Associate Ambulance Practitioner
(AAP)
Are you a future clinician?
(V1) Jun16
Introduction
This document outlines what it will take to become a fully qualified Associate Ambulance
Practitioner (AAP) with the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST). The role is exciting but it
can also be daunting at times. To ensure you make the right decision for your future we have
provided all the information you will need to make an informed choice. Our recruitment and
training process is reassuringly thorough as ultimately you will be responsible for saving people’s
lives, looking after patients and offering support to their families and friends. For that reason we
take great pride in welcoming your interest and assessing your suitability at every opportunity to
ensure that you make an informed choice which is the right one for you and the Trust.
What does the development process look like?
To become a qualified AAP with EEAST a training programme has been specially designed. Your
journey to become a qualified AAP has 4 stages:
1. Recruitment and selection for EEAST as an employee
2. Successful completion of the EEAST in-house initial AAP clinical training course (14 weeks)
3. Successful completion of the EEAST in-house emergency driving course (4 weeks)
4. Successful completion of all remaining elements of the AAP programme – including a
period of development and reflective practice (the whole programme is anticipated to take
between 12 – 18 months to complete). Successful completion of all elements will result in
an accredited Level 4 award and sign off as a qualified Associate Ambulance Practitioner.
You will see from the flow chart below – completion of the Level 4 award will provide an
opportunity to progress to Level 5 training, via internally advertised opportunities, if you wish to
develop your skills further and apply to train to become a Paramedic.
(V1) Jun16
East of England Ambulance Service
The Trust covers six counties which make up the East of England - Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and provides a range of services, but is best known for
the 999 emergency service. Our dedicated and skilled staff work 365 days a year, 24 hours a day
to make sure patients receive the best possible care.
Our diverse area is spread over approximately 7,500 square miles and contains a mix of rural,
coastal and urban areas – from Watford to Wisbech and Cromer to Canvey Island. Our services
are tailored to meet the needs of each community’s differing medical and environmental needs.
The Trust employs around 4,000 staff and 1,500 volunteers to deal with some 912,474 calls every
year. In addition the Trust handles more than one million non-emergency patient journeys to and
from routine hospital appointments.
EEAST is one of eleven ambulance NHS trusts in England. We provide urgent and emergency
care to people who call 999.
We also provide a range of non-emergency services in the form of patient transport.
What makes a good Associate Ambulance Practitioner
You need to think very carefully before making an application. We often find that people apply for
the wrong reasons and so you have to be honest with yourself. Your motivation of ‘why do you
want this role’ is key in determining if you will be successful.
There is more to being an AAP than driving fast under blue lights and sirens. It’s also more than
wearing uniform. There is a strong focus on working within the NHS Constitution, conducting
yourself with integrity and providing the 6 ‘Cs’ :






Commitment
Care
Compassion
Competence
Communication
Courage
So it does come down to one thing – your patient.
You will be dealing with a range of situations. Sometimes a call may be particularly distressing and
some may be relatively low acuity. For this reason the change of pace in an average working day
is huge and you will need the emotional resilience to cope with that.
If you feel you could cope with the pressures of the role then you’ll want to know what qualities you
need to succeed. We look for people who have a commitment to patient care, who are dedicated
and who are able to meet the standards of our rigorous training course.
You need to think about whether you can build a career on the foundations of working for the NHS
with the public and in public life. Do you have qualities to act with:






Tact
Discretion
Integrity
Empathy
Honesty
Respect
Can you share our vision to provide an innovative, responsive, excellent patient and community
focussed and clinically driven service?
(V1) Jun16
Do you want to be part of our mission to provide a safe and effective healthcare service to all our
communities in the East of England?
Will you take pride in our values of Care, Teamwork, Quality, Respect, Honesty?
You also need to give some thought as to whether you want a job that starts and finishes at the
same time each day, a job that means you are free every weekend, or every bank holiday? If you
don’t, keep reading!
Terms and conditions
Everyone is always interested in what their salary will be and for good reason:
On appointment to the AAP training course you will start at the bottom of Band 4 and progress
through the spine points, via incremental increases, until you reach the top of the pay band. Pay
Band 4 ranges from £19,217 - £22,458pa.
Successful applicants will also receive an unsocial hours’ payment of up to 25% payable when
undertaking operational duties on a rostered shift, which includes evenings and weekend working.
Unsocial hours’ enhancements are payable once operational following successful completion of
the initial training course (18 weeks) and are calculated based on a review of your hours, every 13
weeks.
Some areas attract an additional 5% pay enhancement due to their proximity to London.
You also need to be aware that you will be employed as a relief member of staff - As a ‘relief’ you
will be required to work from a number of different stations in a set geographical area. Your work
base will, therefore, be wherever you are required to work on a particular day and you will not be
able to claim mileage for your journey to and from work. You won’t have a rota pattern either so
your shifts will change every week, meaning you will work an average of 37.5 hours and should
expect to work on weekends and public holidays.
(V1) Jun16
The station groups which you can be assigned to are listed below. Keep in mind that you need to
commit to being able to work from all of the stations in a set group.
Group Name
Stations in Group
Essex South East
Southend, Rayleigh, Canvey, Shoebury, Great Notley
Essex South West
Basildon, Thurrock, Brentwood, Billericay, Wickford,
Coringham
Essex West
Essex Mid
Harlow, Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Epping, Stansted,
Saffron Walden, Ongar
Chelmsford, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Braintree,
Dunmow, Halstead
Essex North
Colchester, Greenstead, Clacton, Weeley, Harwich, Frinton
Suffolk West
Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall, Sudbury, Newmarket,
Thetford
Suffolk East
Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Saxmunden
Norfolk West
Fakenham, Downham Market, Kings Lynn, Swaffham,
Wisbech, Hunstanton
Norfolk Central/East
Waveney
Cambridgeshire
South
Cambridgeshire
North
Cromer, Longwater, Dereham, Attleborough, Diss, North
Walsham
Waveney, Potter Heigham, Beccles, Northgate
Cambridge, Ely, Haverhill
Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neot, Peterborough, March
Bedfordshire North
Kempston, Ampthill, Biggleswade, Shefford + Sandy
Bedfordshire South
Luton, Leighton Buzzard
Hertfordshire North
East
Letchworth, Royston, Stevenage, Bishop's Stortford,
Welwyn Garden City, Cheshunt, Hertford, Potters bar
Hertfordshire West
Hemel Hempstead, Berkhampstead, St Albans, Harpenden,
Tring, Watford, Borehamwood, Radlett, Metro
Applicants often ask how quickly they can transfer to a designated station and gain a set rota. We
can never promise when that will be possible but you do need to commit to working on relief
initially rather than assume you will be automatically able to move to a rota. It takes a certain type
of person to undertake shift work so please carefully consider your personal circumstances before
making an application. As an AAP your first priority will always be your patient and sadly their
needs do not reflect traditional office hours.
(V1) Jun16
Recruitment Process- to EEAST for Trust Training element
Here is a brief overview of what is expected once you make an application:
Stage
Application
Process
Shortlisting
Stage 1
Numeracy Assessment
Literacy Assessment
Highway Code Assessment.
Interview
Fitness Assessment
Driving Assessment
Stage 2
Waiting List
Conditional
offer
Outcome
We will review your application to
see if it meets our essential
criteria, as listed on the job
description. If it does you will be
invited to attend the next stage.
You will need to pass all 3 of
these papers in order to progress
to stage 2.
You will need to pass all 3 of
these elements in order to join
our waiting list.
You will be placed in an applicant pool
with other successful candidates. We
will then look to match you to a suitable
training course.
Once a suitable course becomes
available we will then instigate all of
your pre-employment checks.
Please note that you must pass all of the selection methods on your first attempt in order to
progress. Should you fail to reach the required standard in any element of the selection process
you will be offered one re-sit opportunity, if requested. Those unsuccessful on the second
attendance will need to take a minimum 3 month break before looking to make a fresh application.
Please make sure you advise the Trust of any reasonable adjustments you require to be
considered in order to attend any assessment.
Further details on the assessments within stage 1 and 2 are listed below.
Stage 1
Driving Assessment Stage One
You will undertake a Highway Code written paper. This is multiple choice and includes written
questions and road signs. Please read your Highway Code carefully to prepare as candidates often
underestimate this element and we see a significant number of people fail because they have not
revised.
Literacy and Numeracy Assessment
A defined assessment will be used to test your literacy and numeracy skills. The aim of the
numeracy test is to look at your ability manipulate numbers as applied to volume, weight, and
length. Calculations relating to addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, decimals,
percentages, ratios, rounding, interpreting graphs and charts and using formula will be tested. The
function of the literacy test is primarily to assess comprehension and written communication.
Stage 2
Driving Assessment Stage Two
This will take the form of a practical driving assessment in an Ambulance size vehicle (this could
be in a Trust or hire vehicle). The examiner will be looking to see if you have maintained the
standard you achieved when you passed your driving test with the Department of Transport, and
will assess your confidence and safe handling of a larger vehicle. The assessor is looking to
confirm your suitability to undertake the intensive 4 week emergency driving course. You must
(V1) Jun16
bring a full copy of your driving licence in order to complete this assessment. The licence must
show you have held a full car licence for at least 1 year. For those who do not hold a licence issued
in the UK, you will be required to apply for a UK licence prior to your start date in post, following
confirmation of a conditional offer of employment.
Interview
This will be conducted by two members of the Trust, at least one of whom will be an operational
member of staff. The interview will be an opportunity to explore your understanding and motivation
to become an AAP as well as your suitability to the role. This is also an opportunity for you to find
out more about working for the Trust.
Fitness Assessment
The test is designed to assess your ability to carry out peak demands of ambulance work. EEAST
need to ensure that you have sufficient physical ability to cope with extreme work demands, as and
when these occur, and to minimise the health/injury risks known to exist within low fitness groups
when regularly engaged in such physical work. We will of course look to make reasonable
adjustments to the tests in the interests of equal opportunities.
The assessment will ask you to demonstrate your fitness against the following areas:

Grip strength – Varied depending on your gender and age

Press- Up – You will need to complete the required number of press-ups within 1
minute. The amount required will vary depending on gender and age

Plank – you will need to hold a plank position for 60 seconds

Work related test - You will wear a 10 kg weighted jacket and asked to walk 25
meters followed immediately by two minutes going up and down a step (15cm high)
to 60 bpm set by a metronome. You will then remove the jacket. This is followed
immediately by two minutes of compressions on a Little Anne. Once finished a 10kg
weight will be collected and then walked a further 25 meters.
Further information on preparation and the required standard will be issued when we invite you for
your stage 2 assessments.
Once you have read through all of the information you should consider the following before making
an application
Do you have:
1. 5 GCSE’s / ‘O’ Levels at grade C or above, two of which must be in Maths and
English, or equivalent academic qualification which comprises a high level of health
or science content
Y/N
2. Full UK manual driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points (dependant on
code) currently on your licence and 1 year driving experience on a full licence
Y/N
3. Self-motivated and commitment to your personal and professional development
Y/N
4. Interpersonal communication and social skills (including non-verbal)
Y/N
5. Experience in dealing with a range of age and social groups in difficult and
challenging circumstances and/or caring for people in a health or social care
environment and/or ‘customer care’ environment either in a paid or voluntary basis
Y/N
Y/N
(V1) Jun16
6. Do you have your own transport?
Pre-Employment Checks
Before joining EEAST you will need to evidence certain pieces of information. Please find these
detailed below:
Check
References
Stage
Once you are
made a
conditional offer
of employment
Work Health
Assessment
Once you are
made a
conditional offer
of employment
Enhanced
Disclosure &
Barring
Service (DBS)
Once you are
made a
conditional offer
of employment
Exposure
Prone
Procedure
Once you are
made a
conditional offer
of employment
Qualifications
Stage 2
Ability to live
and work
within the UK
Stage 2
Proof of
identity
Driving licence
Stage 1 and
Stage 2
Stage 1 and 2
(V1) Jun16
Details
A reference (satisfactory to the Trust) from any
organisation who has employed you within the last 3
years. We will consider other references in certain
cases such as those who are self-employed or have
been in full time education.
Work Health assessment screening to ensure you are
physically able to undertake the full range of duties and
meet DVLA Group 2 driving standards. Please refer to
the DVLA website for more information on the Group 2
standards
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act, therefore you must declare all criminal
convictions, cautions and offences on your application
form. This information will not be used for decision
making purposes until you are approached with a
conditional offer of employment
A blood sample test is required for health clearance for
posts which involve Exposure Prone Procedures,
which will be taken and fully discussed at the work
health assessment medical with the Trust’s
occupational health provider.
Further information about the Trust policy on Exposure
Prone Procedures will be provided prior to attending
the work health assessment medical.
Evidence of all the qualifications you hold. Original
certificates will be required. Any conditional offer is
dependent upon this evidence.
Appropriate residency information and any visas will
need to be declared to confirm your ability to live and
work within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Island.
Photo identification must be provided, in original form
Your licence needs to confirm you have held a full UK
car licence for at least 1 year and that you do not hold
more than 3 penalty points. An online check with DVLA
will be carried out prior to completing the driving
assessment at Stage 2 of the selection process
C1 Category
You are able to apply and sit all elements of the recruitment process without holding a C1 category
on your licence. If you are successful in all elements of the process you will be placed on a waiting
list. We will not approach you to offer a course until you have obtained a Provisional C1 category
on your licence. Once you are allocated a course you will then need to obtain a full C1, which will
involve taking a practical assessment. You cannot start with the trust until you have a Full C1.
To obtain a Provisional C1 you will need to apply to the DVLA and make a trip to the GP to obtain
medical clearance. This can take up to 8 weeks to organise so we would suggest you look into
obtaining the provisional as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for us to receive notice of
course places at relatively short notice and so having this provisional category as soon as possible
will mean you are in the best possible position to gain a course place.
Training Information
The aim of the AAP training programme is to provide you with the skills and abilities to achieve the
level 4 award. The successful completion of this accredited programme will also provide you with
the criteria to apply for progression to the level 5 award. You will need to declare information
relating to your character and your health on application. As an AAP you will receive support in the
clinical environment while you work your way through this 12-18 month programme. You will have
access to mentors, who will provide advice and guide you to support your clinical practice. You will
be required to provide commitment.
When you first join the Trust it will be for your initial training period, which consists of a 14 week
clinical training period, in one of our centres at Norwich, Melbourn, Chelmsford or Stansted (other
sites are occasionally used). We look to allocate you to your closest training centre. You will also
complete a 4 week driving course at our centre in Barton Mills, Suffolk or another designated driver
training facility. During the training course it is your responsibility to attend in full, on each day. So
you will need to consider the costs and travel expense of attending these venues.
The training course is aimed at helping you to pass. There will be occasions however when you
may struggle with certain elements and we ask that you make your tutors aware. Our tutors will
suggest study materials to help and talk through learning opportunities with you. Ultimately you
must pass all of the exams and assessments within the course. If you are unable to pass any
element of the course then unfortunately you will have your offer of employment withdrawn and
you will leave the Trust.
Summary
We hope that all of this information has been useful in helping you identify if you wish to become
an Associate Ambulance Practitioner. Thank you for considering your future with EEAST. We
wish you every success in whatever you choose to do with your career.
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
(V1) Jun16