SO1 MEDICAL CASEWORK

A vacancy has arisen for a Wg Cdr Medical officer (Occupational Medicine preference) to serve as SO1 Career Management Medical Casework at Air Command on Additional Duties Commitment Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 19 October 2026. This is a predominantly remote role, with attendance at Air Command only required by exception.

We are seeking a senior, clinically experienced Medical Officer with strong judgement and excellent communication skills to undertake complex medical casework at the interface between Defence Primary Healthcare and Career Management. The ideal candidate will be able to interpret clinical information in an occupational context, provide clear and defensible advice on employability and medical grading, and engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. The role requires the ability to balance individual Service person needs with operational and organisational requirements in a fair, consistent, and evidence-based manner.

Specific Tasks include:

The post holder will act as Deputy to the President of Career Management Medical Casework to provide medical casework advice to: - 

• Commanders and Career Managers regarding the suitability of medically downgraded RAF personnel to deploy on operations, exercises and overseas assignments.
• Commanders regarding the invaliding arrangements for RAF personnel who become sick or who are injured during service.
• Career Managers regarding the suitability of medically downgraded RAF personnel for continued employment, extensions of service or for promotion.
• Medical Practitioners working within Defence Medical Services regarding the most suitable medical grading for RAF personnel. This will include provision of guidance in complex cases and assurance of gradings awarded.

(Officers) Must either have been, or currently be, a Wg Cdr Medical Officer or a Sqn Ldr Medical Officer eligible for promotion (RAF Only) in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a military MO, with significant military experience
• Current GMC registration with a licence to practise.

• The ideal candidate will be on the GMC Occupational Medicine specialist register. In its absence, the candidate should hold the Diploma in Occupational Medicine or demonstrate sufficient experience in managing occupational medicine cases through their military MO duties.
• The ideal candidate will have the Diploma in Aviation Medicine. In its absence, the candidate should demonstrate sufficient experience in managing aviation medicine cases through their military MO duties.
• Membership / Fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
• Have experience of working within Staff and Command roles.

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

Gp Capt (Ret’d) Mark Hutchinson

Career Management Medical Casework

Air Command

RAF High Wycombe

Mob: 07970 - 729213

Email mark.hutchinson289@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports (as required). Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Gp Capt (Ret’d) Mark Hutchinson

The closing date for applications is 11 September 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 28 September 2026.

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 Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 3 years.

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. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

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.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

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 ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF High Wycombe.