Job Purpose
The Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) is responsible for providing a safe, professional and compassionate patient transport service to individuals requiring transportation to and from NHS Trusts and other healthcare facilities. The role involves transporting patients safely, comfortably and with dignity, while minimising stress and maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
The ACA will work as an integral member of the BEARS operational team, ensuring that patients receive a safe, reliable and professional service in accordance with company policies, contractual requirements, NHS standards and BEARS values.
The postholder will be responsible for the safe operation and daily care of their allocated vehicle, supporting patients with their mobility and transport needs, maintaining effective infection prevention and control standards, and ensuring all required documentation and vehicle checks are completed accurately.
The ACA is expected to maintain their professional competence through ongoing training, development and competency assessments, including areas such as First Aid, Medical Gases, Ambulance Driving, Moving and Handling, Infection Prevention and Control, and other training identified as necessary for the role.
Key Responsibilities
1. Safe Driving, Ambulance Infection Prevention and Control
- Ensure that vehicles are driven at all times in a manner conducive to patient safety, comfort and dignity, while complying with all relevant Road Traffic Laws and Regulations, the Highway Code and local requirements.
- Drive safely and responsibly at all times, ensuring that personal mobile phones or other distractions are not used or visible while driving.
- Drive with due care and attention, avoiding excessive speed, harsh acceleration, sudden braking, harsh cornering or unnecessary manoeuvring, while maintaining an appropriate and safe following distance.
- Operate emergency warning equipment only when authorised and in accordance with company policy, relevant legislation, training and operational requirements.
- Ensure CCTV, satellite tracking, navigation systems and hands-free communication equipment are functioning correctly. Any defects must be reported promptly and appropriate alternative equipment obtained from Fleet where required.
- Maintain the allocated ambulance in a clean, safe and presentable condition at all times.
- Complete the required infection prevention and control (IPC) cleaning and wipe-down procedures following every patient journey, ensuring all cleaning activity is accurately recorded.
- Drive in accordance with company eco-driving standards and complete all required daily vehicle checks, including tyre pressure checks, ensuring these are accurately documented.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all patient journeys using the designated PDA and associated systems.
- Complete daily checks of the ambulance, medical equipment and consumables, including medical gases, ensuring that all equipment is present, serviceable, in date and fit for use.
- Report any defects, damage, missing equipment, expired consumables or other concerns immediately through the appropriate reporting process.
- Ensure infection prevention and control procedures are consistently followed in accordance with current BEARS policies, NHS requirements and standards agreed with the relevant Trust.
- Decontaminate vehicles following each patient journey and undertake enhanced or deep cleaning where required, ensuring accurate records are maintained.
- Ensure the appropriate level of PPE is worn when undertaking vehicle cleaning, decontamination or other activities requiring PPE.
- Maintain effective hand hygiene and hand decontamination between patient contacts and whenever clinically or operationally required, in accordance with Standard Precautions and applicable infection prevention and control policies.
- Ensure all waste generated during patient transport or vehicle cleaning is disposed of correctly and in accordance with company and Trust requirements.
- Immediately escalate any infection control concerns, contamination incidents or exposure risks through the appropriate operational and clinical channels.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Full Clean UK driving licence with a minimum of 2 years’ UK driving experience.
- Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends and public holidays.
- Hold a nationally recognised ambulance/prehospital care qualification, such as FREC 3, FPOS (I)/(E), or an equivlant recognised Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) qualification.
- GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
- Good knowledge of UK geography and ability to plan safe, efficient routes.
- Good communication, interpersonal and active listening skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to prioritise workload, work under pressure and use initiative.
- Ability to undertake dynamic risk assessments and make appropriate decisions.
- Professional, calm, compassionate and patient-focused approach.
- Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and patient dignity.
- Reliable, trustworthy, adaptable and resilient.
- Willingness to complete and maintain all mandatory training and competencies.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous NHS, ambulance, patient transport, healthcare or social care experience.
- Experience driving larger or van-sized vehicles.
- First Aid at Work, Medical Gases, Manual Handling or Fire Safety qualifications.
- FREC 3/4, FPOS (I)/(E) or equivalent qualification.
- Experience working with vulnerable or mobility-impaired patients.
- Knowledge of CQC and Freedom of Information requirements.
- Previous experience working within a 24/7 or 4-on/4-off operational environment.
Pay: £14.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
