Health Education England
Careers in the ambulance service
Caring, compassionate, committed Make a difference with a career in health Welcome Contents
A career for you NHS values and the 6Cs Your career in the ambulance service ...... 4 of compassionate care Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ...... 5 To apply for any job in the NHS or in an There are more than 350 roles in health, and Which role is right for you? ...... 6 many of them are part of a wider team which organisation that provides NHS services, or works alongside other health professionals for a course with clinical placements in the Ambulance service roles at a glance ...... 8 for the benefit of patients and the public. NHS, you’ll need to show how you think the
As well as the NHS itself, a great many large values of the NHS Constitution would apply i Ambulance care assistant/Patient transport service driver ...... 8 and smaller organisations provide healthcare in your everyday work. ii Call handlers/control assistant ...... 9 and work to prevent ill health in the UK. iii Emergency care assistant ...... 10 These include public and private sector The NHS Constitution values are: iv Emergency medical dispatcher ...... 10 organisations, community interest companies, v Paramedic ...... 11 social enterprises and charities, and you could Working together for patients vi Patient transport services controller ...... 12 work for the NHS or any one of these other Respect and dignity vii Specialist paramedic ...... 12 organisations in a health role. Commitment to quality of care Compassion Real-life stories ...... 14 Some roles give you direct contact with Improving lives patients, while in others you are part of a vast Everyone counts Getting started in the ambulance service ...... 20 support network vital to delivering healthcare and preventing ill health, and good team- These values may also be promoted as Next steps and progressing your career ...... 25 working is essential. Some jobs are in hospitals, the 6Cs of compassionate care, which are: others are based in the community: increasingly, Benefits of working in the NHS ...... 28 health and social care services are integrated Care or co-ordinated in order to provide a seamless Compassion Health career framework ...... 30 service for people with a range of needs. Competence Communication We actively recruit people of all ages, Courage backgrounds and levels of experience, Commitment including people who have worked in other sectors or who bring life experience from outside the world of work. This helps us to understand the different needs of patients, families and carers, and to provide the best possible service every day. Find out more about the NHS Constitution and the xCs6Cs at:at
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ nhsconstitution
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/xCswww.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs
Careers in the ambulance service 5
Your career in FAQs the ambulance service Who works in the ambulance Is there financial help to support service team? me while I’m training to be a paramedic? Ambulance service team roles include: In this booklet you’ll learn about the exciting range of opportunities that today’s NHS • ambulance care assistant/ You will not usually receive financial support from ambulance services have to offer. Healthcare is changing rapidly in response to modern Patient Transport Service (PTS) driver the NHS but you should check with the university needs, and urgent and emergency care is now one of the key developing areas. This is • emergency care assistant you’re applying to. Those training through the set to continue, bringing with it new roles. • emergency medical dispatcher/call handler student paramedic route will usually be salaried while • PTS call handler studying on a part-time basis. Use our course finder • paramedic to search for courses in paramedic science: The ambulance service is not just about www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses.
responding to a 999 call with an emergency For more information about How do I train to be a paramedic? ambulance crew. There is also a team of working in the ambulance Where can I train as an emergency people with different roles who provide the service, visit There are two main ways to train as a paramedic - care assistant or for a role in the vital back-up, as well as the non-emergency www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ an approved full-time university course or training Patient Transport Service? patient transport service that is so valued by ambulance that combines working as a student paramedic with the community. an ambulance trust and study at university. Visit our You will usually be trained while you are working If you have any questions, paramedic page for details. You can also search for in the ambulance service - you would not normally Whatever your academic background, you can call our helpline on approved university courses using our course finder do a course before applying for a job, but you preferences and interests, if you would 0345 60 60 655 at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses. should always check the person specification for like to help others in a role where the job or email the vacancy you’re applying for. You can search for satisfaction doesn’t get much higher, the [email protected] Other routes to becoming a paramedic may be vacancies on the NHS Jobs website. ambulance service is right for you. It offers available, depending on local ambulance service a flexible working environment, excellent recruitment policies, so it’s important to check out I want a role maintaining ambulance benefits and a wealth of opportunities to what your local ambulance service requirements vehicles. Which one is this? develop your career. are. Visit the NHS Choices website to get their contact details. The NHS employs motor vehicle mechanics and technicians to check and maintain the ambulance vehicle itself. You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website. Occasionally, there are apprenticeships in motor vehicle maintenance with ambulance service trusts. Visit the NHS Jobs website and the National Apprenticeships website for vacancies.
4 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 5 Which role is right for you?
The priority of the ambulance service is no longer simply getting patients to hospital as fast as possible. Lives are saved by assessing and treating people at the scene of an accident or at the time of the medical emergency. This means highly-trained professionals carrying out life-saving procedures and giving drugs on the spot, sometimes under difficult conditions.
Before the accident and emergency crews take Is the ambulance service right to the road, other members of the trained team for you? take the 999 call, decide rapidly what action is needed and then ensure that it happens. Later on in this booklet you can read about the entry routes available for a career in the If the situation is critical, one of the control NHS ambulance service, whether you are staff might have to talk a distressed caller starting out fresh from school, as a graduate through a life-saving procedure or collect or perhaps looking to move to the NHS from more essential information as the ambulance another career. travels to the scene. As well as any formal requirements, there are The majority of ambulance journeys are non- some other qualities you may need to be a emergency but absolutely vital to patients. successful member of the ambulance team. Day after day, patient transport services, as Some you will learn as your career develops; they are known, carry disabled, elderly and others are personal qualities. These include: vulnerable people to and from outpatient appointments, hospital admissions, day • willingness to work as part of a team centres and clinics. Without them, many • good communication skills people would be unable to carry on leading • good level of fitness and manual-handling independent lives in the community. skills for some roles • excellent driving skills for some roles Members of the ambulance team are also • using your initiative, where appropriate taking on new roles, prioritising 999 calls • ability to make decisions under pressure for example, and assessing and treating • remaining calm when faced with non-emergency patients in GP surgeries aggressive or frightened people and in their own homes. In the next section, you can learn more about the key roles in the ambulance service and where you might fit in.
For more information about the roles and qualifications needed to work in the ambulance service, visit: www. healthcareers.nhs.uk/ambulance
6 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 7 Ambulance service roles at a glance
You can find more detailed information about all the ambulance roles listed below on the Health Careers See real-life stories of people working in website at www.healthcareeers.nhs.uk/ambulance some of the ambulance service roles at the end There are also short videos about some of the of this section. ambulance service roles on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/NHScareers 2
1 Call handler/control assistant
Ambulance care assistant/Patient Call handlers, like emergency medical You might be dealing with a life-or-death Transport Service (PTS) driver dispatchers, have a vital role on the front line emergency, such as a major incident, a heart of the emergency ambulance service. Based in attack or a drug overdose. You might be faced In this role you will drive disabled, elderly, sick Based at an ambulance station or sometimes a control room as part of a team with a with a non-life-threatening situation that or vulnerable people to and from outpatient a hospital, you’ll cover a particular local area supervisor, you will answer the 999 telephone nevertheless needs a response, such as a child clinics, day care centres and routine hospital and might work shifts. calls to the ambulance service from the public with a suspected broken leg. In extreme cases, admissions. You’ll be responsible for looking and GPs. you might have to talk a member of the public after them on the journey and while they are You might be part of a two-person team through an emergency procedure, such as transferred to and from the vehicle. Because using a specially designed ambulance with a Working quickly and calmly, you’ll take the clearing an obstruction from someone’s airway. many of the passengers will be in poor health, tail-lift for wheelchairs, carrying several essential details about the patient’s condition ambulance care assistants also need life-saving people on each journey. Alternatively, you and location, logging them on to the Equally, you might need to persuade skills in case there is a medical emergency. might work on your own, driving a standard computer system. This information is then someone that they should visit their GP or car to transport one or two able-bodied passed on to an emergency medical emergency department rather than calling You will often see the same people on people at a time. dispatcher to make important decisions about out an ambulance. a regular basis, getting to know them. how best to handle the situation. Some of your passengers will be anxious You will make sure that patients are safe and Some ambulance services combine the roles of about their hospital visit and others comfortable during the journey and that they Your job will be to get all the essential call handler and emergency medical dispatcher. will lead isolated lives. They will value arrive on time for their appointment. You will information from the caller, who might be your reassuring manner and the chance also be trained in resuscitation in case a extremely anxious or panicking, as quickly to chat. patient is taken ill while in your care. and accurately as possible. Thinking fast, “The responsibilities include making multi-tasking and using your initiative, sure we have all the resources we you will often work under great pressure. need to do the job and that we hit “I have looked after patients of all our targets for responding to calls ages from birth to death.” on time.” Tyiba Pervaz, PTS driver Graham Robinson, control manager
8 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 9 3 4
Emergency care assistant Emergency medical dispatcher Paramedic
As an emergency care assistant, you are a As an emergency medical dispatcher, you will Paramedics have a highly responsible role, Based at a local ambulance station, you will member of the emergency ambulance crew receive details of 999 calls to your computer often being the senior ambulance service work shifts, including evenings and weekends, attending 999 calls. You will work alongside a screen requesting an ambulance. The healthcare professional in a range of going out in all weathers at all hours of paramedic, helping them to provide patients information will have been collected by a call emergency and non-emergency situations. the night or day. You will work closely with with potentially life-saving care and, where handler. Using your training to assess the type You will be one of the first healthcare doctors and nurses in hospital emergency needed, getting patients to hospital. of emergency, you’ll determine what response professionals to arrive at the scene. You will departments, briefing them as you hand your is needed and, if appropriate, send the nearest probably be the senior member of a two- patient over to their care. Based at a local ambulance station, you ambulance, rapid-response car, motorcycle or person ambulance crew, with an emergency will work shifts, going out in all weathers even paramedic helicopter to the scene. care assistant to support you. However, you As well as contact with your patients, at all hours. You will deal with a range might work on your own, using a motorbike, you will also deal with patients’ relatives of different people and situations, Your speed and accuracy could make the emergency-response car or even a bicycle to and members of the public, some of whom sometimes working in difficult conditions, difference between life and death. While reach your patients. might be hysterical or aggressive. You will such as in confined spaces or on a the crew is on its way, you will probably also often work alongside the police and motorway following an accident. still be passing them further essential You will assess the patient’s condition fire brigade. details so crew members can go straight using your clinical experience, and make You’ll attend every kind of accident and into action when they reach the scene. potentially life-saving decisions about With further training and experience, you emergency, sometimes covering considerable whether the patient can be treated at the could become a member of an air ambulance distances, using your expert emergency Some situations are complicated and the scene or transferred to hospital. In non- crew or you might take on one of the driving skills to get to the scene with the information you receive might be unclear life-threatening situations, you’ll also have developing roles in the community. Here greatest speed possible. and need careful checking. The pace can be to use your professional judgement to you could be based in one of a number furious: you could be dispatching 15 vehicles make key clinical decisions. Most patients of different settings, such as a GP surgery, No two shifts will be the same. You might be an hour as well as dealing with queries from treated by paramedics do not have life- minor injuries unit or hospital emergency called out to an elderly person who has fallen the crews. You will work shifts, including threatening injuries. department. You might need extra training at home or to someone who has had a heart some evenings and weekends. and qualifications for this – see specialist attack in a busy shopping centre. You could In an emergency, you will use high-tech paramedic below. transfer a very sick baby to a specialist centre Some ambulance services combine the equipment, such as defibrillators (which or attend a case of domestic violence. emergency medical dispatcher role with restore the heart’s rhythm), spinal and traction To work as a paramedic in the NHS, you need that of call handler. splints and intravenous drips, as well as to be registered with the Health and Care Under the direct supervision of the paramedic, administering oxygen and drugs. Professions Council. you’ll carry out essential emergency care, such as controlling severe bleeding, treating wounds “When you answer a call you never You will be trained to drive what is in effect and fractures and looking after patients with know what type of incident you are a mobile emergency clinic and to resuscitate possible spinal injuries. You will use a defibrillator going to be dealing with.” and/or stabilise patients using sophisticated “I love the feeling that I’ve helped to resuscitate patients with heart failure and will Claudette McNaughton, emergency techniques, equipment and drugs. You might others in their moment of need.” be trained to give a range of different drugs. medical despatcher be called out to someone who has fallen from Elisha Miller, paramedic scaffolding, for example, or an elderly person As well as your contact with patients, you with a suspected stroke. will also have to deal with relatives and members of the public. In larger or more serious incidents, you will work alongside the police and fire brigade.
10 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 11 5
Patient Transport Service Specialist paramedic Other roles in the ambulance (PTS) controller service
As a Patient Transport Service (PTS) controller, These are more advanced roles to a paramedic If you are based at a GP surgery, you might see To support front-line ambulance service also known as a non-emergency call handler, and may have a range of job titles, including patients who come in with minor injuries, such staff, there are numerous other opportunities you will have a key role in ensuring that specialist paramedic in urgent and emergency as cuts and suspected bone fractures, deciding in human resources, finance, administration, patients who are frail or vulnerable or have no care or critical care, advanced paramedic and whether to treat them yourself or refer them health informatics, estates and motor other means of transport get to their health consultant paramedic. on to the GP or hospital. You might give flu vehicle maintenance. Visit our main website appointments safely and on time. You will vaccinations, take blood samples and carry out for details of these and other careers: book the vehicles that take patients to and You’ll have great scope for extending your electrocardiograms (ECGs) on patients with www.healthcareers.nhs.uk from local clinics, daycare centres and non- role even further with more training and possible heart problems. emergency hospital admissions. qualifications. There are also opportunities for experienced and qualified specialist You could also see patients in their own homes, For more information about roles in Handling requests for transport from patients paramedics to move into managerial, research particularly people with poor mobility. If the ambulance service, visit www. and their relatives and also from healthcare and teaching roles. someone complains of chest pain, for example, healthcareers.nhs.uk/ambulance professionals such as nurses, you will have to you might visit them in a specially equipped record patients’ details accurately and then As a specialist paramedic, you are a car, take their medical history, carry out a full For information about management roles book the vehicle, usually using a computer. paramedic with additional skills and examination and record observations before in the health sector, see our Careers in qualifications that would allow you to deciding whether to refer them back to their management booklet or visit www. You will have to decide which type of carry out more treatments and take on GP or organising an emergency ambulance. healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles vehicle is appropriate for each patient, more responsibility. depending on their mobility and state To search for current jobs, visit of health, and plan the trips to make the You’ll do shift work, including evenings “My specialist role allows me to www.jobs.nhs.uk most efficient use of the vehicles and and weekends, and also on-call work. assess and diagnose injuries and use the drivers. As part of a team, working with other more powerful drugs and equipment healthcare professionals, you’ll have your on the scene that, until recently, As you deal professionally with queries from own area of responsibility and be able to were only used in hospital.” patients, clinics and drivers, you will work provide care independently. Emma Relf, critical care paramedic under pressure a lot of the time, thinking fast and multi-tasking. You will keep a running Working from a response car, GP surgery, check on how the service is functioning and minor injury unit or hospital emergency know the location of all the vehicles in your department, you will assess patients with charge at all times. symptoms and conditions, such as suspected fractures or chest pain. You might also see Based in a central office as part of a team, patients in nursing or residential homes, you may work shifts involving some early schools or prisons. You will take a patient’s mornings and evenings. medical history, examine them and order tests and scans where necessary.
12 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 13 1 Patient transport service
Name
Tyiba Pervaz
Job title
Patient transport service (PTS) driver, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust “I love the daily interaction Entry route with patients.” Access to higher education course
How I got into the role My job involves taking patients to and from routine hospital appointments, transferring them from one I have a certificate in health from Manchester hospital to another and taking them home Metropolitan University, and during my career when they’re discharged or to an intermediate have cared for patients of all ages in various care facility. health settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, voluntary organisations, domiciliary care and While working for the ambulance service, I have ambulance service. My experience includes looking completed an advanced diploma in support after people who have challenging behaviour or services and high dependency training to enable me learning disabilities and I was a volunteer for to transfer patients requiring cardiac monitoring. St John Ambulance for a while too. I have looked after patients of all ages from birth to death. The best bits
What I do I love the daily interaction with the patients as well as the actual driving part of the job. The day goes In 2011, I joined West Midlands Ambulance Service very quickly because I’m always travelling all over NHS Foundation Trust as a Patient Transport Service the West Midlands, and beyond sometimes too. controller. I enjoyed that role but working in an office is not really my thing, so when an ambulance driver vacancy came up, I jumped at the chance to apply. Real-life stories
14 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 15 2 Control manager 3 Emergency medical dispatcher Name
Graham Robinson Name
Job title Claudette McNaughton
Control manager, North East Job title Ambulance Service NHS Trust Emergency medical dispatcher, Entry route London Ambulance Service NHS Trust “It is a big responsibility
Ambulance care assistant* “The opportunities are vast.” Entry route but I enjoy the challenge.”
Call handling training course
How I got into the role What I do How I got into the role When you answer a call you never know what type of incident you are going to be dealing with. I started as an ambulance care assistant on non- Ten years ago I got my present job of control When you join the service as an emergency emergency ambulances. I enjoyed it but I really manager. I head up a control room of more than medical dispatcher, you complete a call handling I am also responsible for making sure that wanted the ‘blue light’ work so, after three years, 100 staff. The responsibilities include making sure training course. Once you finish your training and ambulance crews have as much information as I moved to accident and emergency as an we have all the resources we need to do the job after approximately six months of call handling, possible before they arrive at a scene, so the crew ambulance technician. I was just about to start and that we hit our targets for responding to calls you go back to the training centre to learn how to can give the patient the best treatment. training as a paramedic when I was offered a job on time. dispatch ambulances. as control room superintendent/duty officer. The best bits The best bits At the end of your first year in the service as I was one of a rotating team of six, running an emergency medical dispatcher, you are able Call handling can be stressful and it is a busy the control operation, dealing with all kinds of During my 25 years in the service, I’ve done a range to answer emergency calls and also dispatch job, but it is also very rewarding. Often I am the emergency calls and supervising radio dispatch of different jobs but I’ve always had the back-up ambulances to incidents. first person someone talks to when they are in for vehicles. I loved it. Then, three years later, we and training I’ve needed. I’ve been on courses on an emergency situation and need help. It is a big needed funding for an air ambulance and I was all aspects of management and on dealing with What I do responsibility but I enjoy the challenge. offered the post of general manager in charge of the media, as well as specialist subjects such as generating income. decontamination and protective equipment and I joined the London Ambulance Service as a call As an emergency medical dispatcher you get a lot safety at sports and entertainment venues. handler in 1991 after working in the control room of job satisfaction - knowing that you have helped for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to save a person’s life or helped deliver a baby over In the NHS we try to develop people as much as to Animals (RSPCA). I work 12-hour shifts as an the phone is a great feeling. we can and the opportunities are vast. emergency medical dispatcher.
*Some trusts are now replacing the ambulance I mainly work in the call handling section of the technician role with associate ambulance control room answering emergency calls from people practitioner posts (job titles vary between trusts). including members of public, the police, London Underground staff, GPs and the London Fire Brigade.
16 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 17 4 Paramedic 5 Critical care paramedic
Name Name
Elisha Miller Emma Relf
Job title Job title
Paramedic, Critical care paramedic, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS “I love the feeling that South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Foundation Trust I’ve helped others in “I love the fact that every Entry route Entry route their moment of need.” day is different.” Urgent call taker Trainee ambulance technician
How I got into the role What I do How I got into the role What I do
My first job after school was urgent call taker in the As an autonomous practitioner at the scene of an I started my career in the NHS as a call operator As well as carrying out the full range of usual control centre at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS emergency, I undertake a detailed assessment of in the control room at my local ambulance service ambulance duties and responsibilities, I also respond Trust. I handled calls from district nurses, hospital the patient and carrying out life-saving treatment headquarters, but as soon as I was 21 and eligible, to life-threatening calls. My specialist role allows staff, residential and nursing homes, and GPs, where necessary. I started to pursue my career on the frontline. me to assess and diagnose injuries, and use more and decided on the best type of response for powerful drugs and equipment on the scene that, their patients. We have a wide range of drugs and equipment For the last ten years I’ve worked in a range of until recently were only used in hospital. to ensure patients receive high-quality care at the roles. I trained as an ambulance technician before That experience started me thinking about a career scene, and refer them for the most appropriate becoming a qualified paramedic. I’ve also worked I also work closely with our air ambulance service, as a paramedic and, when I finished my sports ongoing care, whether that’s to hospital, their as a clinical team leader, providing support to other medical director and local hospital departments, studies degree, I got a place on the two-year GP or social services, or a question of showing clinical staff and managing a team. I was keen to such as theatres, A&E and intensive care units, to foundation degree paramedic science programme. the patient how to manage their own care after widen my skills and wanted further responsibilities maintain my skills when I’m not working in the During the course, I worked as a first aider at the the incident. and my trust had just developed a new critical normal ambulance environment. students union during evening events, which gave care paramedic role, which specialises in managing me fantastic experience of assessing people’s The best bits acutely ill and critically injured patients affected The best bits injuries and deciding on the most appropriate by a wide range of conditions, such as trauma. I ongoing care for them. There’s lots of room for career progression in this successfully applied for the post, and after seven I have always enjoyed the buzz of being a role, for example to specialist paramedic in urgent months of training, I gained my postgraduate paramedic but I wanted to develop my skills, so I graduated as a paramedic in summer 2013 and and emergency care or advanced paramedic. Most qualification. I am now studying for my Master’s I jumped at the chance to train as a critical care started work at West Midlands Ambulance Service of all, I love the feeling that I’ve helped others in degree in Paramedic Science. paramedic. I work 12-hour shifts which are long and NHS Foundation Trust. their moment of need, whether it’s a patient having tough but I love the fact that every day is different. a heart attack or an elderly patient who’s fallen over Knowing I have made a positive difference to a and just needs a helping hand to stand up. person’s life also makes the job worthwhile. I work within a supportive team with a great sense of humour which sees me through the difficult days.
18 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 19 Getting started in the ambulance service
Whatever your age, education and qualifications, you can join the ambulance service at Remember that if you’re applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you may be asked to show how a level that’s right for you. You’ll be given every support to develop your career if this is you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work. what you want. There is on-the-job training for every role, so you can earn while you Find out more at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/nhsconstitution and learn. There is also the chance to study for formal qualifications, including a degree. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs
As well as meeting minimum academic you the kind of work you would be doing and Apprenticeships standards, ambulance trusts are keen to view the people you would be helping, and let you evidence of personal development, especially talk with people who are already doing the job. Apprenticeships are often available in experience of working directly with patients or those relating to interpersonal skills and a ambulance services which can provide the wider public. Similarly, roles elsewhere in commitment to working within the community. The number and type of work placements invaluable experience of the workplace. Some administration, business, reception and vehicle or volunteering opportunities available vary, apprenticeship roles may work directly with maintenance could all be really useful if you’re Below are some of the options and entry routes depending on where you are in the country. patients and service users, such as Patient considering a non-patient facing role in the available into the ambulance service team. Experience doesn’t always need to be gained in Transport Service driver or care assistant. ambulance service. Ambulance services sometimes vary in the way the NHS either, so think about the independent The associate ambulance practitioner role they provide training and the job titles they use, health sector, charities and other organisations being offered by some ambulance service Experience gained through an apprenticeship so it’s important to find out what your local where you could provide care for people as a trusts can be entered through a 12 month can boost your confidence and help you to service offers. way of gaining experience. apprenticeship. Other apprenticeships may secure a role in the ambulance service or other be based in administration or involved in healthcare setting. Work placements and volunteering For more information about opportunities maintaining the fleet of ambulance vehicles. in your area, talk to your local trust or Apprenticeship vacancies in health can Doing volunteer work or arranging a work healthcare provider and voluntary Don’t just think about the ambulance service be found on the NHS Jobs website at: placement is the best way to find out if a organisations. You can also find more for apprenticeships. Other organisations www.jobs.nhs.uk and the health profession is right for you. It will give you information on gaining experience at that provide healthcare have apprenticeship Government Apprenticeships website at: experience of the working environment, show www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/experience opportunities that could provide great www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
20 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 21 Entry level/assistant roles
The ambulance service has an excellent record To drive an ambulance, whether emergency As a qualified paramedic, you will be in staff development. Many people in senior or non-emergency, you will need a full, eligible for one of the growing numbers roles – whether in clinical or management (usually) clean, manual driving licence with of part-time and full-time degree and jobs – came in at junior levels with fewer the appropriate classifications as set out by postgraduate courses in the developing qualifications. Local ambulance trusts differ individual ambulance service trusts. area of emergency care. They are run by a in their entry requirements. However, some number of higher education institutions, ask for GCSEs or equivalent vocational Graduate opportunities/approved equipping students with the specialist qualifications, while others will also recruit courses knowledge and skills to contribute to the people with a good general education and/or development and effective delivery of care work experience. To practise as a paramedic, you must in an emergency setting. These qualifications be registered with the Health and Care can lead to a post as a specialist paramedic. Some ambulance service trusts recruit Professions Council (HCPC). To register, you apprentices into support roles, such as must successfully complete a course approved Funding associate ambulance practitioner, by the HCPC. Courses are currently offered at within patient transport services (see the diploma of higher education and degree level Funding arrangements vary from trust to Apprenticeships information on page 21). but moving to degree-only level in the future. trust. For on-the-job training, you will be paid a salary while you learn. Some employers, but When you join, you will be given full training. Some courses are open on a full-time basis not all, will support you if you need the extra Much of your learning will be practical and to direct entrants applying through the driving qualification. on the job, but some will take place in a Universities and Colleges Admissions Service classroom. Once you have had your initial (UCAS), and part-time to those already training, you will spend time working working in appropriate ambulance service Read more about studying to be a under supervision. roles. Some ambulance trusts offer student paramedic at www.healthcareers.nhs. paramedic posts, where you will be recruited uk/studyingtobeaparamedic If you come in as an emergency care assistant, specifically to train as a paramedic while after experience and further training, you will working. Courses last from two to five years, Speak to your careers adviser, have the chance to apply for any available depending on whether you study full-time or call us on 0345 60 60 655 or email student paramedic positions. You will have part-time. It’s important to check entrance [email protected] to find to pass entrance exams and fulfil additional requirements with the university concerned out more about approved courses in selection criteria, competing against other and with the partner ambulance trust/s in the paramedic science. (including some external) applicants, before areas where you want to work. being accepted into a student paramedic position. Alternatively, you could leave your employing organisation and apply for a full- time university course in paramedic science.
22 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 23 Next steps and progressing your career
If you want to work in health, it’s important to find out as much information as you can about the qualifications you need and the opportunities that are available.
If you have decided that you want to join the • Are there any particular skills or experience ambulance service, your next step depends that will improve your chances of getting on your starting point. Health Careers can into your chosen career? provide further information on routes in and general entry requirements. You can also • Have you enquired about opportunities to consult your local careers adviser. volunteer or do relevant work experience?
If you need a degree, you usually need to • Have you investigated further apply through UCAS which provides details of qualifications you might need for the universities offering courses. You can also your chosen role? use the course finder on the Health Careers website to get an approved list: • Have you searched the NHS Jobs website www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses. or spoken to your local trust to get an Each university will be able to tell you what idea of the type of vacancies available? they look for in applicants.
If you are already working but are thinking Whatever position you’re in now, the about a change of career, consider volunteering Health Careers service can help. in your spare time. This is a great way to find Call us on 0345 60 60 655, email out if you like the work, and can sometimes [email protected] lead to a more permanent position. or visit our website at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk Here is a checklist of things you should be doing, whether you’re still at school, To search for jobs, go to studying for your degree or looking for a www.jobs.nhs.uk change of career: For job vacancies with other health • Have you explored routes into your organisations, visit chosen career? Will you need a degree www.gov.uk/jobsearch or other qualification before you join, or will an employer train you on the job For job vacancies in local government, (there may also be the opportunity to visit www.lgjobs.com start as an administrator)?
24 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 25 Here are some other things you can be doing, depending on where you are right now:
Where are What should you do now? Who can help? Fulfil your potential you now? The NHS is committed to offering development The health career framework on p.30-31 makes Studying for Visit www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk Subject teachers and learning opportunities for all full-time and it easy to see at a glance how you can progress your GCSEs Check what your likely exam grades/results will be. Your careers adviser part-time staff. If you work for the NHS, no within your chosen career. Explore routes into your chosen career – will you National Careers matter where you start, you’ll have access to need a degree or other qualification before you Service extra training and be given every chance to Other organisations that provide healthcare join, or will the NHS train you on the job? Professional bodies progress within the organisation. You’ll receive and work to prevent ill health will offer similar Can you start as an assistant? Health Careers an annual personal review and development development opportunities and the chance to Are there any particular skills or experience that plan to support your career progression. review your work. It’s a good idea to discuss will improve your chances of getting into your career development with any employer you chosen career? You will also be encouraged to extend your are considering. Enquire about volunteering or work experience. range of skills and knowledge and take on Find out if you need any specific A-levels, or new responsibilities through the Knowledge equivalent qualifications. and Skills Framework (KSF). The KSF is available Studying for As GCSEs, plus: Subject teachers on the NHS Employers website: A-levels or If you need to study a particular higher education Your careers adviser www.nhsemployers.org/SimplifiedKSF another course course, investigate which universities offer it. National Careers at your school or Investigate any further qualifications you might Service a local college need for your chosen role. UCAS Search the NHS Jobs website at www.jobs.nhs.uk Health Careers and speak to your local ambulance trust to get an Professional bodies idea of current vacancies. NHS Jobs Consider the option of an apprenticeship.
At university As A-levels University careers service Health Careers Professional bodies NHS Jobs
Looking for As A-levels, plus: National Careers a new career Find out if you will need to retrain before you Service apply for new roles or if the NHS will train you Access to Higher Education while you are working. Health Careers If you left school some time ago, visit the Jobcentre Plus Access to Higher Education website at Professional bodies www.accesstohe.ac.uk or contact the NHS Jobs National Careers Service for course details. UCAS
26 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 27 One of the UK’s best pension schemes Health and wellbeing at work and Benefits of working in the NHS your work-life balance The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most generous in the UK. Every new employee The NHS is committed to helping staff to As a member of the ambulance service team in the NHS, you will enjoy one of automatically becomes a member, unless you stay well, including serving healthier food, the most competitive and flexible benefits packages offered by any employer in choose to opt out. promoting physical activity, reducing stress, the UK and a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. You will join one and providing health checks covering mental of the country’s most respected organisations and one which has the values of Other employment benefits for NHS staff health and musculoskeletal problems. compassionate care and staff wellbeing at its very heart. Everyone employed under the NHS Agenda The NHS will help you combine for Change pay system is entitled to: If you work in the private or voluntary sectors or another public sector your work with commitments organisation, your pay and benefits will vary depending on your employer. in your everyday life and at • a standard working week of 37.5 hours different stages of your career - • holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, whether you’re studying for a new plus eight general and public holidays, qualification, raising a family or Your pay in the NHS ambulance service rising to 33 days after ten years’ service have other responsibilities. • pay enhancements to reward out-of- Most jobs are covered by Agenda for would typically be band 4, with paramedics hours, shift and overtime working Change (AfC) pay scales, except doctors, at band 5 and specialist paramedics at band • career and pay progression based on the The size and diversity of the NHS means we dentists and very senior managers. The NHS 6. Your earnings in frontline operational application of knowledge and skills can offer you a range of flexible working and job evaluation system determines a points roles are often enhanced with unsocial hours • annual personal development review to retirement opportunities. Part-time roles and score, which is used to match jobs to pay payments of up to 25 per cent of basic salary, support career aspirations job-share opportunities are often available, as bands and determine levels of basic salary. which reflects the 24-hour nature of the • occupational health services well as term-time only, evening and weekend Each pay band has a number of pay points. service. There are promotion opportunities, • study leave for sponsored courses positions. Many people take an extended Staff will normally progress to the next pay for example to service area managers at band break to look after young children or other point annually until they reach the top of 7, with further managerial roles attracting Many of these benefits apply across the whole dependants who need special care, or to the pay band. higher bandings. of the NHS, although local organisations may study full-time. offer additional benefits such as cycle to work Your career in the NHS ambulance service schemes and nurseries. Many local shops, As well as advice and support for people could start as an ambulance call handler restaurants and services offer discounts to looking after sick or elderly relatives, the NHS or control assistant at AfC band 2, or in a For more information on pay bands and health staff too, including most gyms and provides a range of childcare services for patient transport service role at bands 2, 3 the most up-to-date salary information leisure centres. Health Service Discounts is employees, including: and 4. After appropriate training, if you in your chosen career, visit an employee benefit provider for many NHS have worked as an emergency care assistant www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/pay organisations and offers discounts and deals • nursery care or associate ambulance practitioner, you for NHS staff on shopping, holidays and • after-school and breakfast clubs financial services from well-known brands: • holiday play schemes www.healthservicediscounts.com • emergency care
You can find more information on health and well-being at work at www. nhsemployers.org/healthyworkplaces
Get more information about the benefits and opportunities offered by the NHS at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/payandbenefits
28 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 29 The framework encourages individuals to learn new his story clearly describes his progression and you Health career framework skills and take on extra responsibilities that enable them can follow his career path in the white boxes on the to progress within the organisation. Many people take diagram below, alongside other potential paths in This health career framework has been to move between NHS and independent on additional responsibility within their own area, while the different areas of the NHS. The diagram below designed to improve career development practice jobs as part of your career others retrain and move in to different roles. gives an illustration of a variety of health careers and and job satisfaction for NHS employees. development. where they may fit on the health career framework. The framework doesn’t apply to those The real-life story on page 16 describes how Graham It is not exhaustive; details on other careers can be working outside the NHS. It is possible Robinson has progressed within the ambulance service. found in the relevant booklets and on the Health While entry routes have changed during his career, Careers website.
Senior healthcare Assistant practitioners/ Senior practitioners/ Initial entry level jobs Support workers Practitioners Advanced practitioners Consultant practitioners More senior staff assistants/technicians Associate practitioners specialist practitioners
Patient transport Ambulance care Ambulance technician: Control room Specialist paramedic Advanced paramedic Consultant paramedic Clinical director of service service driver assistant: caring responding to 999 superintendent: for patients on a calls and providing supervising a control non-emergency lifesaving care as part room that deals with ambulance of an emergency all emergency calls, Ambulance
service team ambulance crew and overseeing radio dispatch of vehicles
Therapy clinical Rehabilitation assistant Assistant practitioner - Dietitian Senior occupational Specialist speech and Consultant radiographer Director of therapies support worker dietetics therapist language therapist professions Allied health
Dental nurse Dental hygienist Dental therapist Dental technician Senior dental technologist team Dental care
Healthcare assistant Newborn hearing Critical care Cardiac physiologist Senior biomedical Specialist respiratory Consultant Director of regional (pathology) screener technologist scientist physiologist clinical scientist genetics services (medical physics) science Healthcare
Health records assistant Support desk assistant Medical records clerk Clinical coder Librarian Systems analyst Clinical researcher Pictures archiving Director of information communication manager management and technology Health informatics
General office manager Payroll manager General manager Control manager: Associate director of Director of human community services: area manager for the children’s services resources developing community ambulance service with based emergency oversight responsibility services including GP for all control processes
Management out-of-hours cover and local events cover
Healthcare assistant Maternity support worker Midwife Community midwife Head of midwifery Consultant midwife Director of maternity (maternity) services Midwifery
Nurse cadet Healthcare assistant Senior healthcare Community care assistant Neonatal nurse Community District nurse Nurse consultant in stroke Director of nursing (nursing) assistant psychiatric nurse (team manager) Nursing
Porter Maintenance assistant Security officer Medical secretary Catering manager Chaplain Head of estates team Wider healthcare
30 Careers in the ambulance service Careers in the ambulance service 31 Health Education England
For further copies of this booklet please contact:
Health Careers PO Box 27079 Glasgow G3 9EJ Tel: 0345 60 60 655 Email: [email protected] www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
NHSCB05 May 2016
@HealthCareersUK
/healthcareersuk
32 Careers in the ambulance service