Career outlook for ambulance technician
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£23,400
Currently employed in Scotland
1,800
Average UK salary
£23,400
Currently employed in Scotland
1,800
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would work alongside an ambulance paramedic to care for sick and injured people in a range of situations.
You’d use advanced driving skills to respond rapidly and safely to medical emergencies. You’d lift and move patients by hand and using specialist equipment.
You would:
- Carry out basic scene safety checks to assess the risk to yourself and other people
- Assess, treat and monitor the patients that you attend
- Make decisions about the right care for the patient
- Contact the emergency control centre to ask for more support
- Safely transfer patients to and from the ambulance
- Complete a handover report with a record of all patient information
- Check that your ambulance is roadworthy and fully stocked after every call
- Make sure your ambulance is cleaned – particularly to prevent the spread of infections – after every call
On the way to an emergency, you may not have much information about the exact circumstances. You would need to judge the situation and make quick decisions when you arrive.
You’d talk and listen to the patients and their relatives who may be upset, scared and angry. You’d need to treat everyone with dignity and respect in often challenging circumstances.
You’d work closely with other emergency services, relevant authorities and health and social care professionals.
Most jobs are in the National Health Service (NHS), working for the Scottish Ambulance Service. You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the ambulance technician page on the NHS Scotland Careers website. See the learning and development section for information about career structures, progression and rates of pay.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
79%
Part-time
21%
Self employed
0%
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- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Problem solving
- Questioning
- Social conscience
- Filtering
- Making decisions
- Taking responsibility
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Qualifications
You would need to complete the Diploma in Emergency Care Support and the Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners. You'll also need an additional four weeks' driving training to accident and emergency standard.
You will need National 4s or Standard Grades in Maths and English. Alternatively you can undertake an online numeracy and literacy test.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Science subjects
- Care
You will also need
- To pass the Scottish Ambulance Service entrance test including a fitness test
- A full current UK driving licence including category C1, with no more than three points
- To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
Helpful to have
Any qualifications that demonstrate an understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
- Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6)
- SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF Level 3-5)
Some experience in care work.
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