At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emergency care and support to patients in your community.
- Company: Join a leading ambulance service dedicated to improving patient care across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, career progression, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference every day while gaining valuable skills and experience in healthcare.
- Qualifications: No prior medical experience needed; full training provided.
- Other info: Assessment day required instead of a traditional interview.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a role where you can genuinely make a real difference every time you come to work? A role where no two days are the same?
As an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) you will carry out essential 999 emergency care for people in your community, such as treating wounds and fractures, controlling severe bleeding, attending the birth of a baby or a road traffic collision, all under the direct supervision of a clinician. Based at a local ambulance station as part of a team, you will work shifts, going out in all weathers at all hours, sometimes working in difficult conditions.
No previous medical experience is required to apply. Before you join our frontline operational teams, you will spend your initial weeks in our education centres where you will be trained, leaving you feeling well prepared, confident and able to thrive in your role.
As well as full training, you will also receive:
- An enhanced supportive preceptorship programme to help develop your confidence and support your continuous learning
- Career progression, including a pathway to become a Paramedic
- Enhanced end of shift protections to help ensure your shift finishes on time
- Enhancements for evening and weekend working
Please be aware this vacancy is open to applicants looking to work in Gloucestershire or Wiltshire only.
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 discussion
- Group Task - Team building exercise
- Communication exercise
Once successful at interview you will be placed into a holding pool to await a base station and start date.
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 people's 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
Emergency Care Assistant (Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Only) employer: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Emergency Care Assistant (Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Only)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the role of an Emergency Care Assistant by researching the key responsibilities and skills required. Understanding what the job entails will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness during the assessment day.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills, as effective communication is crucial in emergency care. Engage in group discussions or team-building activities to enhance your ability to work collaboratively, which will be assessed during the group tasks.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the physical assessment by maintaining a good level of fitness. Incorporate exercises that improve your stamina and strength, as this will be vital for handling the demands of the role, especially in challenging conditions.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your compassion and commitment to helping others during the assessment day. Share any relevant experiences where you've made a difference in someone's life, as this aligns with our values and demonstrates your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Care Assistant (Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Emergency Care Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experiences, even if they are not directly medical. Focus on skills like teamwork, communication, and any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to work under pressure.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for helping others and your commitment to learning. Mention why you want to work in emergency care and how you embody the organisation's values.
Prepare for the Assessment Day: Since the application process includes an assessment day, prepare by practising physical assessments, group discussions, and team-building exercises. Show your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what an Emergency Care Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as providing emergency care and working under the supervision of clinicians. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the assessment day.
✨Showcase Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working as part of a team, be prepared to showcase your teamwork skills during group discussions and tasks. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Demonstrate Communication Abilities
Effective communication is crucial in emergency situations. During the communication exercise, focus on clearly articulating your thoughts and actively listening to others. Practice explaining complex ideas simply, as this will be essential when interacting with patients and colleagues.
✨Prepare for Physical Assessment
As part of the assessment day, you'll undergo a physical assessment. Ensure you're physically prepared by engaging in regular exercise leading up to the day. Familiarise yourself with the types of physical tasks you might encounter, such as lifting or moving equipment, to boost your confidence.