Forensic Custody Healthcare Professional – Nurse / Paramedic

Location: Guildford, Surrey
Rate: £18.92 – £21.14 per hour, depending on experience
Contract: Flexible – minimum 1 shift per month
Shifts: Days & Nights | 24/7 Service
Main Location: Guildford Custody Suite

About the Role

Braemar Medical is recruiting Registered Nurses and Paramedics on behalf of one of our clients, a leading provider of specialist forensic healthcare services within police custody and the wider criminal justice system.

This is an exciting opportunity to step outside a traditional healthcare setting and move into a role offering clinical autonomy, variety and professional challenge.

Working alongside police and criminal justice partners, you will assess, treat and support detainees with a wide range of physical health, mental health, substance misuse and vulnerability-related needs.

No two shifts are the same. You may be managing an acute healthcare need one moment and supporting a vulnerable person experiencing a mental health or substance-related crisis the next.

No previous forensic or custody experience is required. Full accredited forensic training, ongoing support and a structured development programme will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

As a Forensic Custody Healthcare Professional, your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting clinical and capacity assessments and determining fitness for detention, interview, charge and release
• Managing medical emergencies, injuries and other acute healthcare needs
• Supporting detainees with mental health needs, substance misuse, alcohol dependency and complex vulnerabilities
• Collecting and documenting forensic samples and maintaining accurate clinical and evidential records
• Working closely with police, custody teams, NHS services and partner agencies to arrange appropriate ongoing care
• Undertaking Road Traffic Act blood procedures, preparing professional statements and attending court as an impartial healthcare witness when required

This is an autonomous clinical position where your professional judgement, communication skills and ability to remain calm in challenging situations will be extremely important.

Working Pattern

The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a minimum commitment of one shift per month.

Typical shifts are 06:45–19:00 for days and 18:45–07:00 for nights, with paid breaks included.

The main place of work will be Guildford Custody Suite.

Essential Requirements

To be considered, you will need to be a Registered General Nurse with current NMC registration or a Paramedic with current HCPC registration, with at least 3 years' post-qualification experience in an acute or relevant healthcare environment.

Suitable backgrounds may include A&E/Emergency Department, frontline ambulance, urgent care, prison healthcare or custody healthcare.

You should be confident working autonomously, have strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills, and be comfortable supporting vulnerable individuals who may be distressed, intoxicated or experiencing acute mental health symptoms.

Candidates will also require:

• Full UK driving licence with fewer than 6 penalty points
• Ability to complete Enhanced DBS clearance and police vetting
• Full right to work in the UK and at least 3 years' UK residency prior to application
• Willingness to complete accredited forensic training within the first year

Pay & Benefits

The rate for this position is £18.92 – £21.14 per hour, depending on experience, with enhanced overtime rates available.

The overall package includes 6 weeks' annual leave, company pension, life assurance, enhanced sickness pay, enhanced maternity/neonatal/adoption pay after qualifying service, wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme.

You'll also have access to accredited forensic training, CPD courses, masterclasses, structured professional development and potential funding for higher education after one year's service.

Additional benefits include an estimated £3,000 average overtime pay, a £1,500 pro-rata sign-on bonus, £500 referral bonus, potential relocation support and professional registration fee support of up to £120 per year for NMC registration or £98.12 for HCPC registration.

Why Consider Forensic Custody Healthcare?

This is a unique opportunity to use your existing Nursing or Paramedic experience in a completely different clinical environment while developing specialist skills in forensic healthcare, evidential documentation, mental health, substance misuse, safeguarding and autonomous clinical assessment.

It could be particularly suitable if you're looking for additional flexible work alongside your existing position, a move away from a traditional hospital or ambulance environment, or an opportunity to develop a career within forensic healthcare.

Interested?

If this opportunity sparks your interest, please do apply, and a member of the Braemar Medical team will contact you to discuss the position in more detail.

Whether you already have forensic healthcare experience or are looking to enter the sector for the first time, we'd be very happy to hear from you.

All applications and initial conversations will be treated confidentially.