Senior Paramedic role at North West Ambulance Service

The roll-out of a clinical leadership model is progressing well at North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS), with the implementation of a senior paramedic tier now nearing completion. The model provides clinical staff with clear career progression, in line with the College of Paramedics career framework and is essential in providing high quality pre-hospital care services for the future.

The service made its vision clear to implement a clinical leadership and supervision structure, some years ago. This process began with the introduction of a consultant paramedic and a team of 36 advanced paramedics. Their role was to focus on clinical care, quality and safety and to provide support and supervision to all frontline clinicians. The trust then developed the model further by conducting a review of clinical band six roles occupied by 256 staff members with a variety of titles; emergency care practitioner, operations supervisor, assistant operations service manager, clinical trainer, team leader and clinical practice supervisor.