Registered Nurse/Paramedic Barrow/Kendal FT/PT

Forensic Custody Healthcare Professional
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.

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.