Registered Nurse​/Paramedic - Barrow

Are you looking for a career move that offers real variety, autonomy and professional challenge beyond traditional clinical settings? The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role. 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.

As a Forensic Custody Healthcare Professional (RGN and Paramedic), you will provide autonomous clinical care within police custody suites, supporting detainees with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. You will assess fitness for detention and interview, respond to acute medical episodes, manage drug and alcohol related presentations, and support safeguarding decisions in a complex and highly rewarding environment.

This is not ward based nursing or ambulance work, but a specialist role where you will apply your clinical expertise in a completely different setting, working closely with custody staff, police officers and partner agencies to ensure detainees are safely managed and receive appropriate care throughout the criminal justice process. You will also be trained to undertake forensic and evidential duties, including the collection and preservation of forensic samples, injury documentation, and maintaining robust clinical records that support legal and professional standards.

• Conduct comprehensive 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 environment.
• Support detainees with mental health needs, substance misuse, alcohol dependency, and complex vulnerabilities.
• Collect 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 and other healthcare services to ensure appropriate onward care.
• Attend hospital blood procedures under the Road Traffic Act.
• Prepare professional statements and attend court as an impartial healthcare witness.

No prior forensic experience is required; full training and an externally accredited Introduction are provided. Flexible full‑time and part‑time opportunities are available within a supportive, values‑driven clinical team. This role will be based at the Barrow and Kendal Police Custody Suites – LA14 2LE
/ LA9 4RJ
. The role pays £19.60p/h. Full‑time employees are contracted to 42 hours a week. Part‑time employees are contracted to 21 hours a week. Annualised hours contracts and part‑time opportunities are also available, comprising a mix of day and night shifts. Weekend working is included within all contractual arrangements.

This is a rare opportunity to move into a specialist forensic healthcare career while continuing to use your clinical skills every day. You will be trusted to work autonomously, make high quality clinical decisions, and develop into a confident forensic practitioner.

• Recommend a friend £500
• A joining bonus of £1500
• NMC HCPC registration paid
• Access to company pension scheme
• Overtime at enhanced rates
• A supportive, values driven culture where professionalism and compassion are 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

• Registered General Nurse (RGN) or Paramedic with current NMC or HCPC registration.
• Minimum of three years post‑qualification experience in an acute setting (e.g. frontline paramedic, A&E, prison, custody, urgent care).
• Full UK driving licence with less than 6 penalty points.
• Ability to successfully complete enhanced DBS clearance and police vetting.
• Full Right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for a minimum of three years prior to application.
• Strong assessment, communication and decision‑making skills, with confidence working autonomously.
• A calm, professional and compassionate approach when working with vulnerable individuals, including those who may be distressed, intoxicated or experiencing acute mental health symptoms.
• Willingness to complete accredited forensic training within the first year of employment.