Forensic Custody Nurse or Paramedic

Mountain Healthcare is one of the UK’s leading providers of forensic custody healthcare. Working in partnership with the police, and wider criminal justice agencies, we deliver high quality care to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. We are proud to be guided by our core values of Being Kind and Doing the Right Thing.

We are now recruiting Forensic Custody Healthcare Professionals (RGNs and Paramedics) to deliver specialist healthcare within police custody. This is a rare opportunity to step into a respected forensic role where no two shifts are the same, no custody experience is required as full accredited training is provided. Your clinical decisions will directly support detainee welfare, safeguarding, and the wider criminal justice process.

If you’re an experienced clinician with at least three years' experience in an acute setting who enjoys independent decision making, fast paced assessments, and meaningful work that genuinely makes a difference, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

Are you a Registered Nurse or Paramedic ready for a clinical role with real autonomy, variety and impact beyond a traditional ward or ambulance setting?

At Mountain Healthcare, our Forensic Custody Healthcare Professionals provide essential care to people detained in police custody, many of whom are vulnerable, unwell or in crisis. Working in partnership with the police, NHS and wider criminal justice agencies, you will use your clinical judgement to support detainee welfare, safeguarding and safe decision-making.

No forensic or custody experience is needed. We provide full accredited training and support to help you develop into this specialist role.

This is a unique opportunity to develop specialist skills in forensic healthcare, safeguarding, emergency care and criminal justice healthcare, while making a real difference to vulnerable people.

Join Mountain Healthcare and build a career where your skills and decisions truly matter.

This is a unique opportunity to develop specialist skills in forensic healthcare, safeguarding, emergency care and criminal justice healthcare, while making a real difference to vulnerable people.

Apply today and take your clinical career beyond the traditional ward or ambulance setting.

Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Westmorland and Furness, LA14 2UE
Address: Andrews Way,
Country: GB
Contract: PERMANENT
Employment type: FULL_TIME
Remote status: ON_SITE
Department: Medical and Nursing
Salary minimum: 19.6
Salary maximum: 19.6
Salary period: hour
Salary currency: GBP

Job Description
As a Forensic Custody Healthcare Professional, you will work autonomously within police custody suites, assessing and caring for detainees with a wide range of physical health, mental health, substance misuse and vulnerability-related needs.

This is a specialist clinical role where no two shifts are the same. You will assess fitness for detention, interview, charge and release; respond to acute medical episodes; provide healthcare advice; support safeguarding decisions; and work closely with custody teams, police officers and partner agencies.

You will also be trained to carry out forensic and evidential duties, including collecting and preserving forensic samples, documenting injuries and maintaining accurate clinical and evidential records that meet legal and professional standards.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments to determine fitness for detention, interview, charge and release, including capacity assessments.
• Manage medical emergencies, treat injuries and provide healthcare advice in a fast-paced custody environment.
• Support detainees with mental health needs, substance misuse, alcohol dependency and complex vulnerabilities.
• Collect, preserve and document forensic samples in line with evidential and legal standards.
• Produce accurate clinical and evidential records, including injury documentation.
• Liaise with police, custody teams, NHS services and other agencies to support safe onward care.
• Attend hospital blood procedures under the Road Traffic Act.
• Prepare professional statements and attend court as an impartial healthcare witness when required.

Requirements
What we’re looking for:

• Registered General Nurse with current NMC registration, or Paramedic with current HCPC registration.
• At least three years’ post-qualification experience in an acute or relevant setting, such as frontline ambulance, A&E, prison, custody or urgent care.
• Strong assessment, communication and decision-making skills, with confidence working autonomously.
• A calm, professional and compassionate approach with vulnerable people, including those who may be distressed, intoxicated or experiencing acute mental health symptoms.
• Full UK driving licence with fewer than six penalty points.
• Ability to complete enhanced DBS clearance and police vetting.
• Full right to work in the UK and a minimum of three years’ UK residency prior to application.
• Willingness to complete externally accredited forensic training within the first year of employment.

Working pattern and location

• Full-time employees are contracted to 42 hours per week.
• Part-time 21 hours per week.
• The main place of work will be Barrow & Kendal Custody Suite.

What we offer:

• A joining bonus of up to £1500 FTE pro rata (for example - £750 paid after probation period and £750 paid after a year in the role)
• Recommend a friend £500
• NMC HCPC registration paid
• Access to company pension scheme
• Overtime at enhanced rates
• A supportive, values driven culture where professionalism and compassion are genuinely recognised
• A unique clinical environment where no two shifts are the same
• Exposure to specialist forensic skills including evidential documentation and forensic sampling
• Opportunities to progress within one of the UK’s most respected forensic healthcare providers
• Accredited forensic training and structured development.

Benefits

• Enhanced sickness pay scheme
• Enhanced Maternity Pay after 1 year's service
• Enhanced Neonatal/Adoption Pay after 1 year's service
• Well-being programme
• Advanced rota planning for better work-life balance
• 6 weeks annual leave
• Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Apprenticeships
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Long Service/Team of the Month Awards
• A range of accredited and CPD training courses and masterclasses
• Funding for higher education courses after one years’ service
• £3000 estimated average overtime pay
• Contribution to relocation expenses should they wish to move T&C's apply
• £1500 pro rata sign-on bonus
• £500 referral bonus
• £120 NMC registration fees per year
• £98.12 HCPC registration Fees per year

About the company
Founded by passionate clinicians on a mission to provide expert patient-centred services, Mountain Healthcare leads the clinical forensic healthcare provisions sector in the UK. A premier partner of NHS England and the police, our unique provisions include Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), Police Custodial Healthcare, Secure Estate Healthcare and clinical telephone advice.

Driven by our values Be Kind and Do the Right Thing, Mountain Healthcare provides holistic and trauma-informed care that improves the immediate and long-term health outcomes of patients across the criminal justice system. Through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, our expert clinicians ensure equal, effective and efficient services to all our patients and always put their health, safety and rights first.

Join the Best Provider, Make the Greatest Difference
Clinical forensic healthcare is a rapidly growing career path as demand for specialist critical services has greatly increased in recent years. At Mountain Healthcare, we understand that to provide the highest quality services for our patients and customers, our people must be the best in the field. We are proud to offer unrivalled staff training and development opportunities such as our unique Forensic Practitioner Gateway, our wide range of accredited and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, and access to events across the health and justice sector.