Job overview

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is looking for additional doctors to work as part of the Somerset Ambulance Doctor Service. This is a varied and unique role providing care to the full spectrum of patients on the ambulance worklist via the use of a number of rapid response vehicles (RRVs). We visit complex cases and provide senior, experienced care which often results in the avoidance of an admission. Additionally, we run a senior advice line available to all ambulance crews in Somerset, providing insightful, consultant-level advice with the ability to visit the patient if required.

Main duties of the job

Key aspects of the role will include:

• Face to face consultations directly with patients, relatives and/or their carers; usually at 
home or in a care facility
• Providing risk-based patient focused care with an emphasis on pragmatism and uncertainty 
management
• Responding to significant incidents (Category 1 calls) if nearby
• Engaging with the wider ambulance service to provide consultant level support to all 
members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Undertaking appropriate prescribing
• Using point of care diagnostics to support decision making
• Onward referral of patients as appropriate 
• Engagement with the service’s auditing processes
• Contribution to the development of the service by attendance at CPD events where possible

Working for our organisation

Working for us is an experience like no other.  We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.  

At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits

• Competitive NHS salary
• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
• Staff networks
• Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK