OC APS

A vacancy has arisen for a Wing Commander (Medical RAF Av Med) to serve as a Defence Consultant in Aerospace Medicine at RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine, RAF Henlow, with an initial proposed start date of 02 September 2024. Whilst FTRS(FC) is the preferred TCoS, to fill a Regular post, alternative TCoS will be considered due either to needs of the Service or the preferences of available candidates.

The role is responsible for:

• Aeromedical advice and support to the Front Line Commands, Defence Medical Services, Defence Equipment and Support, Team Tempest, Defence Science and Technology, Defence Safety Authority, and wider MOD
• Delivering in-depth subject matter expertise on qualification testing for future fast jet life support systems
• Acting as Clinical Supervisor and supporting development of Specialty Registrars in Aviation and Space Medicine
• Review and updating of national and international aerospace medicine policy and standards
• Teaching aerospace medicine to medical officers and aircrew
• Clinical input to multi-disciplinary team meetings on aerospace medicine cases
• Review of the RAF Aerospace Medicine archive

Must either have been, or currently be, a Wg Cdr accredited Defence Medical Services consultant in Aviation Medicine, or Aviation and Space Medicine

• Current GMC Licence to Practice
• Previous experience of conducting human physiology research to PhD level
• Previous or current competence as Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) of human centrifuge operation, and MOIC hypobaric chamber operation
• Immediate Life Support provider
• A broad level of Service and aviation knowledge

• Educational Supervisor competence
• PhD supervision experience
• Report writing to peer review publication standard
• Previous experience of aerospace medicine at an international level including NATO, AFIC or similar roles

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Wing Commander Joseph Britton

Tel: 0300 151 4388

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Marsh, Emma Wg Cdr (Air COS Spt-CAM-COS) <Emma.Marsh631@mod.gov.uk>

The closing date for applications is 29 March 2024 and interviews will take place week commencing 08 April 2024.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on FTRS(FC) for a period of 4 years, however, alternative TCoS such as, Additional Duties Commitment TCoS, will be considered and has been approved by CM in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements.