Bariatric Clinician

Job overview

On April 1st 2024, the Bariatric service came in house and was no longer provided by private providers. The Bariatric team is made up of 30 fully qualified clinicians, based over two sites across London and provide 24/7 Bariatric support to front line crews.

The Bariatric Team is a specialised group of clinicians dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients in emergency situations. Recognising the unique challenges that bariatric patients face, this team is equipped with specialised equipment necessary to ensure safe, effective, and respectful care.

In addition to offering expert advice, the Bariatric Ambulance Team is trained in the safe handling and movement of bariatric patients, addressing both their physical and emotional needs. The team’s holistic approach prioritises patient comfort, dignity, and safety, ensuring that each individual receives personalised care that meets their specific health requirements. Whether responding to a medical emergency or transporting patients to specialised care facilities, the Bariatric Team is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those they help, fostering trust and promoting well-being at every step of the journey.

The Trust is expanding its in house Bariatric Response Team.  The ‘West London’ provision will be deployed from Richmond and the ‘East London’ provision  will be deployed from Ilford. You will be part of a dedicated Bariatric team operating across all sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Care & Transport: Safely assess, manage, and transport bariatric patients, ensuring their medical and physical needs are met during transport.
• Specialist Equipment Operation: Utilise and maintain bariatric-specific equipment, such as specialist trolley beds, moving and handling aids, and vehicle adaptations.
• Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with healthcare professionals, hospital staff, and other emergency services to coordinate patient care and movement.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks related to patient handling and transport, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety (H&S) guidelines.
• Teamwork: You will receive extensive training in both clinical needs of Bariatric patients and the equipment required to safely move and handle patients who potentially weigh in excess of 450kgs. Operate as part of a fully trained two/three-person team , as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). You will also be called upon as a subject matter expert in unplanned care of bariatric patients, using enhanced knowledge and skills to treat and transport acutely unwell bariatric patients to ED.
• Training: Participate in ongoing training and skill development to maintain expertise in bariatric patient care. This training will reflect the diversity of the role; you will be undertaking pre planned transfers, where your knowledge of safe moving, handling and transportation of patients will be needed. 

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified as a Band 6 Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP).
• Hold a driving licence with C1. Must be able to drive under blue light conditions
• Ability to undertake an 18-month secondment with dedicated training.
• Willingness to engage in specialist bariatric handling and transport training.

Benefits & Incentives

• Extensive training package to develop specialist skills.
• Financial recruitment & retention package, including a one-off £500 initial payment and a £1,500 non-consolidated annual payment (£100 per month after tax).
• Supportive team environment with opportunities for professional growth including dedicated CPD days

This role is vital in ensuring safe, timely, and dignified care for bariatric patients while supporting the wider LAS in delivering high-quality healthcare.

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As a Bariatric Clinician, you will play a crucial role in the safe and effective care, management, and transport of bariatric patients. Your responsibilities will include:

1. Patient Care & Clinical Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, ensuring the appropriate clinical interventions are provided.
• Deliver high-quality patient care, maintaining dignity, safety, and comfort during transport.
• Recognise and respond to clinical deterioration, escalating care when necessary.

2. Specialist Bariatric Handling & Equipment Use

• Operate and maintain specialist bariatric equipment, including stretchers, lifting aids, and vehicle adaptations.
• Apply safe moving and handling techniques to minimise risk to patients and staff.
• Ensure all equipment is used in compliance with health and safety regulations.

3. Emergency & Non-Emergency Transport

• Work as part of a specialist two/three-person team to provide timely and safe patient transport.
• Respond to urgent and emergency cases, including blue-light transfers, ensuring safe hospital admission.
• Coordinate with hospital staff and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient handover.

4. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate manual handling risks to prevent injury to both patients and staff.
• Adhere to Trust policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and national guidelines on safe moving and handling.
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient care, interventions, and transport details.

5. Training & Professional Development

• Participate in ongoing specialist training to maintain competency in bariatric patient management.
• Support colleague development by sharing expertise and best practices in bariatric care.
• Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning to enhance patient outcomes.

This role is essential in ensuring the safe and dignified transport of bariatric patients, contributing to high-quality patient care and operational efficiency.

Working for our organisation

Our vision is to deliver outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever needed for everyone in London, 24/7, 365 days a year. Our strategy 2023-2028 outlines how we plan to achieve this, and  is centred upon three missions focused on:

• Our care – delivering outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever needed.
• Our organisation – being an increasingly inclusive, well-led and highly skilled organisation people are proud to work for.
• Our London – using our unique pan-London position to contribute to improving the health of the capital.

To achieve these three missions we have set ourselves 50 commitments to deliver over the next five years. In developing these ambitious commitments, we have engaged extensively both inside our organisation, with our partners and with our patients, and we have analysed population trends and horizon scanned the future.