|
Ambulance staff drive ambulances to move sick or injured patients in both emergency and non-emergency situations. If necessary they carry the patient in and out of the vehicle and if necessary practise first aid or resuscitation techniques.
You could work as:- an ambulance care assistant
- an ambulance technician.
The Work
Ambulance Care Assistant
You could be:- driving patient transport, to take people to and from hospitals, clinics or day centres, in non-emergency cases
- helping the person get around, in and out of buildings or vehicles, lifting and carrying on a stretcher when necessary – possibly helping a patient in or out of an air ambulance
- administering first aid and resuscitation
- making sure that the person is comfortable and secure at all times
- reassuring patients and keeping them informed of what is happening
- using a radio or phone to send and receive information
- cleaning the ambulance, making sure all equipment is working and restocking supplies
- checking the ambulance tyres, petrol, oil and water
- keeping records of work done.
Ambulance Technician
You could be doing all of the above and also:
- driving an ambulance to emergency calls, both 999 calls and doctors' urgent calls
- driving, if necessary, at speed and through red lights while constantly watching for road hazards
- deciding how to move and treat ill or injured patients
- using equipment to help patients breathe or to support broken bones
- making reports to medical staff.
Conditions
- Your base would be the ambulance station or hospital but you would spend most of your time in an ambulance.
- As an ACA you would work regular hours during the day but as an AT you would work shifts including evenings and weekends and you may have to work some public holidays.
- As an AT you sometimes have to work in a difficult situation such as at the side of a motorway or on a dangerous hill slope.
- You have to go out in all weather.
- You would wear a uniform or other protective clothing.
Getting In
- You normally start by applying for work as an ambulance care assistant (ACA) although it is possible to apply for Driver-Only vacancies.
- The Scottish Ambulance Service generally asks for 3 Standard grades including English, maths and a science subject.
- You need a current First Aid Certificate.
- Many ACAs apply internally for ambulance technician (AT) posts, but some ATs come directly, usually with 2 Highers.
- Direct recruitment of ATs is usually in rural areas. In rural areas ATs are usually part time.
- You must have a full, UK driving licence, including categories C1 and D1 (if you passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 this will require sitting and passing a further test).
- Experience in care work is useful.
- You must pass an entrance exam, involving maths, Recall and Retention, a driving assessment and a medical test. You must be fit, with good hearing and eyesight. There is also a face-to-face interview.
- To work in this job you must declare any criminal convictions. Certain types of conviction may prevent you from getting in. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
- There is an Intermediate 1 Skills for Work course in Uniformed and Emergency Services which introduces school pupils to careers in the emergency services, the armed services and the merchant navy. Contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority for details.
Within the National Health Service (NHS) applications are welcomed only for specific job vacancies. Job vacancies appear in the Careers section of the Scottish Ambulance Service website, the local press and in Jobcentre Plus centres.
Most ambulance work is with the NHS, but there are also jobs with the armed services. There are some private ambulance companies around the UK including one or two in Scotland.
What Does It Take?
You should be:- able to get on with people from all backgrounds and of all ages
- patient and understanding – you will be dealing with patients who may be distressed or in pain
- reliable and responsible
- able to work well in a team
- adaptable and quick-thinking
- able to remain calm and cope with unpleasant sights
- smart and tidy.
You should have quick reactions, both for dealing with emergency situations and for driving at speed when required.
Training
- ACA training takes place either locally or at the Scottish Ambulance College, near Peebles. There is one week of training in specialist driving skills plus one week of first aid. (Driver-Only applicants get just two days of first aid training).
- AT training starts with a 9 week course at the Scottish Ambulance College and is followed by at least 12 months of work experience with continuous assessment and exams.
Getting On
- You normally start as an ACA and, after further training, move on to become an AT.
- After one year's experience as an AT you can take more exams and have an interview to become a paramedic.
- You might gain promotion to be an A & E Team Leader or PTS (Patient Transfer Service) manager.
Pay
Ambulance staff who work for the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change scales. - Drivers in the Scottish Ambulance Service usually start on Band 2. From April 2010 this is £13,653 to £16,753. When they move on to a higher level they move on to Band 3 (£15,610 to £18,577 a year). Recent vacancies have quoted a salary of £13,299 to £17,732.
- Ambulance technicians in the Scottish Ambulance Service are generally on Band 4 (£18,152 to £21,798).
- Paramedics (see separate job profile) will probably be on Band 5 (£21,176 to £27,534).
More Information
Addresses
The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.
|