Medical companies, private ambulance services, and hospitals employ ambulance drivers. These professionals are responsible for driving the ambulance quickly and safely, without endangering the life and the health of their passengers. In addition, ambulance drivers help with the loading and the unloading of patients, as well as with various duties at the medical facility they work for. Drivers are the ones who need to ensure their vehicles are always cleaned, cared for, and fueled. If all of these sound enticing and if you are fit enough to lift patients daily, you’ll want to know what the main requirements are to fulfill such a role. This article explains how you can become an ambulance driver in the UK.
Driving an ambulance requires having the adequate driving license category. You should be allowed to drive vehicles weighing between 3500kg and 7500kg.
This means you’ll have to graduate from the C1 education course. This is the right choice for the Ambulance Driver specialty, as it covers the driving capabilities and the safety on the road of larger vehicles. Keep in mind that it doesn’t include driving emergency practices and techniques.
There are two ways to become a paramedic ambulance driver in the UK. The first one is more demanding, as it involves academic studies. Nevertheless, it has a higher potential to bring you closer to your goal to land an ambulance driver job.
The First Method: By Completing A Qualification In Paramedic Science
You’ll need to go to the university to gain your full-time qualification in paramedic science. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to work as an ambulance driver. As a side benefit if you are looking to organize an event in the near future you might want to take a look at event medic.
The Second Method: Work As A Student Paramedic
If you don’t want to follow a full-time university course, you can become an ambulance driver by enrolling in a student role with an ambulance service. This should provide you with all of the safety concepts you need for working as an ambulance driver.
What Is The Necessary Training To Work As An Ambulance Driver?
As previously mentioned, becoming a paramedic professional requires the completion of a paramedic science qualification. If this is your route of choice, you’ll need to accomplish three A-levels that include science.
How To Train To Become An Ambulance Driver?
You should get C1 training and paramedic qualifications. Furthermore, you’d need to finish five GCSEs, including maths and science, with good grades (A to C). Other effective ways of acquiring appropriate qualifications include:
- Health-related education programs
- Science-related education programs
- Relevant NVQs
All of these would bring you one step closer on your path to becoming an ambulance driver in the UK. If you want to enhance your applications even further and to increase your odds to get a job as an ambulance driver, you should try some of the following:
- Acquire healthcare experience either voluntary or paid
- Work for free for an ambulance service
What Are Some Effective Ways To Become A Professional Ambulance Driver In The UK?
Ambulance drivers can find jobs with hospitals or private ambulance companies. They handle the transportation of ill or injured ambulatory patients. Furthermore, ambulance drivers help paramedics with handling the patients into and out of the vehicle. They may also need to administer first aid and help with a wide array of chores at the hospital or company they work with.