Qualified Emergency Care Assistant (ECA)

Job Description

Current vacancies at our Crawley, Winchester, Worthing and Peterborough bases for NHS 999 Frontline shifts for full time and self employed staff. IHCD/FQ Emergency Driving and Clean C1 Licence preferred.

An Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) holds a FREC 4 qualification (Or equivalent national award) working in the patient transport area, event medical cover and responds to emergency calls as part of an accident and emergency crew, utilising the enhanced skills and procedures that they have been trained and is within the company scope of practice policy to carry out. They need to be the lead clinician in the absence of a higher clinical grade but seek support. Monitor and treat patients safely and observe patient vital signs. Provide and take relevant information from carers or others at the scene for onward transmission to further care.

Hours:
In accordance with the EU work time directive

Location:
All Sites

Contract Type:
Full Time, Part Time and Zero Hours

Shift pattern:
Various Shifts including days, nights and weekends.

Based at one of our sites in Sussex and Hampshire, they work shifts, going out in all weathers at all hours, sometimes working in difficult conditions such as in confined spaces and on the strategic road network.

You will find that no two shifts will be the same. They could be transferring patients to out patient appointments, a sick child to a specialist centre or attending trauma cases at an event.

ECAs drive a range of ambulance vehicles under normal and emergency (blue light) circumstances and carry out checks to vehicles at the start of and during each shift, to make sure they are clean, have fuel and are appropriately stocked.

They need to know how to use all of the medical and life support equipment carried on vehicles that is appropriate to their skill level, and how to assist a qualified EMT or Paramedic.

A key responsibility of the ECA is to make sure that equipment is carefully stored, transported and cared for so that it is always in good working order.

They also need to complete relevant documentation, be familiar with and use communication equipment (including radios and telephones) to inform colleagues about the work they are dealing with.

ECAs will need to work effectively as part of a larger team of people, including other operational personnel (such as supervisors and managers), other healthcare staff (such as Nurses & Doctors) and representatives from other emergency services – including the Fire, Police & Coastguard services.

These are some of the essential criteria you will need to be successful as an ECA:

  • Hold a minimum of FPOSe or FREC Level 4 qualification.
  • A valid full B (Preferably C1) category driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points or any short period disqualification.
  • IHCD or FutureQuals D1 & D2 Emergency Driving qualification (or equivalent).
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to make decisions, take responsibility and respond to a changing workload.
  • Ability to remain calm while working under pressure.
  • Ability to work within a Team environment and alone.
  • Excellent Customer Service / People Skills.
  • Flexible approach to work and shift work.