About this role
Job summary
The Critical Care Transfer Service Operative is responsible for safely transporting critically ill patients between intensive care and other treatment centers. The role involves driving specialist vehicles, including under emergency conditions using blue lights and sirens, while supporting the clinical team with patient care, monitoring and reassurance.
The post holder works alongside trained clinical and transfer team staff, follows relevant London Ambulance Service policies and UK Ambulance Services Clinical Practice Guidelines, and ensures patients are transferred safely, efficiently and with dignity. They are also responsible for vehicle safety and readiness, working collaboratively with NHS colleagues and escalating any unusual or complex situations appropriately.
The role is primarily about driving and safely transferring critical care patients, while also supporting the clinical team and providing appropriate patient care throughout the journey.
Successful applicants will be required to commence the training programme on 19 October 2026. Please only apply if you can commit to this start date, as alternative start dates are not available.
Main duties of the job
You will convey and transfer critical care patients to and from Intensive Critical Care provision in a safe, effective and efficient manner.
You will be responsible for the provision of transport for the Critical Care Transfer Services, (CCTS), undertaking all driving duties including the use of driving under emergency conditions with audible sounds and blue lights.
You will work as a Critical Care Transfer Service Operative alongside anotherOperative or appropriately trained staff member, to convey patients to treatment centresas directed.
You will work closely with CCTS or Transfer Team colleagues to ensure that patient journeys are planned and delivered in the most effective and efficient way.
You will drive all relevant vehicle types operated by the Service as required, in accordance withcurrent road traffic law.
For a full list of duties please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
About us
Our vision is to deliver outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever needed for everyone in London, 24/7, 365 days a year. Our strategy 2023-2028 outlines how we plan to achieve this, and is centred upon three missions focused on:
Our care delivering outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever needed. Our organisation being an increasingly inclusive, well-led and highly skilled organisation people are proud to work for. Our London using our unique pan-London position to contribute to improving the health of the capital.To achieve these three missions we have set ourselves 50 commitments to deliver over the next five years. In developing these ambitious commitments, we have engaged extensively both inside our organisation, with our partners and with our patients, and we have analysed population trends and horizon scanned the future.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will convey and transfer critical care patients to and from Intensive Critical Care provision in a safe, effective and efficient manner.
The post holder will be responsible for the provision of transport for the Critical CareTransfer Services, (CCTS), undertaking all driving duties including the use of driving underemergency conditions with audible sounds and blue lights, and supporting the otherCritical Care Transfer team members in the provision of clinical care, assessment anddiagnosis of critical care patients, in any Intensive critical care unit whilst working with CCTS.
The postholder will work as a Critical Care Transfer Service Operative alongside anotherOperative or appropriately trained staff member, to convey patients to treatment centresas directed by an appropriate registrant (e.g. Transfer Team Duty Consultant, Transferteam Vehicle Consultant or Doctor or Transfer Team Vehicle ICU Nurse) in the provisionof high quality effective clinical care, including the transportation of patients in line with UK Ambulance Services Clinical Practice Guidelines and service policy.
Ensuring the wellbeing of patients in their care from showing empathy and providingreassurance, through to assessing and monitoring patients physical wellbeing. Wherenecessary they will provide medical assistance in line with training provided by the LAS.
Working closely with CCTS or Transfer Team colleagues to ensure that patient journeysare planned and delivered in the most effective and efficient way. Providing assistance toothers when problems or delays occur; putting the patient first and ensuring that they arriveat their destination in a safe and timely fashion. Using initiative to decide when to seekadvice from supervisors or managers where situations are unusual or outside the normalrange of experience. They will work in partnership with all areas of the NHS and otherstakeholders with an interest in Ambulance Services, providing advice and assistance withdue respect and courtesy.
Check allocated vehicles and equipment prior to use, ensuring that they are clean and ready for use, fully equipped, and that all equipment is functioning in accordance with LAS and Transfer Team policies and procedures.
All applicants need to have a current B class driving licence with no more than 3 points, valid in the UK & hold Full C1 status . (Allows you to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes)
https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver/applying-for-a-bus-or-lorry-provisional-entitlement
Please note after submission of your application we will request evidence of qualification and driving license summary.
As part of the supporting statement please answer the following questions
1. Please provide an overview of your driving experience in London or other busy cities.
2. Please explain what you see the role of CCTS operative doing on a daily, shift by shift basis.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Accreditations, Education Essential
Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English or GCSE equivalent (A-C, 4-9) Appropriate level of relevant general education Commitment to successfully undertake and complete the Ambulance First Responder on Scene qualification and Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving
Experience Essential
Demonstrable interpersonal communication and social skills (including non-verbal) Adaptability and flexibility when dealing with others Demonstrable ability to handle stressful/sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy and assertiveness
Desirable
Knowledge of Health and Safety issues
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Ability to undertake manual handling, including lifting and maneuvering of patients and heavy equipment as required. Full current driving licence, valid in the UK, with a maximum of 3 penalty points, these will then be assessed based on the conviction codes to decide if acceptable.
Desirable
Driving experience in London or other large cities Experience of driving large vehicles of C1 category or above
Personal Abilities Desirable
Understanding of the nature of the work involved and the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) Must be able to undertake rotating shifts covering 24 hours a day, including shift changes at short notice in line with the current arrangements. Understand the need for service policies and procedures
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Address Brentford Education Centre
Unit 4 Brentside Business Park
BRENTFORD
Greater London
TW8 9DS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)