New pathway for Band 3 Clinicians to help career progression

EEAST is making changes to the pathway for emergency care support workers (ECSW), emergency care assistants (ECA) and similar roles which will help speed up career progression.  

From November 2023, the Trust will be delivering with the University of Cumbria a new Level 4 bridging qualification to support ECAs to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). This will replace the previous apprenticeship programme. The second co-hort is planned for February 2024 and further co-horts will be planned based upon applications and demand through 2024/25. 

Eligibility for the bridging qualification, when it is introduced, requires: 

• Evidence of the Level 3 Diploma Emergency and Urgent Care Support (Futurequals Awards). 
• 18 months of experience in a Band 3 role in operations – from when you commenced on the road (this may have been completion of your training school phase). It does not have to be from when you have achieved the Level 3 Diploma Emergency and Urgent Care Support. 

For others Band 3 clinicians, there are slightly different pathways which are detailed on the application form (see pathway 1, 2 and 3). 

Upon completion of this new bridging qualification, you will be eligible to apply to the apprenticeship paramedic degree programme, which is Level 5 and Level 6 and results in qualification as a fully qualified paramedic and a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science. 

It will allow us to train more people more rapidly, by recognising the experience you have working in pre-EMT roles, and giving you the opportunity to progress your career more swiftly at EEAST. If you have previously applied to an AEMT course and are awaiting an update or start date, please also complete the form to indicate your preferences. 

You can apply here https://forms.office.com/e/mpFg3zrxn5  

The form will close on the 24th October 2023.  

Staff Not in Operations (such as EOC) 

The top-up pathway is designed for colleagues with operational experience of working on ambulances. For those that applied to the AEMT programme already, we are currently allocating colleagues to the remaining 50 spaces on our commissioned EMT apprenticeship with MediPro. In future, the pathway into operations will be to apply to an Emergency Care Assistant course, then complete the skills top-up to achieve EMT level. At this stage the Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship is a development option.  

We have produced a set of Frequently Asked Questions below, but if you feel anything is not covered please email: training.managers@eastamb.nhs.uk.  

FAQs 

When does the expression of interest close? 

The form will close on the 24th October 2023.  

I completed the apprenticeship EMT qualification, but failed the course – can I apply for this upskill? 

Follow pathway 3 on the application form. While it may not be as straightforward as for those with a regulated qualification, we will assess your individual case and look at options with you.  

I completed my skills phase of the Apprentice Emergency Care Support Worker programme, but failed my End Point Assessment, so I am working as an ECA – can I apply?

If you gained your regulated qualification (which would be a gateway criteria) – then yes, follow pathway 1 on the application form. If no, follow pathway 3 on the application form.

I was on a university degree and failed my programme and I am working as an ECA, but have a level 4 exit award, can I apply? 

Follow pathway 3 on the application form. This will need to be mapped to the learning outcomes. 

I am a HCRT member of staff – can I apply? 

No – the HCRT qualification is not equivalent to an Emergency Care Support Worker or Emergency Care Assistant Programme. You can apply to become an Emergency Care Assistant, though.

I am an Ambulance Care Assistant on PTS or working in operations, can I apply?  

No – the ACA qualification is not equivalent to an Emergency Care Support Worker or Emergency Care Assistant Programme. You can apply to become an Emergency Care Assistant though. 

I only have six months experience post completing my training school phase of my course, can I apply?

Yes – you can apply. You will be allocated your pre-study material at 12-months experience and be eligible after 18-months. Time on a waiting list will count towards your experience, as you still work in that role.

I am a call handler or dispatcher in EOC, can I apply? 

No – as you would not have 18-months experience working as an ECSW or ECA.  

Am I guaranteed a place at 18-months experience?

No – It is anticipated there will be high volumes of interest and we will be working to prioritise those with most road experience first. We have a specified allocation to deliver, which we must balance with business and operational need.  

I don’t have GCSE English or Maths grade C or equivalent – can I still apply? 

Yes – but as part of the development, you will need to gain these qualifications and the Trust has a pathway to support this. This is a requirement of moving to an EMT role. 

What will happen if I did an internal emergency care assistant programme? 

We are progressing having all internal emergency care assistant programme accredited by QualSafe. If you completed yours in the past 24 months this will be automatically accredited with a Level 3 qualification, that will then make you eligible to access the Level 4 bridging programme. 

When will the emergency care assistant accreditation take place?

We are actively progressing this with QualSafe and we hope this will be in place in early 2024. 

How will this affect current ECSW/ECA on an AEMT course that has already started?

It won’t. This is a new pathway, so you will continue to complete the AEMT pathway. For those that have applied to an AEMT course, you will be offered a preference and will be directly written to, asking you to use the form to indicate a preference. 

Tuesday 10th October 2023