Squadron Medical jobs

Direct entrants must be fully registered with the General Medical Council. Sponsorship is available for the final three years of study in a UK Medical School.

NATIONALITY
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

RESIDENCY
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case by case basis.

This will be established during the selection process.

The Nationality and Residency requirements are the foundation of obtaining the necessary security clearance. The nationalities of your spouse or partner, and parents, are also taken into account among other factors.

There will be further pre-employment checks and you will be expected to achieve the security clearance of Security Check (SC).

Employment restrictions may be imposed in the future if you are unable to achieve an increased security clearance requirement for selected placements.

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. Every candidate's fitness levels are tested as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of a 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)

How fit you need to be to pass this test varies on age and gender. The PJFT requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

See here for more information about a training plan

A second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This includes the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test). Standards to achieve will be given during the visit.

Candidates joining the RAF must be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the challenges of military service, during which they will be expected to deploy, potentially at short notice, to locations world-wide that are remote from established medical care.

Certain medical conditions could preclude entry to the RAF. Further details can be found in this document.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Information

Why is BMI important?

One of the most common medical causes of delay to candidate’s applications, is falling outside the selection BMI limits. Candidates with a BMI outside the selection limitations are statistically at increased risk of injury during basic training and long-term ill health.

What is BMI?

BMI is calculated using your height and weight. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) classify a healthy BMI as being between 18.5 and 24.9. Some individuals have an elevated BMI due to a high muscle mass. To accommodate individuals with an elevated BMI (up to a maximum of 32) caused by high muscle mass, waist circumference measurements are used.

How to measure your waist circumference

Breathe normally and the waist measurement is to be taken at the end of a normal breath out. Position the tape measure midway between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis. The tape should be snug but not compress the skin. If there is difficulty finding the bony landmarks, place the tape at the level of the tummy button.

Calculating your BMI

Calculate your BMI here

BMI Limitations for RAF Selection

Eyesight

Eyesight standards vary for different roles. Wearing glasses or contact lenses may be allowed.

Health Criteria

If you are unsure about any health criteria, please continue your application and your eligibility will be assessed at the medical examination stage.

During your application, the Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

YOU MUST:

• Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
• Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
• Achieve the minimum security clearance of Security Check (SC) for this role

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

• Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
• Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
• Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
• Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
  Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted).
• Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
• Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

Serving personnel can wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

Usually, candidates are to be clean shaven when being fitted for their respirators in Phase One training, however other methods of creating a clean seal can be advised if this is not possible due to religious reasons.

Be fully registered with the General Medical Council and fully qualified in your specialty.

If your qualifications are not listed, or you do not have any qualifications, please Contact Us to learn more about how you can join the Royal Air Force.

Nationality

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with indefinite leave to remain immigration status).



Residency

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered. If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case by case basis. This will be established during the selection process.

Commonwealth citizens require a minimum of 5 years residency in the UK prior to application.

The Nationality and Residency requirements are the foundation of obtaining the necessary security clearance. The nationalities of your spouse or partner, and parents, are also taken into account among other factors.

There will be further pre-employment checks and you will be expected to achieve the security clearance of Security Check (SC).

Employment restrictions may be imposed in the future if you are unable to achieve an increased security clearance requirement for selected placements.

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. Every candidate's fitness levels are tested as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of a 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)

How fit you need to be to pass this test varies on age and gender. The PJFT requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

See here for more information about a training plan

Candidates joining the RAF must be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the challenges of military service, during which they will be expected to deploy, potentially at short notice, to locations world-wide that are remote from established medical care.

Certain medical conditions could preclude entry to the RAF. Further details can be found in this document.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Information

Why is BMI important?

One of the most common medical causes of delay to candidate’s applications, is falling outside the selection BMI limits. Candidates with a BMI outside the selection limitations are statistically at increased risk of injury during basic training and long-term ill health.

What is BMI?

BMI is calculated using your height and weight. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) classify a healthy BMI as being between 18.5 and 24.9. Some individuals have an elevated BMI due to a high muscle mass. To accommodate individuals with an elevated BMI (up to a maximum of 32) caused by high muscle mass, waist circumference measurements are used.

How to measure your waist circumference

Breathe normally and the waist measurement is to be taken at the end of a normal breath out. Position the tape measure midway between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis. The tape should be snug but not compress the skin. If there is difficulty finding the bony landmarks, place the tape at the level of the tummy button.

Calculating your BMI

Calculate your BMI here

BMI Limitations for RAF Selection

Eyesight

Eyesight standards vary for different roles. Wearing glasses or contact lenses may be allowed.

Health Criteria

If you are unsure about any health criteria, please continue your application and your eligibility will be assessed at the medical examination stage.

During your application, the Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

YOU MUST:

• Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
• Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
• Achieve the minimum security clearance of Security Check (SC) for this role

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

• Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
• Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
• Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
• Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
  Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted).
• Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
• Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

Serving personnel can wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

Usually, candidates are to be clean shaven when being fitted for their respirators in Phase One training, however other methods of creating a clean seal can be advised if this is not possible due to religious reasons.

Phase one training

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You will undertake a 12-week course specially designed for professionally-qualified entrants to the RAF. The course includes fitness development, military training, weapons handling and academic study as well as practical outdoor leadership challenges.

Phase two training

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Following a short period of well-earned leave, you will then go to the Defence College of Healthcare Education and Training for a 1-week course where you will learn about the delivery of medical care in the RAF.

This is followed by an introduction to the speciality of Aviation Medicine at the Centre of Aviation Medicine at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire. You will learn about the effects of illness and medication on the ability of our staff to work onboard aircraft, aircrew life support and human factors in aviation. The course also includes elements of occupational medicine.

General duties tour

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As a fully qualified GP or consultant, you will begin your RAF career in a medical setting at one of our bases as a GDMO to give you first-hand experience of RAF life and time to attend military courses relevant to your future role.

You will then be posted to a Joint Hospital Group Unit or to a NHS hospital, either to complete your training or to work as a consultant in your specialty. Qualified GPs will continue working in a Medical Centre.

Career prospects

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You will hold the rank of Flight Lieutenant or Squadron Leader dependent on your experience and professional qualifications at the time of joining. Initially, you will be offered an Initial Commission of 6 or 12 years depending on whether you have already completed specialist training. Promotion from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader is after 5 years satisfactory service. For GPs, promotion to Wing Commander and above is by competitive selection.

For consultant-based specialties you will become eligible for promotion to A/Wg Cdr on successful completion of IOD4 (Intermediate Officer Development) and substantive Wg Cdr on successful ASCAB (Armed Services Consultant Appointment Board). Your commission may be extended until you reach the age of 60, subject to Service requirements and your medical fitness. Pay is aligned with your peers in the NHS and there is a generous Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

Ongoing development

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This includes, both for primary and secondary care clinicians, the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Aviation Medicine course. The Diploma in Occupational Medicine can also be undertaken and, if successful at national benchmarking, higher training can be undertaken to reach Consultant level in this specialty.

Other training opportunities include medical education, sports and exercise medicine and public health, depending on your career aspirations and the needs of the RAF. As a fully-qualified independent practitioner, either in primary or secondary care, you will undergo various types of further military and adventure training to test your skills in more challenging ways. All Medical Officers receive Command and Staff Training with some undertaking additional training to prepare them for senior medical management appointments.

Transferable skills

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You will also have the chance to work in challenging locations around the world and gain a unique medical and personal experience.

The development of your leadership skills and broader military experience will enhance your prospects when you eventually leave the RAF.

Phase one training

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This will take place over 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15-day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This should be completed within your first year in RAF reserves.

Throughout your training you’ll become prepared for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world. As well as military training you’ll learn about the core values, code of conduct, and history of the RAF as well as its unique lifestyle.

Phase two training

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ROIT is designed to build upon the military skills gained during BRTC(R) and cultivate leadership skills through academic study and field exercises. Culminating in graduation from RAF Officer Training Academy, Cranwell as a Commissioned Officer. You will also undertake the Foundation Airpower training on completion of ROIT.

Phase three training

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This is held at DMS Whittington, Staffordshire and a 2-week Aviation Medicine course at the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, RAF Henlow. The final element of specialist training is a 2-week clinical placement in a Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility on a Fast Jet Flying Station.

Commitment

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This will mean you can get the most out of your role as a Reserve and provide value to us.

Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises. You could also be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after your first year with us.

Ongoing development

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As well as RAF training packages and courses linked to outside professional bodies, we actively support individual study programmes at every level.

Transferable skills

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The skills you learn with us as a Reserve will complement those that you use in the wider world, providing value at work and at home too.