Ambulance Care Assistant

Job Description:

Ambulance care assistants take patients to and from hospital for appointments.

Job Category:
Health Care & Social Assistance
See Health Care & Social Assistance jobs

What you will do:

In this role you could:

  • lift and help patients in and out of the ambulance
  • settle patients back at home after their appointments
  • use a radio to keep in touch with the ambulance control room
  • check and maintain the ambulance and its equipment
  • keep accurate records of journeys

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
  • to have a full driving licence
  • to pass enhanced background checks
  • to have a good level of fitness

As well as:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (leadership skills)
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become an ambulance care assistant, you typically don’t need specific subjects, but you should focus on gaining skills and knowledge that are relevant to the role and healthcare field. Ambulance care assistants provide patient transportation and non-emergency care support. Here are some subjects and considerations that can be beneficial:

  1. English Language: Strong communication skills are essential in healthcare, as you’ll need to interact with patients, their families, and healthcare professionals effectively.
  2. Mathematics: Basic mathematical skills are useful for tasks like calculating medication dosages, recording vital signs, and managing patient records.
  3. Science: While not mandatory, having a background in science subjects like Biology or Chemistry can be helpful for understanding basic healthcare concepts and terminology.
  4. Physical Education (PE): Physical fitness and stamina are important for ambulance care assistants, as you may be required to lift and transport patients.
  5. Health and Social Care: If your school offers GCSE-level courses in health and social care, taking them can provide insights into the healthcare field and the responsibilities of care assistants.
  6. First Aid: Consider taking a first aid course to gain basic life-saving skills, which can be valuable in emergencies.
  7. Psychology: Understanding human behavior and the emotional needs of patients can be beneficial in providing compassionate care.

It’s important to note that specific requirements for becoming an ambulance care assistant can vary by location and employer, so it’s advisable to check with ambulance services in your area and research the specific qualifications and training programs they require. Additionally, pursuing further education or training in healthcare or emergency medical services (EMS) may be necessary if you plan to advance in your career or take on more specialised roles within the ambulance service.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College
A college course might give you some of the knowledge and skills required to be an ambulance care assistant.

Apprenticeship
You could also become an ambulance care assistant by taking an ambulance support worker advanced apprenticeship.

Volunteering
You might find it useful to have some health or social care experience before applying for a job. For example, you could volunteer with local government hospitals.

Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs. You’ll need to:

  • have driving experience
  • use a sat nav, map or know the local area
  • have experience working with disabled or elderly people

You might need an extra driving qualification for larger vehicles and carrying passengers.

Working Hours and Environment:

Typically you will work 43 to 45 hours a week, and could work evenings, weekends, or occasionally holidays.

You could work on an ambulance.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could:

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

Related Careers.

Paramedic Emergency Care Assistant Critical Care Technologist Emergency Medical Dispatcher