Job summary
Join the NHS as a Patient Transport Service apprentice and take the first step into a meaningful and hands-on healthcare
career. As an apprentice, you'll be trained to deliver essential elements
of clinical care and support individuals with complex medical needs. This 13-month apprenticeship offers a structured blend of classroom learning and real-world experience, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to support patients safely and compassionately. The programme begins with four weeks of intensive classroom-based training in Shoreditch, led by experienced clinical ambulance and paramedic tutors. During this phase, you'll cover theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on practical skills. Following classroom learning, you will transition into workplace-based learning at Newham University Hospital, where you'll receive mentorship from seasoned Ambulance Support Workers.
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.
Main duties of the job
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.
In this role, you will be responsible for safely operating ambulance vehicles, including those adapted for wheelchair access, ensuring a smooth and professional driving experience. You will assist patients with care and dignity as they enter and exit the vehicle, using appropriate moving and handling equipment. Your duties include providing reassurance and emotional support to patients, many of whom may be anxious or unwell. Strong communication skills are essential for interacting effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and medical conditions. You will also be expected to maintain vehicle cleanliness and complete accurate journey documentation in line with standard procedures.
Additionally, you will learn and apply basic life-saving techniques, such as resuscitation and identifying deteriorating patients, and use on-board medical equipment to support their care.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in
the country, and one of Britains 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.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 youll 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.
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 patients 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 youll 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.
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 patients 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 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
Desirable
- 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 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
Desirable
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
