Job Overview
An opportunity has arisen for people to join the Hazardous Area Response Team Operatives ( and Candidate Pool) at Mansfield, Notts.
Looking for a new and exciting challenge? EMAS NHS Trust are seeking enthusiastic and motivated staff to join their Hazard Area Response Team (HART) appointable candidate pool. HART is a continuing national initiative led by NHS England, which enables clinical care to be delivered in areas previously inaccessible to the Ambulance Service. This pool will be used to fill vacancies across the following 12 months when opportunities arise.
The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Is a Team Of Staff Recruited And Trained Specifically To Operate Within The Inner Cordon At An Incident ("hot Zone") Or In Hazardous Environments. "Hot Zone" Is Defined As
The Hot Zone is an area within the Inner Cordon where high concentrations of a substance are present and specific procedures and protocols, including Dynamic Risk Assessments, controlled access and egress and the wearing of appropriate levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are required. Dependent on the type and nature of the hazard this area may contain live casualties who will need to be treated and prioritised for decontamination and evacuation" (National HART Work Standard Operating Procedures).
Main duties of the job
Successful applicants will receive the relevant training to be compliant the full range of HART capabilities.
HART Operatives are expected to be able to work in highly pressurised environments. Appropriate training, equipment and Personal Protective Equipment will be provided to mitigate against any risks, but the role requires strong mental and physical resilience
You must be a Registered Paramedic with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and have successfully completed an approved paramedic process with two years post registration experience in a frontline ambulance role. If you have completed the NQP Pathway, this should be over a 2-year period obtaining experience in clinical practice, or less if progressed through the national fast track programme.
It will be necessary to demonstrate competence in team working, self-discipline, communication skills, adaptability, planning skills and decision making.
Due to the nature of the work and the constraints of the personal protective equipment, including gas-tight suits and extended duration breathing apparatus, a more stringent medical standard must be met via occupational health.
All aspects of the recruitment and selection process must be successfully completed. Applications will be shortlisted against the requirements of the role. Those taken forward will be subject to an optical assessment, occupational health medical, physical fitness assessment, clinical assessment, team working observations and DBS check.
Working for our organisation
The EMAS Hazardous Area Response Team consist of 48 Paramedics trained and equipped to respond to patients within risk areas. The Unit is split into 6 teams of 7 HART Operatives with a Team Leader responsible for each team. This ensures we are able to maintain cover 24 hours a day.
The Selection Process Will Consist Of
STAGE ONE
Shortlisting of applications
STAGE TWO - You must be available to attend on both 18 and 19 March 2026
To ensure you are capable and comfortable working in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and environments encountered during HART deployments we will put you through a series of scenarios over a two-day assessment programme. You will also undertake various clinical assessments.
You must successfully complete all elements of Day 1 to be invited to Day 2.
The Assessments Include
Physical Competence Assessment (PCA)Swimming AssessmentClinical Assessment paperTrauma/Advanced Life Support assessmentConfined Space/tunnel crawlBreathing Apparatus appreciation wearWorking at height confidence assessmentTeam based observation
STAGE THREE - You must be available to attend on 25 March 2026
Team based clinical assessment
STAGE FOUR
Specialist Occupational Health Assessment (including Respiratory, Sight and Hearing etc).Pre employment checks including references, DBS and qualificationsSuccessful completion of 6 weeks residential training – Please note you must be available to attend 6 consecutive weeks at the start of your employment
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Provide immediate health input to the initial assessment of the scene to meet the needs of Ambulance and Health Services, including casualty confirmation and management.
To provide specialist clinical support and knowledge within HAZMAT/CBRN, unstable terrain, at height or in/near water.
Actively support and work with other members of the team undertaking those tasks allocated by the HART Team Leader, or Incident Commander.
Be prepared to respond to national incidents, with the possibility of being away for unknown periods of time.
Direct, coordinate and deliver lifesaving clinical care for patients within the inner cordon including triage, diagnosis, appropriate treatment, prior to, and during, decontamination and in situations of difficult access, unstable terrain or confined spaces, at times being the only clinician in situ and deliver casualties into mainstream healthcare.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
HCPC registered Paramedic
Desirable criteria
ALS, PHTLS, PHEC or other advanced clinical courses (evidence of CPD)
Skills
Essential criteria
UK Driving License which must include category C1. No more than 3 points
Experience
Essential criteria
Minimum of 2 years post registration operational experience and completion of NQP period
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
Currently qualified as CBRN Decontamination Team Operative (Experience of CBRN / MTA related role (i.e. SORT)