Ambulance technicians work as part of a rapid response unit, supporting paramedics and driving patients to and from hospital quickly and safely. In Northern Ireland they are known as emergency medical technicians.

An ambulance technician's key duties are to:

• attend emergency and non-emergency incidents
• decide whether to move patients or give them emergency treatment at the scene
• deal with major injuries, applying life-saving techniques where needed
• treat minor injuries at the scene.

The type of treatments they offer include:

• applying splints and dressings
• using ventilators to free blocked airways
• using specialist equipment – such as defibrillators –  to steady irregular heart beats.

When out on call, ambulance technicians have little warning of the situations they may face. Incidents could involve anything from helping someone back into bed after a fall or attending a major traffic accident.  

Technicians will be in regular contact with the ambulance control room during the working day. They will often work with members of the police and the fire services at major incidents, to ensure safety for themselves and the public.

Hours and Environment

Ambulance personnel in the NHS work around 40 hours a week. A technician works rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays. Part-time positions are available.

A great deal of time is spent out on the road. The work involves a lot of heavy lifting, carrying and bending. Technicians are responsible for routine checks on their vehicle and its equipment.

Technicians wear a uniform and at times may wear protective clothing.

Technicians face some difficult situations, including adverse weather conditions, multiple traffic accidents or aggression from people with psychiatric problems or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Skills and Interests

As an ambulance technician, you will need:

• to be warm, outgoing, caring and enjoy helping people
• to be able to work with all types of people
• good driving skills
• a strong sense of responsibility
• good organisational skills
• the ability to take the initiative and enjoy being part of a team
• good communication skills
• the ability to stay calm under pressure
• physical and emotional stamina
• a steady hand to carry out emergency treatment.

Entry

The ambulance service in the UK is organised on a regional basis and run by district health authorities or NHS trusts. Each ambulance service sets its own entry requirements, and recruitment procedures will vary between regions. It is essential you contact your local ambulance service for further advice regarding their specific entry criteria.

Some ambulance services will only recruit technicians from existing employees already working in an ambulance care assistant role (see job profile); contact your local ambulance service for details.

Generally, to become an ambulance technician you must be at least 18 years old, hold a clean, full, manual driving licence, and pass the selection tests set by the ambulance service you wish to work with.

If you passed your driving test after 1996, you may need to gain an extra driving qualification (known as C1 and D1) which will enable you to drive passenger carrying, medium sized vehicles. Some ambulance services may provide support to candidates through this extra driving qualification, however, this is not standard practice. All new entrants must pass a medical, and many services conduct a police check.

Many services will look for applicants with a good general standard of education, and others will specifically require you to have at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English language, maths and a science-related subject, or equivalent.

Experience of dealing with the public, especially the sick, disabled, and elderly is valuable, and a first aid certificate is likely to be helpful. Previous work which involved driving may also be advantageous.

Training

As a trainee technician working with an ambulance service, you undertake a period of intensive training which lasts around 12 weeks. This induction programme incorporates pre-hospital emergency care, advanced driving skills, physiology and anatomy. You are regularly assessed throughout this period.

Following successful completion of the induction training programme, you are required to work under supervision at an ambulance station for up to a year before becoming a qualified technician.

Once qualified, you attend regular training and reassessment sessions to ensure your skills are kept up-to-date.

Opportunities

Most ambulance personnel are trained by and work for the NHS, although there are some opportunities to train and work in the armed forces or private ambulance services.

Ambulance technicians can usually apply to become ambulance paramedics after they have gained at least one year’s experience of emergency work as a fully qualified technician; check the ambulance paramedic job profile for details.

Opportunities also exist in the ambulance control room, in a training role, or in human resources.

Employment in the ambulance service is generally stable. To find a post, applicants may need to relocate.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A fully qualified ambulance technician can earn around £19,800 a year.
Additional allowances may be paid to staff on standby, and to those based in London or the south east.

Further information

28 Wilfred Street
Derby
DE23 8GF
Tel: 01332 746 356

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk Friars House
157-168 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8EZ
Tel: 020 7928 9620 PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655