About this role
Job summary Limited Spaces Available - Apply Now
We are recruiting for a small number of Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) vacancies and expect high demand. This advert will close once sufficient applications have been received, so early application is strongly recommended.
Applicants must hold a full C1 driving licence at the time of application. Candidates with only a provisional C1 entitlement are not eligible for this recruitment campaign.
Training will take place in Bicester or Newbury, with most successful candidates starting in November 2026.
About the Role As an ECA, you will support clinicians responding to 999 calls, providing patient care and assisting with emergency and non-emergency driving duties.
Vacancies are currently available only at High Wycombe, Bracknell and Reading, and candidates must be able to work from one of these locations.
Selection Process Selection will be based on:
Application quality Interview performance Fitness assessment Successful candidates will join an ECA waitlist while pre-employment checks are completed. Course places will be offered based on service need and recruitment outcomes. Deferrals are not available.
Eligibility Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Main duties of the job
Emergency Care Assistants work in a challenging but rewarding role that provides essential support to our qualified clinical practitioners in responding to Accidents, Emergencies and Urgent Care requirements of the public.
No two shifts will be the same, you might be called out to a road accident victim with multiple severe injuries or to someone who has had a heart attack, you could even be transferring a very sick baby to a specialist centre or dealing with an elderly person who has fallen down the stairs.
We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values of Caring, Professionalism and Honesty in all they do. If you have experience of remaining calm under pressure, can demonstrate your caring and compassionate nature and do not mind working shifts (including days/lates/nights and weekend working), then we would like to hear from you now.
You must be able to commit to the full 10-week training programme. The training course consists of a full corporate induction week, 5 weeks of clinical training which includes basic life support skills, moving and handling and assisting the Clinical Practitionersand a 4-week driver training course including Blue Light conditions.
Once you have successfully completed your training, you will continue to a six month operationally monitored assessment-training programme, which is monitored locally by your Team Leader and Clinical Team Educator.
About us
Benefits we offer:o Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.o Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).o Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.o Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.o Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.o NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.o Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate InductionIt's really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire) or Bicester (Oxfordshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note - depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
Job description Job responsibilities
This is going to be a competitive process and we strongly advise you to review the following link with detailed instructions onHow to apply for the role
It is important that you read the job description and person specification for the role before completing your application, both of which are attached.
If your confirmed station is at Bracknell, you will also receive 5% High Cost Allowance (Fringe).
(Training is non-residential, we do not provide mileage, parking reimbursement or accommodation during your training period).
Detailed information regarding the criteria required for an Emergency Care Assistant is available within the Job Description and Person Specification, however, some of the essential criteria are:
Valid UK full B category driving licence and full manual C1 category licence with no more than 3 penalty points. 3 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above including English and Maths or equivalent qualification. If you can demonstrate experience equivalent to this level of qualification, particularly where this is combined with experience in a similar healthcare or caring role, this may also be considered. Please note original qualification certificates will be required, if you do not have copies of these, you will need to request replacement certificates by visiting: gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate.
Driving is an essential skill for this role, C1 or C1 provisional category manual driving licence is essential at the point of application with no more than 3 penalty points. This will be checked and due to the timescales for obtaining C1 provisional, we will not be shortlisting anyone without this category on their licence.
A driving licence summary (check code) will be requested from you at application stage and before shortlisting will take place to ensure you have the required full C1 licence. We will also be requesting photographic evidence of qualifications to meet the person specification so please be prepared to provide this to our Recruitment team.
Please note - you must have your full C1 entitlement win order to be eligible to apply for this role.
The FAQ document can be found attached below within the documents to download section.
Applicants must be able to complete an interview which will be conducted via Teams, and you will need to undertake a pre-employment fitness assessment.
Applicants who do not demonstrate how they meet the Person Specification within their application will not be shortlisted.
Please ensure you demonstrate how you already embrace our values in your current/previous employments or educational settings within your application.
Your supporting information is your chance to articulate why you want to work within the Emergency Care Assistant role, and why we should be shortlisting you.
Top tips:
Review all person specifications both essential & desirable. Fully consider the job you are applying for; what skills/abilities you have to offer, working in a front-line operational setting is extremely rewarding but it can also be both physically and mentally challenging. Demonstrate your work journey and why this is the right next step for you. Carefully review your application before submitting. We are expecting this programme to be very popular and due to the limited spaces available we may close this advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full UK manual Driving Licence and C1 (provisional accepted at the time of application - must have 'full' C1 prior to starting in position if successful) - consider applications who have up to 3 points 3 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English and Maths, or equivalent qualification. Functional and Key Skills level 2 will also be accepted. OR Applicants who can demonstrate relevant experience equivalent to this level of qualification, particularly where this is combined with experience in a similar healthcare or caring role, may also be considered e.g. Police Officer, Firefighter or Dental Nurse
Desirable
First aid certificate - completed within the last 2 years Evidence of self-development CPD / Portfolio
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Previous experience of working in a customer care role
Desirable
Previous experience of working with patients Previous shift working experience Previous NHS experience
Physical Requirements Desirable
Previous manual handling experience in a professional capacity
Skills and Aptitudes Essential
Ability to communicate effectively: aurally, orally, and in writing Ability to use communication and computerised systems e.g. mobile phones, online systems, and email Customer Service / People Skills Ability to work within a team environment and alone Ability to deal with patients in a caring, professional and compassionate manner
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address Berkshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
Berkshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
OX26 6HR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://scasjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)