.
• Clinical assessment.
• Swimming assessment (200 m swim / 10 min tread water / duck dive).
• Specialist Occupational Health Assessment (including eye, hearing, lung function, grip / back strength testing).
• Interview.

Assessment Details

If you are shortlisted you must attend an assessment in Ashford for the first stage, including swim, clinical and confidence assessments.

If successful you will be invited to the PCA test and interview.

To confirm this assessment is for vacancies in Ashford only, assessment dates are Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December in Ashford. (NO further dates available).

Drop‑in session. Observer shifts can be arranged at the respective HART sites prior to assessment (this is strongly encouraged).

Ongoing Requirements

All HART Operatives must maintain specific weight limits for PPE and pass a PCA every six months. They also need to stay updated in HART disciplines through ongoing training. Failing this could mean a return to standard A&E operations.

To secure a position, candidates must complete various training courses and pass the assessments.

Additional Information

More about HART is available on the Zone or NARU websites.

Current SECAmb employees moving into this role will shift to the new terms and conditions. Payments for unsocial hours will follow the Section 2 agreement. Claims should be made via the monthly timesheet. Further details are in the Agenda for Change handbook.

Please note that we also provide application forms in large print or other formats. Please contact [e-mail] to request.

This advert closes on Tuesday 25 Nov 2025.