Join Our Mission to Help Save Lives – Technical Crew Member & Emergency Care Assistant

Location: RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, with infrequent duties from Nostell: Southern Air Support Unit, Foulby near Wakefield

Hours: Topcliffe Air Support Unit: 12-hour shift between 07:00 and 19:00, including weekend shifts when rostered.

Occasional variations to this pattern may be requested, but duty time will never be more than as permitted under the approved Flight Time Limitations (FTL) scheme.

Salary: £29,976 starting salary with annual pay increases

Closing Date: Monday, 27th October 2025 at 5 pm

Do you want to feel as though you are helping to save lives every day? When working for YAA as a Technical Crew Member/Emergency Care Assistant, that is exactly what you will be doing!

At Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), our helicopters are ready to respond to emergencies across Yorkshire – thanks to the generosity of the public and the dedication of our team.

About the Role

We are seeking to recruit one Technical Crew Member (TCM) on our helicopters as part of our pre-hospital critical care service. The TCM will, under the direction of our Chief Pilot, be responsible for assisting the pilot of one of our air ambulance helicopters employed in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) role. Their primary duty will be to sit in the cockpit both by day and by night.

You will help to ensure the safety and performance of the helicopter, particularly during the take-off, transit, approach, and landing phases by assisting the pilot in the choice of a suitable landing site and by providing assistance with checklists and procedures. Before, during and after flight, you will be accountable to the aircraft commander for the safety and conduct of passengers and patients, stretcher and medical equipment. You will also be asked to assist with patient care in your position as ECA. This role is likely to involve regular exposure to patients who have suffered serious trauma, which is why previous experience as an AAP is essential.

Operating hours throughout the year are from 7 am to 7 pm from our secondary base at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk. Our primary airbase is at Nostell, Wakefield, which operates from 7 am to 1 am. The successful candidate will be based at Topcliffe as their home base, but will be expected to work at both bases when requested.

What You’ll Do

Primary Role: TCM duties in accordance with the YAA Operations Manual

Duties in the HEMS Technical Crew Member (TCM) role include navigation, map reading & the principles of navigation aids and annual participation in simulator training exercises.
Use of NVIS (Night Vision) systems, including the Trakka Searchlight and Night Vision Goggles.
Operation of radio equipment and helicopter inter-communications systems.
Use of on-board medical equipment.
Preparing the helicopter and specialist medical equipment for HEMS departure.
In-flight procedures such as: instrument reading, warnings, use of normal and emergency checklists, and assistance to the pilot as required.
Basic understanding of the helicopter type in terms of location and design of all normal and emergency systems and equipment.
Crew cooperation and the concept of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Human Factors.
Response to a HEMS callout.
Helicopter refuelling procedures.
The selection and use of a HEMS operation site.
Handling patients, assisting medical staff with medical equipment, and first aid skills.
Aircraft Marshalling signals.
Make others aware of the dangers of rotor-running helicopters, especially when loading patients (includes crowd control at an incident)
Understanding the despatch criteria and legislation for HEMS and air ambulance flights.
Assistance with maintaining the base to a high standard of cleanliness and operational effectiveness under the direction of the Chief Pilot, and cleaning the aircraft and its equipment in line with the current guidance.
Required to carry out annual physical competency assessments.
You may, on occasion, be required to carry out duties of a different nature either in addition to, or instead of, your normal duties. You will not be assigned duties or asked to perform services which are believed to be unreasonable or that you cannot reasonably perform, or which are inconsistent with the position you hold.

Secondary Role: Emergency Care Assistant Duties

To assist a qualified practitioner in the delivery of high-quality and effective clinical and personal care and the transportation of patients, selecting and applying appropriate equipment and skills in line with the scope of practice, training prospectus and associated training.
To carry out allocated operational duties commensurate with the role and responsibilities, supporting the provision of clinical, social and holistic care to patients in a pre-hospital environment, safely and within appropriate level of training and competency.
Maintain a competent working knowledge of all medical and life support equipment carried on the helicopter, appropriate to the required skill level and scope of practice.
Maintain competence in assisting a qualified practitioner in the use of appropriate equipment in line with the scope of practice and associated training.
Ensure that all procedures used within the scope of practice are consistent with and promote good infection control.
Ensure that required equipment is stored, transported, and cared for so that they are always in good working order.
Comply with basic scene safety checks and the associated basic risk assessments, working with the aircraft commander, other healthcare, or emergency services staff.
Support qualified practitioners as directed in the provision of high-quality care.
Be flexible in attitude to meet the constantly changing nature of care and service delivery
Be smart in appearance and courteous at all times to convey a high level of confidence to the public.
Work with others and use available equipment to ensure the safe manual handling and movement of patients.
Exercise high levels of courtesy and communication with patients and the public to ensure that clear information is conveyed, always maintaining patient confidentiality.
Clean and maintain proper care of any equipment, aircraft and uniform provided by the Charity in accordance with current infection control procedures.
Take responsibility for patients’ money, valuables, and property whilst they are in the care of the Air Ambulance.
Undertake learning to ensure that own knowledge and skills are maintained at the required level.
Be aware of scenarios that may cause distress and discomfort whilst attending an accident/incident, whilst working with your colleagues to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, through the recognition of symptoms and utilisation of trauma counselling on the unit.

Because of the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provision (42) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) order 1975.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

Comfortable in the Helicopter or fast-moving Low-Level Environment (air/motion sickness not being an issue).
Already qualified as an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) or Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP)
Physical fitness for the role will be assessed as part of the application process and as part of an annual check, as this role includes lifting and walking across rough terrain carrying equipment. You will be able to achieve level 6 on the 20m multistage fitness test, carry a medical bag 100m, and carry a 20kg kettlebell 100m.
Lives in, or prepared to relocate to, the Yorkshire region as travel expenses will not be paid to work base and shift pattern will mean early starts and late finishes.
Professional & punctual.
Ability to digest technical information both verbally and from manuals in order to act within strict aviation & medical practices.
Comfortable working in fast-moving, decision-intensive situations.
Fluent English, driving licence, passport, and right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

CAA Light Aircraft Pilot’s License Medical.
Navigation or map-reading skills.
Previous experience in a similar role. (e.g. Ex-Military Helicopter Crew Member, Night Vision (NVIS) experience, Air Ambulance, Aerial Surveying, Aerial photography).

What We Offer:

Starting salary of £29,976 with annual increments for first 5 years
Discretionary annual staff bonus scheme based on the Charity’s financial performance.
33 days paid holiday per annum as Bank Holidays included in shift pattern.
Regular team building and days.
Commitment to training and personal development for all staff, including access to short online training sessions.
Eligible to apply for a Blue Light Card, gaining discounts at 100s of businesses.
Access to Employee Assistance Programme covering Financial, Mental and Physical Wellbeing.
Contributory pension scheme (contributions matched by the Charity up to 8% and annual pensions advice).
Life Assurance/Death in Service provided by YAA.

The successful applicant will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.

You can download the full job information pack below.

How to Apply

To apply for this position via our website:

Complete the form below
Upload a CV and covering letter stating how you match the knowledge, abilities and skills required and why you are applying.
Complete and upload the optional Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (available to download below).

The closing date for this vacancy is Monday, 27th October 2025 at 5 pm.

Interviews will take place at Nostell: Southern Air Support Unit, Doncaster Road, Foulby, Wakefield, WF4 1PY on Friday, 14th November 2025.

Start date – as soon as possible.

If you wish to discuss the job role in more detail, please contact Richie Campbell, Senior Technical Crew Member, on 07395 365439 or via email at r.campbell@yaa.org.uk

For other recruitment queries, please contact recruitment@yaa.org.uk

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