Apprentice Ambulance Support Worker (non-urgent pathway)

Summary

Join the NHS as a Patient Transport Service (PTS) apprentice and take the first step into a meaningful and hands-on healthcare career. As an Apprentice Ambulance Support Worker, you’ll do far more than drive patients to appointments. You’ll be trained to deliver essential elements of clinical care and support individuals with complex medical needs.

Wage

£23,874 a year

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Plus high cost allowance

Training course

Ambulance support worker (emergency, urgent and non-urgent) (level 3)

Hours

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

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 6 October 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

20

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

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.

Where you'll work

Glen Road
London
E13 8SL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

MEDIPRO LIMITED

Your training course

Ambulance support worker (emergency, urgent and non-urgent) (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

demonstrate what it means in practice to promote and provide person centred care, treatment and support by obtaining valid consent, and carrying out risk assessments
work in partnership with the individual, their carer, families and the wider healthcare team
promote clinical effectiveness, safety and a good experience for the individual
follow the principles for equality, diversity and inclusion
implement a duty of care and candour
safeguard and protect adults and children; promote the principles to others
follow the principles of the National Prevent Strategy
demonstrate and promote effective communication using a range of techniques
observe and record verbal and non-verbal communication
engage in de-brief/supervision following potential exposure to trauma and serious incident
ensure that all information recorded is clear, concise and accurate
handle information (record, report and store information) in line with local and national policies, keep information confidential and support others to do so; take part in audits
undertake clinical tasks in line with the scope of your own role, being aware of the limits of your competence; adhering to current legislation and policy including:
manage medical and post- surgical conditions during ambulance patient care
convey individuals with own medication and medical devices undertake basic life support and external defibrillation
administer a medical gas eg. oxygen in ambulance patient care
administration of medicines under supervision
communicate with individuals and the people supporting them or involved at a scene using language that is clear and compassionate, checking understanding
carry out patient assessment and physiological measurements as required
support frailty and end of life care
adapt the clinical intervention within the scope of your practice taking into account the impact of mental or physical capacity, a health condition, learning disability or overall wellbeing of the presenting individual
manage own safety and that of others in a range of environments
move and position individuals, equipment and other items safely
use a range of techniques for infection prevention and control, eg waste management, spillage, hand washing, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
work as part of a team, seek help and guidance when you are not sure, escalate concerns in a timely manner to the correct person; support or supervise colleagues as required, delegate well-defined tasks appropriately
work in partnership across the fire, rescue, health and care team in a way that is professional and committed to quality and care of the patient
operate a range of communication electronic devices
prepare a range of vehicles prior to use to ensure all safety aspects are met
operate and drive the ambulance vehicles safely at all times, adhering to the Highway Code, relevant legislation and policies
monitor and maintain the environment, equipment and resources including performing first line calibration on clinical equipment
use equipment and resources in a safe, effective way in line with local policy and procedure
manage stock control

Your training plan

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.

More training information

On successful completion, you’ll achieve:

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF)
Futurequals Level 3 Award in Patient Care Services: Ambulance Driving (RQF)
Futurequals Level 3 Certificate in Ambulance Patient Care: Non-Urgent Care Services (RQF)
Ambulance Support Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship Certificate

This apprenticeship is equivalent to Level A-Levels and carries 48 UCAS points, Which can be put towards accessing careers in nursing, paramedicine, midwifery, and other clinical pathways.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

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

Other requirements

Entry requirements:- - Manual UK Driving License - 1 years’ driving experience- clean driving licence - zero points or driving convictions - You must be 18 or over (no upper age limit, apprenticeships are open to all) - You must have the legal right to work in England - You must not be registered on any other apprenticeship or educational course at the start of the application - You must be able to complete the manual handling tasks required of the role

About this company

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.

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You’ll have access to an enviable set of benefits, like generous annual leave, discounts at lots of places to eat, drink and have fun including health and fitness, mental wellness services, theatres and event venues, family days out and plenty more.

After this apprenticeship

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.

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