Ambulance care assistant

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the knowledge and skills needed to become a trainee ambulance care assistant.

Courses include:

• health and social care
• T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Ambulance Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with an ambulance service.

This can take between 12 and 18 months to complete and combines on-the-job training and study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get some health or social care experience before applying for jobs.

For example, you could find opportunities through:

• NHS Volunteering
• the British Red Cross
• St John Ambulance

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs.

You'll need:

• driving experience
• knowledge of the local area and ability to use a vehicle navigation system
• experience of working with elderly, sick or vulnerable people

Some ambulance services may ask for 3 or 4 GCSEs, including English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications .

More Information

Career Tips

You can search for vacancies on NHS Jobs, or contact your nearest ambulance service trust .

Further Information

You can learn more about becoming an ambulance care assistant from Health Careers.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence
• pass enhanced background checks
• have a good level of fitness

You may need a Category C1 licence or C1 provisional to drive an ambulance, depending on when you passed your original driving test. Check with the service you're applying to for details.

Day-to-day tasks

As an ambulance care assistant, you could:

• transfer patients to and from appointments
• lift and help patients in and out of the vehicle
• make sure patients are safe and secure during journeys
• settle patients back at home after their appointment
• keep in touch with the ambulance control room, using a radio
• carry out basic vehicle checks, and maintain medical supplies and equipment
• keep accurate records of journeys

Working environment

You could work on an ambulance.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience, you could:

• become a team leader or supervisor
• train to be an emergency care assistant
• apply to be a student paramedic
• move into personnel, training, health and safety, or control room work