Associate Ambulance Practitioners

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway Associate Ambulance Practitioner is 168 credits.

Entry requirements

There are no specific qualifications required for entry to this apprenticeship Pathway.

Apprentices should:

• Show enthusiasm for working in the health sector
• Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills on which the apprenticeship will build
• Have a suitable level of physical fitness to perform some aspects of the job roles (e.g. assisting in the moving and handling of people)
• Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks
• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work rotas

Individual health sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. a current driving licence would also be an advantage (and may be necessary for some roles).

Initial Assessment

Training providers and employers will use initial assessment to ensure that applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability and to tailor programmes to meet individual needs, recognising prior qualifications and experience.

• 5 GCSE’s at Grade ‘C’ and above, including Maths, English or Welsh and Science subject, or equivalent qualifications, e.g. NVQ’s, C&G’s Access Courses, Nursing.
• DVLA Group 2 medical standards for driving High degree of integrity
• Clear DBS record with no serious convictions
• Mature outlook with mental and emotional resilience Confident with compassionate and professional approach
• Current driving licence for Class C1 with a maximum of 3 endorsement points, and no convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Willing and able to work shifts
• Ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post
• Able to meet Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust Occupational Health standard for this role

Applicants to this Apprenticeship will be from different age groups, with differing backgrounds and experience. As a guide, applicants may enter via a range of routes including from:

• work

• work experience

• school

• college

• training and/or experience which may include a portfolio showing what they have done

They should also:

• Be able to work in a team

• Carry out their duties meticulously

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 4: Associate Ambulance Practitioner

Level 4: Associate Ambulance Practitioner Qualifications

Participants must achieve both of the following combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

To satisfy the requirements of this apprenticeship Pathway an apprentice will need to complete a total of 1923 on and off-the-job training hours over 18 months.

Off-the-job training

For this apprenticeship Pathway an apprentice will need to complete a minimum of 883 hours (including mentoring, appraisal, induction ERR etc) off-the-job training hours.

How this requirement will be met

Off-the-job learning will comprise:

Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners (490 GLH)

Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (150 GLH)

Level 2 Essential Skills Wales in Communication (60 GLH)

Level 2 Essential Skills Wales in Application of Number(60 GLH)

Level 2 Digital Literacy Skills(60 GLH)

Organisational Induction (22 hours )

Mentoring (36 hours = 2 hours per month)

Appraisal (5 hours = 2 appraisals)

Off-the-job training undertaken before the apprentice started their apprenticeship may count towards the off-the-job training required for the apprenticeship if it was undertaken in relation to an accredited qualification contained in the Pathway for which a completion certificate is to be applied for.

On-the-job learning will comprise:

Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners (960 hours)

Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (80 hours)

On-the-job and off-the-job training hours are delivered through one or more of the following methods: individual and group teaching; e-learning; distance learning; coaching; mentoring; feedback & assessment; collaborative/networked learning with peers; guided study.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

None

Job roles

Trainee Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Trainee Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Work as part of the wider Emergency & Urgent Care setting, have direct contact with service users, providing high quality & compassionate care. As part of an ambulance crew, respond to emergency & urgent calls providing emergency & urgent assistance, driving safely & progressively at high speed.

Progression

On completion of this pathway, learners may progress onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A range of qualifications are available for use within the health sector. These may include further qualifications, a range of Higher Education qualifications or other work-related education and training to support continuing Professional development.

The Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners has been specifically designed to support progression to Higher Education Professional Health Programme at University. This would allow progression to, for example:

• BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

• BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice

Progression should not just be seen as vertical. In some instances, progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection, recruitment and employment. All promotional, selection and training activities must be monitored and comply with legislation.

There is a gender imbalance within the health sector, which is a predominantly female workforce. All jobs are open to both males and females and are advertised accordingly. Male role models are positively promoted through marketing materials, photos and case studies. However, a perception that certain job roles are for women remains and this may prevent some males from applying to work in these job roles.

Local apprenticeship programmes may be designed by employers to encourage a higher number of male applicants into these roles and into the workforce as a whole.

Skills for Health is not aware of any other imbalance in the take up of this particular Pathway eg by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. For all health apprenticeships local recruitment is encouraged to reflect the local community.

Skills for Health will monitor take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships and take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Delivery and assessment

Apprentices will achieve Employee Rights and Responsibilities requirements as part of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust Induction Programme and the completion and achievement of the Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from:

Welsh Government

DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

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