Strategic Medical Advisor (SMA)

NHS input to a major incident starts at the scene, with the Ambulance service assuming the lead. Co-ordination, activation and deployment of Medical Resources at a Mass Casualty Major Incident is the responsibility of the London Ambulance Service.

The role of the Strategic Medical Advisor is to provide support and advice to the Strategic Commander to ensure that appropriate clinical resources are available and utilised appropriately both at the scene of the incident and to the continuing patient responsibilities of the ambulance service.

The SMA will provide liaison between the scene and hospitals and provide support and guidance to partner healthcare providers and stakeholders, providing the clinical link be that the tactical clinical teams deployed as a response to major or mass casualty incidents, as well as public health and rising tide incidents.

Responsibilities

Providing extended, specialist medical management and advice in the pre-hospital environment, up to and including major and mass casualty incidents.

To work closely with the Ambulance Service Strategic Commander within the

Command Cell to co-ordinate patient treatment and transport.

To assist in maintaining business as usual and provide strategic clinical guidance to stakeholders and partner agencies.

To assist the Ambulance Service Strategic Commander at periods of excess demand or significant handover delays resulting in clinical risk

Provide strategic clinical oversight and support at the command cell, Emergency

Operations Centre (EOC) or at the scene as required maintaining close liaison with the LAS clinician in the Specialist Operations Centre / At Scene and the London Air Ambulance Medical Advisor at scene

Provide specialist guidance and support to the ambulance command cell, assessing the medical implications and response to any mass casualty incident, as well as rising tide and public health incidents

Before additional medical resources are requested the SMA and Strategic Commander should agree on their role at the scene and consider if this is the most effective use of resources

Communicate with Strategic commander and LAS clinician in the Specialist Operations Centre / At Scene to establish the nature and complexity of casualties injuries so that appropriate plans and preparations are made to distribute patients.

Ensure that advanced appropriate Clinical advice is available to the HART Team(s) attending the scene to ensure that the best possible outcomes for patients are achieved

To provide business continuity support to the Ambulance Strategic Commander, EOC staff and Operational Staff at times of excessive demand to manage clinical risk, oversee call prioritisation and on rare occasions help mitigate the clinical risk where patients are

cohorted prior to admission to hospital.

To communicate clinician to clinician with the Acute Trusts and Foundation Trusts who are providing casualty receiving facilities or on standby to receive casualties. The Acute Trusts should be able to provide accurate information about each participating Acute Trusts capacity for theatre, critical care and bed availability. Clear information from the scene about children as casualties and burns patients is particularly important.

Press enquires must not be dealt with by the SMA in isolation. Enquiries should be directed to the London Ambulance Service Trust Communications Department and advice sort from both the on-call Communications Manager and Police Press Officers if required to speak to the Media. The SMA should however be prepared to respond to media requests and participate in press conferences with the strategic ambulance commander if necessary

Maintain an accurate and detailed log of events and decisions made must be maintained by the SMA throughout the incident suing either an approved paper log of NOGGIN

The SMA should attend formal debriefs and ensure that the lessons learnt are shared in the form of a full post-incident report for NHS England Emergency Preparedness, Resilience & Response Team.

Maintain own CPD and contribute to own personal development by participating in annual appraisal process and evidencing this to the LAS CMO, developing a PDP, and actively participating in agreed learning activities and evaluating effectiveness of learning in relation to role

Annually to attend a minimum of 2 of 3 half days updates and one pre-planned event or exercise (live or table top)

To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales

Provide on call clinical advice for Advanced Paramedics

General Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Trust, which may be amended from time to time.

Patient Safety is a key priority for the Trust. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully compliant with LAS policies and procedures in respect of patient safety, for example Risk Management, Infection Prevention and Control, Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

To act in ways that support equality and diversity and the rights of individuals, ensuring own practice is in accordance with Trust policies. Identify and take action when own or others action undermines equality and diversity.

To abide by the NHS values and the NHS Constitution, all staff must maintain the highest standards of care and service, treating every individual with compassion, dignity and respect, taking responsibility not only for the care you personally provide, but also for your wider contribution to the aims of your team and the NHS as a whole

To raise concerns around risk, malpractice or wrongdoing at work, which may affect patients, staff or the organisation, at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Emergency driving is not a requirement for the role, but if currently trained and using this skill in a clinical role then the SMA may respond under emergency conditions

The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Trust, which may be amended from time to time.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, but to give an indication of the main areas of activity and involvement and is not, therefore, exhaustive.

It will be subject to review, in light of changing circumstances and in consultation with the post-holder.