Join the team and Careers in the ambulance service make a difference Careers in healthcare science 2 Welcome to the NHS The NHS offers a huge range of exciting and challenging opportunities for people who are passionate about making a difference. With more than 350 different careers on offer, there is a job for you no matter what your interests, skills or qualifications. What’s more, you’ll be given every opportunity to build on your skills and learn new ones as part of the Career Framework – a system that demonstrates our commitment to skills development. See pages 10 and 11 for more information about this. Scientists, accountants, porters, psychologists, nurses, information technologists and estate managers, to name but a few, are all needed to ensure the smooth running of the NHS. These people, and many more, work together as a team to deliver the very best care for our patients. To find out more about becoming a member of the NHS team, call 0345 60 60 655, email [email protected] or visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk We look forward to hearing from you! Contents 2 The NHS – a rewarding place to work 12 What opportunities are available? Benefits Ambulance care assistants Pay and conditions Assistant practitioners Work-life balance Call handlers Emergency medical dispatchers 6 Your career in the ambulance service Paramedics Patient transport services controllers 10 Career Framework Senior paramedics Developing your career in the NHS 16 Getting started NHS Constitution Entry level/assistant roles Graduate opportunities and approved courses Work placements 19 What’s your next step? Foreword In this booklet you’ll learn about the exciting range Whatever your academic background, preferences of opportunities that today’s ambulance service has and interests, if you would like to help others in a to offer. role where the job satisfaction doesn’t get much higher, then the ambulance service is right for you. Healthcare is changing rapidly in response to modern It offers a flexible working environment, excellent needs, and emergency care is now one of the key benefits and a wealth of opportunities to develop developing areas. This is set to continue, bringing your career. with it new roles. The NHS Careers team The ambulance service is not just about responding to a 999 call with an emergency ambulance crew. For more information about working There is also a team of people with different roles in the ambulance service, please visit who provide the vital back-up, as well as the www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/ambulance non-emergency patient transport service, that is so valued by the community. If you have any questions, call our helpline on 0345 60 60 655 or email [email protected] 2 Careers in the ambulance service The NHS – a rewarding place to work There are few careers that are as rewarding as one in the NHS, or that give you the opportunity to work with such a variety of people. We actively recruit people of all ages, backgrounds On top of your basic salary, you will receive at and levels of experience. This helps us understand least 27 days’ holiday each year, plus a range of the different needs of the patients we serve every other benefits including occupational health and day and provide the best possible care. counselling services. Whichever area you join, you become part of a Join one of the UK’s best pension schemes talented, passionate team of people, committed to The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most providing the best care and treatment to patients. generous and comprehensive in the UK. Every new You will also enjoy one of the most competitive and employee automatically becomes a member and you flexible benefits packages offered by any employer will get an excellent package of pension benefits, in the UK. fully protected against inflation and guaranteed by the Government. Benefits of working in the NHS Everyone who joins the NHS is guaranteed a salary For more information about the pension that matches their ability and responsibilities, and scheme, and a full list of the benefits included, given every opportunity to increase it through please visit training and development. www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/payandbenefits PAY AND CONDITIONS The NHS pay system, known as Agenda for Other benefits of working in the NHS include Change, offers real benefits for all directly training, occupational health services, automatic employed staff except doctors, dentists and membership of the NHS Pension Scheme (unless very senior managers, including: you choose to opt out) and study leave for • a standard working week of 37.5 hours sponsored courses. • holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, To find out more about the different Agenda plus eight general and public holidays, for Change pay bands, and to see the most rising to 33 days after ten years’ service up-to-date salary information, go to • pay enhancements to reward out of hours, www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/payrates shift and overtime working • better career and pay progression based on the application of knowledge and skills • annual personal development review to support career aspirations. telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in the ambulance service 3 FULFIL YOUR POTENTIAL • The NHS is committed to offering • As part of the Knowledge and Skills development and learning opportunities Framework, within Agenda for Change, for all full-time and part-time staff. you will be encouraged to extend your range of skills and knowledge and take • No matter where you start within the NHS, on new responsibilities. you’ll have access to extra training and be given every chance to progress within the See pages 10 and 11 for more on the organisation. Career Framework and an example of how an employee has progressed • You will receive an annual personal review through the NHS. and development plan to support your career progression. 4 Careers in the ambulance service CASE STUDY Name: Nick Sillett Job title: paramedic with London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Entry route: graduate in Paramedic Science Nick wanted to be a paramedic from a very time on the road. The sat nav system directs early age. In fact, as a young child, he spent us to where we need to go, but map reading more time in the first aid section in his local skills are definitely an advantage. pharmacy than the toy department. At school, he had the opportunity to do some In my opinion, a paramedic science degree is work experience at an ambulance station, more demanding than most. While other which confirmed his choice. students are on holiday, paramedic students are completing placements with the service, To be a good paramedic you need a variety of advanced driver training, manual handling skills and attributes as well as the academic and lifting assessments. During the summer knowledge. You’ll need a good level of fitness, break, there are several weeks of incident common sense, good communication skills, a simulation to consolidate your learning sense of humour and patience. Driving ability is throughout the year. obviously important as we spend such a lot of Being a 24 hour, 365 day service, all paramedics are expected to work both day and night shifts, which are generally 12 hours long. The best thing about my job is simple – the ability to help people. And my best day? Easy. The first time I delivered a baby. Bringing new life into this world makes up for some of the ones that you can’t save. Paramedics are expected to work both day and night shifts, which are generally 12 hours long telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in the ambulance service 5 Helping you find the right work-life balance As well as advice and support for people looking The NHS is committed to maintaining a healthy after sick or elderly relatives, we may be able to work-life balance for all NHS staff. There is a real provide a range of childcare services for all NHS focus on specific areas that are designed to make employees, including: your life easier at certain times during your career. • nursery care These include: • after-school and breakfast clubs • flexible working and flexible retirement • holiday play schemes • childcare provision and support for carers • emergency care. in the workplace • coping with stress • training and development Get more information about the benefits • tackling discrimination, bullying and harassment. and opportunities offered by the NHS at www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/payandbenefits You can find more information on health and well-being at work at www.nhsemployers.org/healthyworkplaces Manage your commitments in and out of work To be a successful member of the ambulance team it is likely you will be required to work unsocial shifts, including evenings, weekends and nights. However, the size and diversity of the NHS means we can offer you a range of flexible working opportunities. Part-time roles and job-share opportunities are often available, as well as term-time only, evening and weekend positions. We will do everything we can to help you combine your work for us with commitments in your everyday life – whether you’re studying for a new qualification, raising a family or have other responsibilities. Many people take an extended break to look after young children or other dependants who need special care, or to study full time. We will help you combine your work for us with commitments in your everyday life 6 Careers in the ambulance service Your career in the ambulance service The priority of the ambulance service is no 999 call, decide rapidly what action is needed and longer simply getting patients to hospital as then ensure that it happens.