Ambulance Care AssistantNHS

Job summary

As an ACA, youll provide non-emergency patient transport, helping people attend hospital appointments, access treatment, or return home safely. Youll ensure every journey is dignified, comfortable, and delivered with genuine care.

What you'll need:

• Full UK driving licence (less than 6 points and over 21 for insurancepurposes)
• A caring, professional attitude with great interpersonal skills
• All training is provided for this role, however, relevant experience is desirable

Main duties of the job

As an ACA, youll provide non-emergency patient transport, helping people attend hospital appointments, access treatment, or return home safely. Youll ensure every journey is dignified, comfortable, and delivered with genuine care.

What you'll need

• Full UK driving licence (less than 6 points and over 21 for insurancepurposes)
• A caring, professional attitude with great interpersonal skills
• All training is provided for this role, however, relevant experience is desirable

Job description

Main Purpose of the Job

• Safely care for and transport non-emergency PTS patients and support event medical resilience.
• Ensure timely transportation to hospitals, treatment centres, day units and other care settings.
• Maintain patient safety by assessing risks and following safe working practices.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake PTS duties including wheelchair clamping, patient assessment, manual handling, oxygen therapy, BLS/AED, airway and circulatory management, and medical/trauma emergencies within competence.
• Comply with patient care, safety protocols, policies and procedures.
• Complete practical assessments, skills development and mandatory training as required.
• Work as part of a double crew or independently where required.
• Maintain vehicles and equipment in a clean, safe and serviceable condition; complete daily checks and report defects.
• Provide a patient-focused, professional and supportive service, maintaining dignity, comfort and confidence.
• Safely transport patients and escorts between homes, hospitals, treatment centres and care facilities.
• Drive vehicles in accordance with road traffic law and conditions, prioritising the safety of passengers and other road users.
• Maintain a smooth and comfortable journey appropriate to the patient's condition.
• Maintain communication with local control using approved systems.
• Complete patient journey records and statistical information accurately and on time.
• Use technology effectively to meet contractual KPIs and performance targets.
• Provide appropriate assistance at incidents encountered during journeys and support colleagues where required.
• Secure patients' homes when unattended and safeguard valuables and personal belongings.
• Maintain, secure and restock Nerams equipment.
• Maintain a smart, professional appearance and comply with the business code of conduct.
• Report accidents, incidents and near misses promptly and accurately.
• Assess risks and, where appropriate, patient condition to ensure booked transport remains suitable.
• Provide professional and compassionate care while respecting patient dignity, cultural and religious beliefs.
• Maintain duty of care to patients, carers, relatives and escorts.
• Communicate relevant patient information to hospitals, healthcare, social care and other appropriate staff.
• Maintain flexibility to work weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Maintain competence in manual and mechanical handling equipment, including tail lifts, child/baby seats and wheelchair systems.
• Maintain geographical knowledge of the service area, including hospitals and treatment centres.

Confidentiality

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidance.
• Maintain awareness of Freedom of Information requirements.

Health & Safety and Risk Management

• Follow health and safety policies, safe working procedures and incident reporting processes.
• Report accidents, incidents, risks and near misses promptly.
• Use risk assessments to identify and control hazards.
• Attend mandatory and role-specific training.
• Comply with relevant health and safety legislation.
• Protect the health and safety of patients, colleagues, visitors and others.

Safeguarding

• Safeguard children and vulnerable adults encountered during duties.
• Follow relevant safeguarding guidance, policies and procedures.

Policies, Quality and IPC

• Comply with Nerams policies, procedures, protocols and current legislation.
• Ensure work meets required quality and performance standards.
• Follow Infection Prevention and Control guidance and relevant hand hygiene and PPE policies.
• Complete mandatory IPC training and follow measures to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

Working Relationships

• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with patients, carers, colleagues, members of the public and healthcare professionals.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, hospital teams and operational/control staff.

Governance and Security

• Support safe and responsible services for staff, patients and the communities served.
• Comply with health, safety and information governance requirements.
• Report incidents through the Nerams reporting system.
• Maintain appropriate security within the work area.

Training and Development

• Be multi-skilled and support call centre operations when required.
• Participate in mentoring new staff where required.
• Identify development needs through appraisal and maintain CPD.
• Complete all mandatory training.

Equality and Diversity

• Treat staff, patients and visitors fairly and respectfully.
• Comply with equality policies and meet individual patient needs.

Special Conditions

• Duties may change according to service requirements.
• Enhanced DBS clearance is required.

Person SpecificationEssential Knowledge & Experience

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills gained through dealing with customers or the public.
• Stable education/employment record.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Good communication, literacy and numeracy skills.
• Ability to safely undertake manual handling of patients and equipment.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations professionally, assertively and tactfully.
• Basic IT skills, including Word and email.
• Ability to successfully complete PTS Ambulance Person training and clinical/driver assessment.
• Willingness to undertake required training.

Essential Personal Attributes

• Self-disciplined and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• High standards of personal hygiene and professional presentation.
• Flexible to work rota hours, additional hours, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Able to pass the required occupational health assessment.
• Satisfactory DBS clearance.
• Full driving licence including at least a provisional C1 licence; maximum 3 penalty points for new entrants or 6 for existing employees.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Level 1 qualification such as NVQ1, BTEC Introductory Diploma or equivalent knowledge.
• Two GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above, including Maths and English.
• Evidence of CPD and development of new skills/knowledge within the previous two years.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ambulance operational procedures.
• Knowledge of health and safety.
• Background in healthcare or customer service.
• At least 12 months' direct healthcare experience supported by theoretical and practical on-the-job training.

About us

Who We AreNerams Ltd is a trusted provider of health and social care transport services acrossthe UK. We support patients and communities through a range of specialist non-emergency and emergency transport operations. From frontline ambulance care topatient transport, our teams play a vital role in keeping people safe, comfortable, anddignified during their care journeys.

Everything we do is guided by our vision Aspiring to be better today and evenbetter tomorrow in everything we do and our five core values:

• CareWe put compassion at the heart of our service.
• TeamworkWe support each other to achieve shared success.
• QualityWe go above and beyond to maintain high standards.
• RespectWe treat every individual with dignity and understanding.
• HonestyWe are open, transparent, and accountable.