Royal Air Force Medical Reserves RCN Jobs Fair – Sept 2013 FS Monica Lyons 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron

Aims of the presentation To explain: The Role of the Medical Reserves The Formations of the Medical Reserves The Roles within the Formations Entry Requirements An individuals commitment Training (Phase I / Phase II / Phase III) The Mobilisation Process Realities of Deployment

The role of the RAF Medical Reserves The RAF’s Mission Statement reads: “To provide an agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to None, and that makes a decisive air power Contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission.”

To support the RAF’s mission the RAF Medical Reserves aim is to provide: Trained clinical specialists drawn from the full spectrum of civilian medical, nursing and allied health professional cadre. To augment the Defence Medical Services when required Suitable training, thereby ensuring those personnel above are trained to the highest military and clinical standards possible.

Formations of the RAF Medical Reserves Headquarters Medical Reserves (HQ MR) ‘To coordinate RAF Medical Reserves operational capability and contribute to the Air Mission and DMS outputs through the provision of high quality medical reserve services’ HQ MR

612 (County of Aberdeen) Sqn ‘The unit is tasked with recruiting and training personnel to provide an Aeromedical Staging Unit (ASU)’ 612 Sqn

4626 (Aeromedical Evacuation) Sqn The unit is tasked with recruiting and training personnel to provide: Tactical/Strategic Aeromed Evacuation Teams Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT) Strategic CCAST Aeromed (Mental Health) Teams 4626 (AE) Sqn 4626 Sqn

Medical Support Flight 600 (City of London) Sqn The MSF provides a 3 rd unit based in the South East of England to recruit and train personnel to augment both 612 and Sqn MSF

The Roles within the Formations Aeromedical Staging Unit (ASU) 40 An ASU is a medical holding facility, located on or in the vicinity of an embarkation / disembarkation air base or strip. It has a 40 bed ward and 3 ITU bed capacity. Can be augmented by an additonal Surgical Facility if required.

Tactical Aeromed Evacuation Teams Tactical Aeromed Evacuation Teams typically transfer patients, who have normally been stabilised before evacuation within the Operational Area to Role 2 or 3 Medical Treatment Facilities, using fixed or rotary wing aircraft.

Tactical/Strategic CCAST (Critical Care Aeromedical Support Team) Tactical CCAST is deployed in direct support of operational theatres, moving Dependency 1 patients between medical facilities in the operational area Strategic CCAST will transfer Dependency 1 patients from operational theatres/rest of the world to the UK Role 4 facility.

Forward Aeromed MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) MERT is the medical component of an incident response team and is used when the clinical situation dictates the requirement for Pre- Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC) intervention during the transit of casualties from point of wounding (POW) to an appropriate Medical Treatment Facility (MTF).

Entry Requirements UK Resident Registered Nurse (NMC) Specialist Nursing Qualification / Experience – Desirable Current Employers Permission Medically Fit

As an RAF Medical Reservist your minimum commitment each year will be to complete: 27 days (minimum) training comprising the following; 6 Training Weekends per year 15 continuous days Annual Continuous Training (ACT) Commitment

Mandatory Training comprising Military Training Weekend (incl. CCS & Briefings) Medical Training Weekend Biannual Fitness Test Commitment (Contd)

Once you become a member of the Reserve Forces you will undertake Phase I training, this consists of the Basic Recruit Course: Modules 1-3 – Delivered during Training Weekends at your parent unit Module 4 – 15 days Annual Continuous Training delivered at RAF Halton Module 5 – A 2 day Consolidation Exercise delivered during a Training Weekend at your parent unit. Training (Phase I – All Personnel)

In addition to Basic Recruit Training (BRT), potential Commissioned Officers must attend Reserve Officer Initial Training (ROIT): Distance learning package Three weekends at RAFC Cranwell Two-week residential course conducted at RAFC Cranwell. Training (Phase II – Officers)

Phase II Training in the RAF Medical Reserves aims to provide a transition for medical professionals into the military environment Training (Phase II Airmen/Airwomen)

Phase III Training in the RAF Medical Reserves is provided through an Annual Training Programme containing elements of: Mandatory Military Training Common Core Skills Training Field Training Mandatory Medical Training Role Specific Medical Training Specialist Medical Forums Force Development Training Adventurous Training Training (Phase III – All Personnel)

Before a reservist can be mobilised and sent on operations, a Call-out Order has to be signed by the Defence Secretary. He has the power under different parts of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to authorise the use of reserves in a variety of situations. The Mobilisation Process (RFA 96)

Although all mobilisation is compulsory in law, the majority of the time, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses a process known as ‘Intelligent Selection’ to identify individuals for call-out. This allows the Reservists to be selected according to their individual skills and specialisations and allows a unit to take into account a Reservist’s personal and employment circumstances. The Mobilisation Process (Intelligent Selection)

Realities of Deployment Possible Locations Iraq Afghanistan United Kingdom Where next? Any where is possible!

Realities of Deployment continued... New experiences Challenging Great Friendships Training Career Progression – Military & Civilian Leadership Training Confidence Building Personal Development Teaching Improve Fitness Opportunities are endless

Realities of Deployment continued... Hostile Environment May be armed! Available 24/7 Busy but also Quiet times Living in close proximity Stressful Situations Time away from family/friends Possible effects on career Time to readjust on return

Aims of the presentation To explain: The Role of the Medical Reserves The Formations of the Medical Reserves The Roles within the Formations Entry Requirements An individuals commitment Training (Phase I / Phase II / Phase III) The Mobilisation Process Realities of Deployment

Any Questions?