Emergency Care AssistantNHS

Job summary

Emergency Care Assistant (ECA)

Our ECAs support paramedics in providing urgent care during emergency callouts. Youll assist with patient assessments, administer treatments, and operate ambulance vehicles with care and precision.

What you'll need:

• Full UK driving licence and blue light qualification (CERAD or IHCD)
• Relevant Clinical Qualifications (e.g. DAEUCS or FREC4, etc.)
• The ability to assist and support clinicians in their clinical practice

Main duties of the job

Emergency Care Assistant (ECA)

Our ECAs support paramedics in providing urgent care during emergency callouts. Youll assist with patient assessments, administer treatments, and operate ambulance vehicles with care and precision.

What you'll need:

• Full UK driving licence and blue light qualification (CERAD or IHCD)
• Relevant Clinical Qualifications (e.g. DAEUCS or FREC4, etc.)
• The ability to assist and support clinicians in their clinical practice

Job description

Emergency Care Assistant (ECA)Main Purpose of the RoleThe Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) supports clinically qualified practitioners in providing safe, effective and high-quality pre-hospital care. The role involves responding to medical and trauma emergencies, inter-hospital transfers, urgent hospital admissions, patient transport and other operational duties appropriate to the ECA scope of practice.

The ECA will drive NERAMS vehicles under emergency, urgent and non-emergency conditions where appropriately trained and authorised. The role will work under the direction and/or supervision of a clinically qualified practitioner, such as a Technician, Paramedic, Paramedic Practitioner, Emergency/Community Care Practitioner or Clinical Supervisor.

All duties must be carried out in accordance with NERAMS policies, procedures, protocols, legislation and the ECA scope of practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Support clinically qualified practitioners in the delivery of safe and effective pre-hospital patient care.
• Respond to emergency, urgent and patient transport calls as required.
• Drive NERAMS vehicles safely and appropriately in emergency, urgent and normal driving conditions, where qualified.
• Assist with emergency clinical scene management under the direction of a qualified practitioner.
• Safely transfer patients to and from vehicles using appropriate equipment and manual handling techniques.
• Complete patient report forms and other documentation accurately and in accordance with NERAMS policies, legislation and Caldicott requirements.
• Communicate with patients, relatives, colleagues, emergency services and healthcare professionals in a calm, caring and professional manner.
• Maintain patient dignity, respect and confidentiality at all times.
• Undertake dynamic risk assessments and request additional support where required.
• Use NERAMS equipment, vehicles and facilities safely and efficiently and report any faults.
• Complete vehicle and equipment checks at the start of duty, ensuring vehicles are clean, stocked, equipped and operational.
• Maintain adequate medical supplies and dispose of clinical waste appropriately.
• Maintain the skills and competencies required within the ECA scope of practice.
• Complete all statutory, mandatory and role-specific training.
• Maintain effective communication with the Operations Centre and keep them informed of operational availability.
• Act as a first responder to appropriate incidents within the ECA scope of practice when required.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults.
• Report accidents, incidents, risks and near misses in accordance with NERAMS procedures.
• Attend court or provide evidence when required.
• Assist colleagues with operational duties, including:
• Cleaning vehicles and equipment.
• Replenishing and restocking stations and vehicles.
• Completing incident, police, coroner or other required reports.
• Refuelling vehicles and checking general roadworthiness.
• Reporting vehicle or equipment faults.

Confidentiality and Information Governance

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott guidance and NERAMS policies.
• Ensure personal and clinical information is only shared appropriately.
• Maintain awareness of Information Governance and Freedom of Information requirements.

Health and Safety

• Follow all NERAMS Health and Safety policies, procedures and safe working practices.
• Report accidents, incidents, hazards, risks and near misses promptly.
• Participate in risk assessments and actions designed to reduce risk.
• Attend mandatory Health and Safety training.
• Take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of patients, colleagues and members of the public.
• Promote a safe working environment at all times.

Safeguarding

• Safeguard children and vulnerable adults encountered during the course of the role.
• Follow relevant safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Recognise and report concerns relating to child protection, abuse or vulnerable adults.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Follow current Infection Prevention and Control guidance and NERAMS policies.
• Comply with hand hygiene and PPE requirements.
• Complete mandatory IPC training.
• Take appropriate measures to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

Working RelationshipsThe post holder must maintain professional, respectful and effective relationships with:

• Patients and relatives/carers.
• NERAMS colleagues.
• Operational teams.
• Emergency services.
• Healthcare professionals.
• Members of the public.

Effective communication and teamwork are essential to the role.

Quality and Governance

• Ensure all work meets required quality and performance standards.
• Follow NERAMS policies, procedures, protocols and relevant legislation.
• Report incidents through the appropriate NERAMS reporting system.
• Support safe and effective service delivery.
• Comply with Health and Safety, Information Governance and security requirements.

Personal Development

• Maintain the skills and competencies required for the ECA role.
• Complete all mandatory and statutory training.
• Participate in appraisals and identify learning and development needs.
• Undertake training and development required to maintain competence and professional standards.

Equality and Diversity

• Treat all patients, visitors and colleagues fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
• Comply with NERAMS equality and diversity policies.
• Ensure services are delivered in a way that recognises and responds to individual patient needs.

Personal and Professional StandardsThe post holder is expected to:

• Act professionally, respectfully and with compassion.
• Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Follow instructions and work within the ECA scope of practice.
• Maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Follow NERAMS policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and professional working environment.

Essential Requirements

• Ability to work under the direction and supervision of a clinically qualified practitioner.
• Ability to work safely within the ECA scope of practice.
• Appropriate driving qualifications and authorisation to drive NERAMS vehicles.
• Ability to undertake patient handling and manual handling safely.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, colleagues and other professionals.
• Ability to complete accurate patient and operational documentation.
• Ability to work safely in emergency, urgent and non-emergency environments.
• Willingness to complete all mandatory and role-specific training.
• Ability to comply with NERAMS policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
• Enhanced DBS clearance is required due to the nature of the role.

Special ConditionsThis job description is not exhaustive and duties may be amended in response to operational requirements, following discussion with the post holder.

The role requires an Enhanced DBS check due to the nature of the work.

The post holder must comply with NERAMS policies, procedures, legislation and professional requirements throughout their employment.

About us

Who we areNerams Ltd is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated independent ambulance service with a wealth of operational and educational experience. The directorate of the organisation combines healthcare professionals, operational managers, logistics and systems experts, and educators to provide leadership and systems that maintain a high level of service to all users.

Our core values:

• Care
• Teamwork
• Quality
• Respect
• Honesty