Technical Crew Member

Helicopter Jobs; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual increments

Discretionary bonus scheme

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Training and development

Blue Light Card access

Employee Assistance Programme

Contributory pension

Job summary

Yorkshire Air Ambulance invites applications for a Technical Crew Member / Emergency Care Assistant. The role includes assisting pilots, managing safety during take‑off and landing, and providing patient care in pre‑hospital settings.

You will work under senior crew and participate in simulator training, with exposure to high‑trauma cases and fast‑paced operations. Essential requirements include AAP qualification, fluent English, a valid driving licence, and right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Essential AAP qualification.
• Fluent English communication.
• Valid driving licence and passport.
• Right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Assist the pilot in HEMS operations and safety checks.
• Provide patient care in a pre-hospital setting as required.
• Maintain equipment and aircraft readiness for deployment.
• Support CRM and effective communication in fast‑moving environments.

Skills

AAP qualification

Fluent English

Driving licence

Passport

Right to work in UK

Job description

Technical Crew Member & Emergency Care Assistant

Location: Nostell: Southern Air Support Unit, Foulby near Wakefield, with infrequent duties from RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk.

Hours: At Nostell, it is either a variable nine/ten hours shift to cover the operational period between 07:00 and 01:00, Monday To Friday, or a 12 hours shift between 09:00 and 21:00 at the weekend. Occasional variations to this pattern may be requested, but duty time will never be more than as permitted under the approved Flight Time Limitations (FTL) scheme.

Salary: £30,725 starting salary with annual pay increases

Closing Date: Monday 9th of November at 5 pm

Do you want to feel as though you are helping to save lives every day? When working for YAA as a Technical Crew Member/Emergency Care Assistant, that is exactly what you will be doing!

At Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), our helicopters are ready to respond to emergencies across Yorkshire – thanks to the generosity of the public and the dedication of our team.

About the Role

We are seeking to recruit one Technical Crew Member (TCM) on our helicopters as part of our pre-hospital critical care service. The TCM will, under the direction of our Senior TCM and Chief Pilot, be responsible for assisting the pilot of one of our air ambulance helicopters employed in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) role. Their primary duty will be to sit in the cockpit both by day and by night.

You will help to ensure the safety and performance of the helicopter, particularly during the take‑off, transit, approach, and landing phases by assisting the pilot in the choice of a suitable landing site and by providing assistance with checklists and procedures. Before, during and after flight, you will be accountable to the aircraft commander for the safety and conduct of passengers and patients, stretcher and medical equipment. You will also be asked to assist with patient care in your position as ECA. This role is likely to involve regular exposure to patients who have suffered serious trauma, which is why previous experience as an AAP is essential.

Primary Role: TCM duties in accordance with the YAA Operations Manual

• Duties in the HEMS Technical Crew Member (TCM) role include navigation, map reading & the principles of navigation aids and annual participation in simulator training exercises.
• Use of NVIS (Night Vision) systems, including the Trakka Searchlight and Night Vision Goggles.
• Operation of radio equipment and helicopter inter-communications systems.
• Use of on-board medical equipment.
• Preparing the helicopter and specialist medical equipment for HEMS departure.
• In-flight procedures such as: instrument reading, warnings, use of normal and emergency checklists, and assistance to the pilot as required.
• Basic understanding of the helicopter type in terms of location and design of all normal and emergency systems and equipment.
• Crew cooperation and the concept of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Human Factors.
• Response to a HEMS callout.
• Helicopter refuelling procedures.
• The selection and use of a HEMS operation site.
• Handling patients, assisting medical staff with medical equipment, and first aid skills.
• Aircraft Marshalling signals.
• Make others aware of the dangers of rotor-running helicopters, especially when loading patients (includes crowd control at an incident)
• Understanding the despatch criteria and legislation for HEMS and air ambulance flights.
• Assistance with maintaining the base to a high standard of cleanliness and operational effectiveness under the direction of the Chief Pilot, and cleaning the aircraft and its equipment in line with the current guidance.
• Required to carry out annual physical competency assessments.
• You may, on occasion, be required to carry out duties of a different nature either in addition to, or instead of, your normal duties. You will not be assigned duties or asked to perform services which are believed to be unreasonable or that you cannot reasonably perform, or which are inconsistent with the position you hold.

Secondary Role: Emergency Care Assistant Duties

• To assist a qualified practitioner in the delivery of high‑quality and effective clinical and personal care and the transportation of patients, selecting and applying appropriate equipment and skills in line with the scope of practice, training prospectus and associated training.
• To carry out allocated operational duties commensurate with the role and responsibilities, supporting the provision of clinical, social and holistic care to patients in a pre‑hospital environment, safely and within appropriate level of training and competency.
• Maintain a competent working knowledge of all medical and life support equipment carried on the helicopter, appropriate to the required skill level and scope of practice.
• Maintain competence in assisting a qualified practitioner in the use of appropriate equipment in line with the scope of practice and associated training.
• Ensure that all procedures used within the scope of practice are consistent with and promote good infection control.
• Ensure that required equipment is stored, transported, and cared for so that they are always in good working order.
• Comply with basic scene safety checks and the associated basic risk assessments, working with the aircraft commander, other healthcare, or emergency services staff.
• Support qualified practitioners as directed in the provision of high‑quality care.
• Be flexible in attitude to meet the constantly changing nature of care and service delivery
• Be smart in appearance and courteous at all times to convey a high level of confidence to the public.
• Work with others and use available equipment to ensure the safe manual handling and movement of patients.
• Exercise high levels of courtesy and communication with patients and the public to ensure that clear information is conveyed, always maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Clean and maintain proper care of any equipment, aircraft and uniform provided by the Charity in accordance with current infection control procedures.
• Take responsibility for patients’ money, valuables, and property whilst they are in the care of the Air Ambulance.
• Undertake learning to ensure that own knowledge and skills are maintained at the required level.
• Be aware of scenarios that may cause distress and discomfort whilst attending an accident/incident, whilst working with your colleagues to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, through the recognition of symptoms and utilisation of trauma counselling on the unit.

Because of the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provision (42) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) order 1975.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Comfortable in the Helicopter or fast‑moving Low‑Level Environment (air/motion sickness not being an issue).
• Already qualified as an Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP)
• Physical fitness for the role will be assessed as part of the application process and as part of an annual check, as this role includes lifting and walking across rough terrain carrying equipment. You will be able to achieve level 6 on the 20m multistage fitness test, carry a medical bag 100m, and carry a 20kg kettlebell 100m.
• Lives in, or prepared to relocate to, the Yorkshire region as travel expenses will not be paid to work base and shift pattern will mean early starts and late finishes.
• Professional & punctual.
• Ability to digest technical information both verbally and from manuals in order to act within strict aviation & medical practices.
• Comfortable working in fast‑moving, decision‑intensive situations.
• Fluent English, driving licence, passport, and right to work in the UK.
• It is an expectation that you will participate in filming and photography for promotional and educational content for YAA, Production Teams and other outlets as necessary therefore you must be comfortable with doing this.

Desirable

• CAA Light Aircraft Pilot’s License Medical.
• Navigation or map‑reading skills.
• Previous experience in a similar role. (e.g. Ex-Military Helicopter Crew Member, Night Vision (NVIS) experience, Air Ambulance, Aerial Surveying, Aerial photography).

What We Offer

• Starting salary of £30,725 with annual increments for first 5 years
• Discretionary annual staff bonus scheme based on the Charity’s financial performance.
• 25 days paid holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays.
• Regular team building days.
• Commitment to training and personal development for all staff, including access to short online training sessions.
• Eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card, gaining discounts at 100s of businesses.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme covering Financial, Mental and Physical Wellbeing.
• Contributory pension scheme (contributions matched by the Charity up to 8% and annual pensions advice).
• Life Assurance/Death in Service provided by YAA.

The successful applicant will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.

Interview date for this role is TBC.