Newbury - Emergency Care Assistant

Job overview

Is it time to take the next step into a role where you’ll genuinely make a difference every time you come to work?

Then our Emergency Care Assistant role could be the role for you.

As an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) you’ll work alongside clinicians responding to 999 calls attending every kind of accident and emergency, sometimes covering considerable distances, under normal and emergency driving conditions to get to the scene as quickly and as safely as possible.

Our ECA course commences on 23^rd June 2025 from our Education Centres in Bicester or Whiteley.

Spaces are limited and spaces will be allocated based on the strongest application, interview scores and the passing of our fitness assessment. We may hold a small reserve list for candidates in the event of a withdrawal space becoming available.

If you are not successful for this opportunity, there are no deferral options available.

We are recruiting in the following stations ONLY:

Milton Keynes, Stoke Mandeville, Wexham, High Wycombe, Adderbury, Kidlington, Oxford, Didcot, Newbury, Reading, Bracknell, Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Whitchurch, North Harbour, Nursling, Hightown.

Whilst we will endeavour to place you at your preferred station, location is subject to vacancies being available and the needs of the service at that time.

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 for this role.

Main duties of the job

Emergency Care Assistants (ECA) work in a challenging but rewarding role that provides essential support to our qualified clinical practitioners in responding to Accidents, Emergencies and Urgent Care requirements of the public.

No two shifts will be the same, you might be called out to a road accident victim with multiple severe injuries or to someone who has had a heart attack, you could even be transferring a very sick baby to a specialist centre or dealing with an elderly person who’s fallen down the stairs.

We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values of Caring – Teamwork – Professionalism and Innovation in all they do, so if you have experience of remaining calm under pressure, can demonstrate your caring and compassionate nature and don’t mind working shifts, then we want to hear from you now!

You must be able to commit to the full 10-week training programme which commences on 23^rd June 2025. The training course consists of a full corporate induction week, 5 weeks of clinical training which includes basic life support skills, moving and handling and assisting the Paramedic and a 4-week driver training course including Blue Light conditions.

(Training is non-residential, we do not provide mileage, parking reimbursement or accommodation during your training period).

Once you have successfully completed your training, you will continue to six months operationally monitored assessment-training programme, which is monitored locally by your Team Leader.

Working for our organisation

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. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).

All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this 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.

• Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This is going to be a competitive process and we strongly advise you to review the following link with detailed instructions on How to apply for the role

It is important that you read through the job description & person specification for the role before completing your application, you can find these attached.

If your confirmed station is at Wexham or Bracknell, you will also receive 5% High Cost Allowance (Fringe).

Detailed information regarding the criteria required for an Emergency Care Assistant is available within the Job Description and Person Specification, however, some of the essential criteria are:

• Valid UK full B category driving licence and full manual C1 category licence with no more than 3 penalty points. Applications will be accepted with a provisional C1 licence but a full manual C1 category licence must be obtained 6 weeks prior to commencement of training.
• 3 GCSE’s at Grade 4 (C) or above including English and Maths or equivalent qualification. If you can demonstrate experience equivalent to this level of qualification, particularly where this is combined with experience in a similar healthcare or caring role, may also be considered.

Please note – original qualification certificates will be required, if you don’t have copies of these, you will need to request replacement certificates by visiting: gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate.

Driving is an essential skill for this role, C1 or C1 provisional category manual driving licence is essential at the point of application with no more than 3 penalty points. This will be checked and due to the timescales for obtaining C1 provisional, we will not be shortlisting anyone without this category on their licence.

A driving licence summary (check code) will be requested from you at application stage and before shortlisting will take place to ensure you have the required C1 provisional or full C1 licence. We will also be requesting photographic evidence of qualifications to meet the person specification so please be prepared to provide this to our Recruitment team.

Please note - your full C1 entitlement will be required no later than 6 weeks prior to your training start date.

The FAQ document can be found attached below within the documents to download section.

Applicants must be able to complete an interview which will be conducted via Teams, and you will need to undertake a Pre-employment fitness assessment.

Applicants who don’t demonstrate how they meet the Person Specification within their application will not be shortlisted.

Please ensure you demonstrate how you already embrace our values in your current/previous employments or educational settings within your application.

Your supporting information is your chance to articulate why you want to work within the Emergency Care Assistant role, and why we should be shortlisting you.

Top tips:

• Review all person specifications both essential & desirable.
• Fully consider the job you are applying for; what skills/abilities you have to offer, working in a front-line operational setting is extremely rewarding but it can also be both physically & mentally challenging.
• Demonstrate your work journey & why this is the right next step for you.
• Carefully read through your application before submitting.

We are expecting this programme to be very popular and due to the limited spaces available we may close this advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Full UK manual Driving Licence and C1 (provisional accepted at the time of application – must have ‘full’ C1 prior to starting in position if successful) - consider applications who have up to 3 points
• 3 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English and Maths, or equivalent qualification. Functional and Key Skills level 2 will also be accepted. OR Applicants who can demonstrate relevant experience equivalent to this level of qualification, particularly where this is combined with experience in a similar healthcare or caring role, may also be considered e.g. Police Officer, Firefighter or Dental Nurse

• First aid certificate - completed within the last 2 years
• Evidence of self-development CPD / Portfolio

Knowledge & Experience

• Previous experience of working in a customer care role

• Previous experience of working with patients
• Previous shift working experience
• Previous NHS experience

Physical Requirements

• Previous manual handling experience in a professional capacity

Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to communicate effectively: aurally, orally, and in writing
• Ability to use communication and computerised systems e.g. mobile phones, online systems, and email
• Customer Service / People Skills
• Ability to work within a team environment and alone
• Ability to deal with patients in a caring, professional and compassionate manner

Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).

Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.

As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff. You can find out more information here – scasjobs.co.uk/benefits