Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a MERIT Manager to join the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) on an initial 12-month fixed-term contract, based across the Greater Manchester (GM) and Cheshire & Merseyside (CAM) areas.This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective leadership, governance, and operational readiness of the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT). The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the operational, training and education, and strategic functions of MERIT, ensuring seamless integration with NWAS major, critical, and complex incident response structures. This role provides an opportunity to work closely with a dedicated team of MERIT doctors, enhancing the service's ability to deliver expert medico-legal advice to the Ambulance Service Health Command cadre. Main duties of the job The MERIT Manager will be responsible for:o Leadership and Coordination: Managing the Strategic Medical Advisor, Tactical Medical Advisor, and Operational Medical Advisor functions to ensure the highest levels of clinical governance and operational effectiveness.o Operational Readiness: Ensuring MERIT resources are optimally deployed in line with NWAS and national Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, and Response (EPRR) requirements.o Training & Development: Overseeing the training, mentorship, and professional development of MERIT staff, ensuring alignment with national best practice and emerging clinical advancements.o Strategic Partnerships: Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, including NHS ECU, trauma networks, specialist response teams, and other emergency services to enhance the effectiveness and integration of MERIT within wider multi-agency frameworks.o Research and Development: Leading on quality improvement, research, and innovation within pre-hospital critical care, ensuring MERIT remains at the forefront of evidence-based practice.o Governance & Assurance: Ensuring all MERIT activities comply with NHS governance frameworks, legal obligations, and best practice guidelines, with a focus on continuous improvement and patient safety. About us North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport. Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need. Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident. We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Date posted 02 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 242-4625-LR Job locations Merit Department Manchester M17 1EH Job description Job responsibilities Please ensure you read the attached Job Description & Person Specification for a full breakdown of responsibilities and requirements. Job description Job responsibilities Please ensure you read the attached Job Description & Person Specification for a full breakdown of responsibilities and requirements. Person Specification Qualifications Essential State Registered Paramedic Degree or equivalent experience Hold a teaching qualification that is recognised for the delivery of the ambulance awards. PTLLS / DTLLS Cert Ed, IHCD, NVQ Desirable Experience of HART, CBRN, MTA Training MIMMS qualified Skills Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner Able to communicate across wide demographic boundaries in an appropriate manner Strong management, motivational and leadership skills Respects and applies patient confidentiality at all times Able to operate all equipment safely and in accordance with Trust policy, procedures and protocols Excellent verbal and written communication skills Problems solving skills with ability to act on decisions Influencing and negotiation skills Ability to conduct investigations into accidents or untoward incidents Ability to work under pressure, and balance multiple priorities to meet deadlines Excellent clinical knowledge base Desirable Knowledge of Microsoft office programmes Knowledge Essential Experience of managing a team 3 years operational paramedic experience Proven experience in training environment Evidence of partnership and multi agency working Desirable HE or FE environment teaching experience Experience of managing people Personal Attributes Essential Flexible and highly motivated Project a professional image Ability to work with a team to deliver effective and efficient training services Ability to remain calm and resilient under pressure and support others in this respect Must be flexible, persuasive influential and assertive. Project a professional image. Desirable Ability to work with members of other organisations both internal and external to the NHS Other Essential Low level of absence due to sickness in the last two years. No outstanding disciplinary sanctions Have a satisfactory DBS enhanced disclosure check. Occupational Health clearance. Flexibility required surrounding shifts and time away from home, including the requirement to attend residential training courses to achieve required standards. The ability to undertake out of hours on-call duties as part of a rota. Desirable Flexibility in working hours, to help meet student needs Person Specification Qualifications Essential State Registered Paramedic Degree or equivalent experience Hold a teaching qualification that is recognised for the delivery of the ambulance awards. PTLLS / DTLLS Cert Ed, IHCD, NVQ Desirable Experience of HART, CBRN, MTA Training MIMMS qualified Skills Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner Able to communicate across wide demographic boundaries in an appropriate manner Strong management, motivational and leadership skills Respects and applies patient confidentiality at all times Able to operate all equipment safely and in accordance with Trust policy, procedures and protocols Excellent verbal and written communication skills Problems solving skills with ability to act on decisions Influencing and negotiation skills Ability to conduct investigations into accidents or untoward incidents Ability to work under pressure, and balance multiple priorities to meet deadlines Excellent clinical knowledge base Desirable Knowledge of Microsoft office programmes Knowledge Essential Experience of managing a team 3 years operational paramedic experience Proven experience in training environment Evidence of partnership and multi agency working Desirable HE or FE environment teaching experience Experience of managing people Personal Attributes Essential Flexible and highly motivated Project a professional image Ability to work with a team to deliver effective and efficient training services Ability to remain calm and resilient under pressure and support others in this respect Must be flexible, persuasive influential and assertive. Project a professional image. Desirable Ability to work with members of other organisations both internal and external to the NHS Other Essential Low level of absence due to sickness in the last two years. No outstanding disciplinary sanctions Have a satisfactory DBS enhanced disclosure check. Occupational Health clearance. Flexibility required surrounding shifts and time away from home, including the requirement to attend residential training courses to achieve required standards. The ability to undertake out of hours on-call duties as part of a rota. Desirable Flexibility in working hours, to help meet student needs 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 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Address Merit Department Manchester M17 1EH Employer's website https://www.nwas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)