Apprentice Ambulance Support Worker (non-urgent pathway)

This is a vital frontline role for those who are compassionate, proactive, and eager to make a real difference in patients’ lives. You’ll be the reassuring face they see on what can be a difficult day, offering both physical and emotional support while transporting individuals with mobility challenges or complex needs.

You will assist qualified healthcare professionals in real-world settings and learn how to recognise and respond to medical emergencies, provide basic life support, and ensure the safe movement and comfort of patients throughout their journey.

This is more than just a driving role, it’s a gateway to a long-term NHS career in frontline care ideal for those who wish to have a varied meaningful job, and also those who wish to start their medical career.

On a day to day basis in your role, you will:-

Safely drive and operate ambulance vehicles, including those equipped for wheelchairs. Making sure that you drive safely and smoothly in a confident manner that is befitting to a professional driver. Assist patients in and out of the vehicle with care and professionalism, including the use of moving and handling equipment whilst maintaining the patient’s dignity. Provide support and comfort to patients, many of whom are vulnerable, anxious, or unwell. Have excellent communication skills, so that you can understand an array of people with different conditions and illnesses. Maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle and record accurate journey logs, following the standard operating procedures of the service. Learn life-saving techniques for use in emergencies, including basic resuscitation and spotting the deteriorating patient. Use medical equipment on board a vehicle to support the care and safety of the patients, have an understanding of a core set of medical conditions so you can fully appreciate the needs and difficulties that patients may be having. Work as part of a dedicated NHS team, often partnering with another crew member, but can be working solo. Have conversations with other medical professionals to receive or handover patients safely, using key terminology and protecting the confidentiality of the patient.

Training:

Ambulance support worker (non-urgent pathway)

The 13-month apprenticeship begins with structured classroom learning led by qualified clinical ambulance/paramedic tutors, covering theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. You will then move into workplace learning, supported by experienced Ambulance Support Workers who will mentor you as you apply your skills in real scenarios. Regular feedback and practical assessments ensure you're progressing toward the End-Point Assessment (EPA) with confidence.

Initial training will be located at Shoreditch for four weeks, then you will be based at Newham University Hospital and expected to transport patients to and from all Barts Health sites and also Barking Havering Redbridge Sites.

What you’ll learn on the training course- 

Clinical skills include CPR, wound care, patient assessment, spotting the deteriorating patient, and support during mental health crises. Advanced driving techniques and operation of ambulance equipment. Patient handling and communication to ensure safety, dignity, and respect. Understanding legal requirements for documentation and confidentiality. How to work a variety of moving and handling equipment safely. Responding to medical conditions such as asthma, heart attacks, diabetes, and trauma. Spotting key signs of deterioration and taking immediate action. Understanding the basic pathological processes that cause diseases, including fundamental anatomy and physiology. Major incident and emergency management skills to act confidently under pressure. What would your role be in a major incident, and how you work within the system. Dangers encountered in a major incident, including radiological, chemical, and terrorist threats. Mental health support and safeguarding your own wellbeing while helping others. Understanding common mental health conditions and how to have supportive conversations with a person in distress. Identify signs you or your colleagues may be struggling with mental health, and what the best course of action would be.

Training Outcome:

On successful completion of the apprenticeship program you will be offered a substantive position.  With this foundation, you can progress into more senior patient-facing roles or pursue further education toward clinical qualifications.

Employer Description:
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers. The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients. Our group of hospitals provide a huge range of clinical services to people in east London and beyond. We operate from four major hospital sites (The Royal London, St Bartholomew’s, Whipps Cross and Newham) and a number of community locations, including Mile End hospital. Around 2.5 million people living in east London look to our services to provide them with the healthcare they need. Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together. We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Working Hours :
Generally you will work a 5 day week and follow a shift pattern that will include working evenings and weekends.

Skills:
Communication skills,Problem solving skills,Team working,Non judgemental,Patience,Good interpersonal skills,Able to use own initiative,Positively embraces change,Recognise and respond to risk,Ability to work under pressure,Sympathetic to patients needs,Professional calm & effective