Go back South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Ambulance Care Assistant
The closing date is 18 January 2026
Ambulance Care Assistants Roles in Milton Keynes
Do you have the compassion to reassure a patient living with dementia on their way to a hospital appointment? Can you stay calm and focused when traffic threatens to delay your next collection? Are you resilient enough to support someone coping with a life‑limiting illness?
If so, you could be the perfect fit for our team.
Our Ambulance Care Assistants play a vital role in patient care, ensuring every journey is safe, comfortable and dignified. You'll provide support and reassurance to patients travelling to and from hospital appointments, treating everyone with kindness and empathy.
This is a hands‑on role that involves:
* Driving patients safely across Hampshire
* Assisting with mobility, including lifting and helping patients into vehicles
* Delivering exceptional care and customer service
You don't need a medical background—just a genuine desire to help people, excellent communication skills and patience. Physical fitness is essential, as lifting and moving patients is a key part of the role.
If you're ready for a rewarding challenge and want to make a real difference every day, apply now and join our trusted team.
Main duties of the job
The Role:
* Taking patients to and from their medical appointments and treating them with dignity.
* Moving and lifting patients who need help.
* Driving a long wheel‑base vehicle with manual transmission.
* Shift work. You'll work a variety of shifts from 05:30‑midnight, both on your own and with a colleague.
* Full‑time role is 37.5 hours a week.
The Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) role is a gateway into the Ambulance Service. People who join as an ACA can go on to be Team Leaders or Managers within their area or move to work in the frontline teams or one of the many supports and corporate teams.
About us
Benefits we offer:
* Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
* Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro‑rata for part‑time).
* Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
* Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
* Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
* NHS discounts in over 200+ stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
* Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start.
All new starters need to attend our corporate induction in person, which is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
Note—depending on your role additional training may be required following the corporate induction.
Job responsibilities
This is a competitive process and we strongly advise you to review the following link for detailed instructions on How to apply for the role.
It is important that you read the job description and person specification before completing your application.
Main duties and responsibilities:
* The post holder will plan journeys, taking into account patient appointment timings and routes to ensure an efficient and effective service.
* To drive vehicles safely, considering the passenger, equipment, vehicle and other road users, and complying with Road Traffic legislation.
* To undertake daily vehicle checks to ensure the ambulance is roadworthy (e.g., oil, water, fuel, tyre pressure, lights, warning devices).
* To record vehicle defects in the defect book and in a computerized system as required by policies and procedures.
* To administer ambulance nursing to an appropriate skill level, including administering oxygen in accordance with guidelines.
* To maneuver patients into ambulance vehicles using wheelchairs, stretchers, or other equipment, and secure both patient and equipment.
* To use moving patient equipment and risk‑assess methods based on patient needs.
* To maintain good communications with patients, colleagues and health services to provide an efficient service.
* To operate communication systems supplied or fitted by the Trust.
* To participate in PTS rota and cover shifts and duties as required.
* To complete required induction and core skill training (e.g., first aid, driving, conflict management, manual handling, child protection, health and safety).
* To undertake all training required by the Trust, including core updates.
* To wear and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (uniform, etc.) to the required standard.
* To record information accurately using computerised systems or hard copy and submit it timely.
* To complete any administration information and documentation in accordance with standard operating procedures.
* To complete incident reporting paperwork for patient, self or vehicle incidents.
* To comply with all Trust policies and procedures.
* To participate in the Trust’s response to major incidents.
* To undertake any operational duties required to provide a quality service.
* To work within the Ambulance Competency Framework and associated appraisal scheme and development.
Applicants must be able to complete an interview and undertake a pre‑employment fitness assessment.
Applicants who do not demonstrate how they meet the Person Specification in their application will not be shortlisted.
Please demonstrate how you already embrace our values in your current/previous employments or educational settings.
Your supporting information is your chance to articulate why you want to work as an Ambulance Care Assistant and why we should shortlist you.
We are aiming for a quick turnaround on interviews and fitness assessments, with anticipated dates scheduled for early February. Our goal is to keep the process smooth and efficient.
We have two ACA courses, one in April and one in May, running from our education centres in Whiteley and Newbury.
If successful you will join our waitlist where we will complete your pre‑employment checks. Once you meet the minimum checks, we will contact you to book the next available course.
If you are not successful for this opportunity, there are no deferral options available.
Whilst we will endeavour to place you at your preferred station, location is subject to vacancies and service needs.
This vacancy is for candidates who currently have the right to work in the UK (do not require a visa) as we are unable to provide sponsorship.
See the additional information document attached for more details.
Top tips:
* Review all person specifications – both essential & desirable.
* Consider the job you are applying for; what skills/abilities you have to offer. Working in a frontline operational setting is rewarding but can be physically and mentally challenging.
* Demonstrate your work journey and why this is the right next step for you.
* Carefully review your application before submitting.
We expect this programme to be very popular and may close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Full manual UK driving licence with no more than 3 points for speeding (any offence relating to drink/drugs on the licence will be rejected).
* GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) in Maths or English or demonstrable experience.
* Evidence of self‑development CPD / portfolio.
Knowledge and Experience
* Demonstrable experience as an ACA.
* Knowledge of the Highway Code.
* Awareness of equality and diversity in the workplace and surrounding community.
* Previous patient care experience.
* Previous NHS experience.
* Basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (e.g., biology qualification).
* Geographical knowledge of operational area (Milton‑Kingdom and Hampshire; Eastleigh/Basingstoke/Portsmouth).
Physical Requirements
* Physically fit to undertake all aspects of a patient‑facing role, including use of all patient‑moving equipment.
* Manual handling skills—lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling patients who cannot assist themselves.
* Ability to lift and carry a shared weight of at least 8 st (50.8 kg) between two people.
* Previous manual handling experience in a professional capacity.
Skills and Aptitudes
* Effective communication (aurally, orally and in writing).
* Proficiency with communication and computerised systems (e.g., Terrafix, mobile phones).
* Ability to work within a team and independently.
* Capacity to take responsibility and remain calm under pressure.
* Capability to manage a wide spectrum of individuals in various circumstances.
* Excellent vehicle driving skills, map‑reading ability, and adherence to road safety.
* Ability to work autonomously and make decisions based on skills and experience.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions Order) and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Employer name
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr