Ambulance care assistant
Look after elderly and disabled people by driving them safely to their hospital appointments and taking them home afterwards.
Also known as: patient transport service (pts) driver
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£423
Entry level
£462
Experienced
Monthly
£1,833
Entry level
£2,000
Experienced
Yearly
£22,000
Entry level
£24,000
Experienced
3,700
people are currently employed
High growth
300 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would be responsible for safely driving elderly or infirm people to their appointments at hospitals, healthcare and social services. You'd assist them in and out of the ambulance and take them home afterwards.
The people you drive may be frail or ill as well as being anxious and worried. Some patients will be elderly, have physical disabilities or mental health problems. Your kindness will reassure and comfort the patients and their relatives.
You would:
Help people out of their home and into the ambulance (which may involve some lifting)
Take them to their appointments on time
Take them home and make sure they are settled in before leaving
Carry out routine care of ambulance equipment and daily vehicle checks
Keep accurate records of journeys
You will often see the same people on a regular basis, some of whom may be lonely and vulnerable.
In some ambulance services, you could be trained to work in a high dependency team, where you would regularly drive patients with specific medical problems. You would keep in contact by radio or telephone with support staff at the control room who would give you advice about how to help the person if there was a medical emergency.
Most jobs are in the National Health Service, working for the Scottish Ambulance Service. You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the ambulance care assistant page on the NHS Scotland Careers website. See the learning and development section for information about career structures, progression and rates of pay.
Hours
Environment
Travel
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Ambulance care assistant'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Ambulance technician Offshore medic
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Life sciences Healthcare
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- taking responsibility
- social conscience
- respecting
- empathising
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
- building relationships
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Care
Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
Although there are no formal entry requirements, three subjects including English, Maths and a science subject is recommended.
Any qualifications that demonstrate understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
Skills for Work Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6)
SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF Level 3-5)
Some experience in care work.Experience in a driving job, preferably with larger vehicles.
All applicants must:
Pass the Scottish Ambulance Service entrance test, including a retention and recall test, fitness test and driving assessment
Have a full current UK driving licence, including categories C1 and D1, for a minimum of two years
Pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Ambulance care assistant'