Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Ambulance care assistant

Ambulance care assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Patient transport service driver, ambulance staff

Ambulance care assistants take patients to and from hospitals and medical centres for appointments and treatment.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the knowledge and skills required to be an ambulance care assistant.

Courses include:

  • health and social care
  • T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Ambulance Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with an ambulance service.

This can take between 12 and 18 months to complete and combines on-the-job training and study with a learning provider.

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

More Information

Volunteering

You might find it useful to get some health or social care experience before applying for a job. 

For example, you could volunteer with:

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. 

You'll need:

  • driving experience
  • knowledge of the local area and ability to use a vehicle navigation system
  • experience of working with elderly, sick or vulnerable people

Some ambulance services may ask for 3 or 4 GCSEs, including English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications.

More Information

Career tips

You can search for vacancies on NHS Jobs, or contact your nearest ambulance service trust.

Further information

You can learn more about becoming an ambulance care assistant from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a Category C1 licence or C1 provisional to drive an ambulance, depending on when you passed your original driving test. Check with the service you're applying to for details.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an ambulance care assistant, you could:

  • transfer patients to and from appointments
  • lift and help patients in and out of the vehicle
  • make sure patients are safe and secure during journeys
  • settle patients back at home after their appointment
  • keep in touch with the ambulance control room, using a radio
  • carry out basic vehicle checks, and maintain medical supplies and equipment
  • keep accurate records of journeys

Working environment

You could work on an ambulance.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Emergency Care Assistant - Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Park View Baddow Park Estate, West Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex

Apprentice Ambulance Support Worker (non-urgent pathway)

  • Wage: £23,874 a year Annually
  • Location: London
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Healthcare Support Diploma

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 24 September 2025
  • Location: Paignton

HND Healthcare Professions Support for England (HTQ)

  • Provider: OAKLANDS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Welwyn Garden City
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.