About this role
Job summary
As an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA), you will provide essential care to those in the community under the direct supervision of a clinician. Responding to a wide range of incidents; treating wounds, fractures, controlling severe bleeding, attending road traffic collisions, and supporting patients during the birth of a baby.
Based at a local ambulance station as part of a team, you will work shifts across a 24/7 service, attending incidents in all weather conditions and sometimes challenging environments.
No previous medical experience is required; however, applicants must hold a full C1 driving licence. Before joining frontline, you will undertake a comprehensive training programme at one of our education centres, giving you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the role.
As part of your development, you will also complete a fully funded Level 3 Ambulance Support Worker Apprenticeship. Meaning you will earn while you learn. Delivered in partnership with MediPro, this nationally recognised qualification combines hands-on experience, structured learning and dedicated support to help you develop your skills.
In addition to full training, you will benefit from:
- An enhanced preceptorship programme
- Clear career progression opportunities, including a pathway to become a Paramedic
- Enhanced end-of-shift protections
- Unsocial hours enhancements for evenings and weekends
Please note this is for bases in Frome, Bridgwater, Shepton and Yeovil starting in early 2027.
Main duties of the job
To provide a continuous duty of care to patients, both clinically and personally. With the assistance of other front-line clinicians and under the level of training and competency of this role. Ensuring an appropriate level of monitoring and treatment is maintained and continued until the patient is either discharged or transferred to the care of another healthcare professional. Recording patient information, in accordance with Trust procedure, and delivering a clear and detailed handover.
Driving all types of approved ambulance vehicles under normal and Emergency (Blue light) conditions, whilst transporting patients or attending incidents.
Carry out general vehicle checks at the start of and during each shift, to ensure the readiness of the vehicle and communications equipment to respond as required.
This position will require an assessment day rather than an interview. This assessment day will include:
- Physical assessment
- Group discussions/Tasks
- Communication exercise
Once successful at interview you will be placed into a holding pool to await a start date.
About us
Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.
In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.
You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.
Benefits
- Competitive NHS salary
- A standard working week of 37.5 hours
- Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Career and salary progression
- Car leasing scheme
- Free parking across Trust sites
- Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
- Staff networks
- Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
Please be aware that if you are successful at interview you will be placed into a Holding Pool to await a suitable vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential
- Full UK manual driving licence with category C1 with no current endorsements (a maximum of 6 points are permitted for some offences).
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 Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Somerset
TA6 4FJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)