How to become an emergency care assistant
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a health or care related course at college. This may give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role.
Courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
- T Level in Health
Entry requirements
You'll usually 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 further advice.
Organisations like Do It can help you 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 usually need:
- 3 or 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and a science subject
- excellent driving skills and current knowledge of the highway code
Some ambulance services may also want you to have experience of working in a patient care setting, ideally in the NHS and with a current first aid certificate.
If you passed your driving 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 more about becoming an emergency care assistant from Health Careers