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Emergency care assistant

Alternative titles for this job include

Emergency care assistants support paramedics responding to accidents and emergencies.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

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 do a college course to give you some of the skills and knowledge you need to become an emergency care assistant.

Courses include:

  • health and social care
  • T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

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

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'll find it helpful to get some health or social care experience before applying for a job. For example, you could volunteer with:

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become an emergency care assistant. You'll usually need:

  • driving experience
  • experience in patient care, ideally in the NHS
  • a first aid certificate

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 find out more about how to become an emergency 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
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • 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 ambulance 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 emergency care assistant, you could:

  • drive ambulance vehicles
  • respond to medical emergencies and accidents
  • support paramedics to carry out essential emergency care
  • monitor patient health during ambulance journeys
  • maintain radio contact with the control room
  • complete a patient handover report at the hospital
  • maintain stocks of medical supplies and equipment

Working environment

You could work on an ambulance or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a team leader or supervisor, with responsibility for a team of emergency care assistants.

With experience, you could apply to train as a paramedic.

You might also train as a healthcare assistant or nursing associate. You could then go on to full nurse training, or work in other areas of healthcare.

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

Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) Award

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 25 February 2026
  • Location: Paignton

Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 March 2026
  • Location: HACKNEY
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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