How to become an ambulance care assistant
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college qualification that would give you some of the knowledge and skills required in this role, for example:
- Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
- T Level in Health
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
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Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship as an ambulance support worker.
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
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Volunteering
You may have an advantage if you've worked or volunteered in a health or social care role. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for advice about this.
Organisations like Do It can help you to find volunteering opportunities.
First aid work would also be useful, for example with St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs. You'll need:
- driving experience
- the ability to read maps and knowledge of the local area
- experience of working with the elderly or disabled people
Some ambulance services may ask you for 4 GCSEs, including English, maths and a science at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.
If you passed your test after 1996, you may need an extra driving qualification for larger vehicles and for carrying passengers.
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Further information
You can find out about becoming an ambulance care assistant from Health Careers.