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Ambulance care assistant
How to become an ambulance technician
You can become an ambulance technician by applying for training opportunities on our recruitment website. You’ll need to have a good standard of education and a full UK driving licence, including C1 classification.
What is a ambulance technician?
Ambulance technicians work with paramedics to deliver high-quality pre-hospital care. They provide a front-line response to accidents and emergency incidents, including 999 calls.
They provide immediate care to people in very difficult and challenging environments. Most importantly, ambulance technicians need to be able to keep calm under pressure, make good decisions and take control.
Find out more about the role of an ambulance technician.
Starting your career as ambulance technician
Choosing subjects at school
To become an ambulance technician, you need a good standard of education. Subjects include:
- English
- Biology
- Maths
Speak to your guidance teacher or careers adviser about subjects offered at your school.
Work placements and volunteering
You may find it helpful to get some healthcare experience by doing a work placement or volunteering. You’ll get training, increase your knowledge, and learn new skills. This could help you when applying for a new job with NHSScotland.
Education and training pathway
As a trainee, you'll complete a Scottish Ambulance Service internal education programme lasting 16 months. You will be an employee of the service from your start date and enrolled in a bespoke clinical programme. Training includes:
- 10 weeks of classroom training
- a 4-week Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving
- placement at an ambulance station
You will need to pass 2 qualifications to become an ambulance technician:
- Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners, equivalent to SCQF level 7
- Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving at SCQF level 6
Once training is complete, you’ll be allocated to an ambulance station, where you’ll receive ongoing learning and support from qualified staff.
Get to know the role
As an ambulance technician, you'll work with qualified paramedics to deliver the highest possible level of care possible. It could include working in a range of environments and with a range of people.
Patient needs and emergency situations are different every day. Ambulance crews must manage the challenges they face with flexibility, compassion, and professionalism.
Your main tasks could include:
- carry out basic scene safety checks to assess the risk to yourself and other people
- assess, treat, and monitor the patients that you attend
- request additional support from the emergency control centre
- safely transferring patients to and from the ambulance
- make sure the ambulance is clean, roadworthy, and fully stocked after every call
- complete a handover report with a record of all patient information
You'll also need to have excellent geographical knowledge of your work area and use GPS systems to navigate safely.
You’ll need these skills:
- caring for people
- communicating
- relationship-building
- decision-making
- collaborating
- focusing
You could work with:
- paramedics
- emergency call handlers
- emergency dispatchers
- ambulance care assistants
- other emergency services
You'll be based in an ambulance station, but while on shift, you could be working in these settings:
- hospitals
- people’s homes
- care or nursing homes
You’ll also work in a range of urgent, emergency, and critical out-of-hospital environments, providing essential care and support.
Learning and development
You must keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career. The Scottish Ambulance Service will provide training specific to your role.
Career progression
As an ambulance technician, you may progress to become a paramedic.
You'll need to complete an undergraduate degree in Paramedic Science. In Scotland, 5 universities offer approved degree programmes:
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Queen Margaret University
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Stirling
- The University of the West of Scotland
Find out more about Paramedic Science degree programmes on My World of Work.
Professional bodies
As an ambulance technician, you can register voluntarily with the following organisations:
Explore careers
Discover the skills and qualifications you’ll need for each role and what the work will be like.
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Help with recruitment
We'll guide you through the recruitment process, from applying online to interview preparation.
Help with recruitment