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Ambulance crew unions and a range of healthcare professionals have expressed reservations about having ambulance services employ a large number of ECAs, both before and after the change. Unions representing ambulance workers had fears that the workforce changes could lead to an increase in the risk
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and also to lower costs. By 2011 there were 2000 people working as ECAs in the United
Kingdom. The role has varied scope across the country, as it is defined by the local ambulance service policy, although the role primarily involves assisting ambulance clinicians. ECAs are typically trained with
71:
The
Emergency Ambulance Crew (St John Ambulance) qualification is regarded to be equivalent to an Emergency Care Assistant. They can render initial aid and assist with the management of a patient, but cannot make clinical decisions in the context of 999 work. They are permitted more autonomy on
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Another issue is the amount of driving an ECA has to do during a 12-hour shift, as driving time regulations do not apply to emergency services. Whilst either of the crew members may drive when responding to an emergency case, the paramedic is more likely to attend a patient during an emergency
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ECAs who wish to progress to become a paramedic will need to complete a
University degree, Some employers do provide structured training to support this, with an expectation that it would take at least two and a half years for an ECA to complete this on a part-time basis.
87:(EEAST) which aims to help ECAs progress to technician within 1 year of their basic training; by November 2015, most ECAs working for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) have made the transition from ECA to Technician on this programme.
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In
December 2014, after a steep rise in the number of paramedics on long term sick leave suffering stress, Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they would be bringing back the technician role.
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Each regional ambulance service determines its own criteria around what is needed to become an ECA. They are amongst the lowest paid front line staff in the NHS, typically being paid at
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to patients as well as adding to the workload of paramedics and had written to East
Midlands Ambulance Service to ask for the reintroduction of the technician role.
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emergency driving skills. They may carry out basic diagnostic procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic. The
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405:(Press release). East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST). 25 November 2014. Archived from
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There is a route for some ECAs to progress to
Technician level. A training programme is run by the
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134:"Emergency Care Assistants replace paramedics for 999 calls as cuts hit ambulance trusts"
403:"Chelmsford lifesaver first in Mid-Essex to complete enhanced lifesaving skills course"
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This frontline staff role was introduced in 2006 as part of the modernisation of
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does not expect ECAs to be required to make complex clinical decisions.
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transport, meaning that the ECA is likely to do more driving.
111:"Careers in the ambulance service: Emergency care assistant"
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349:"Yorkshire Ambulance Service proposes workforce changes"
367:"East Midlands ambulance union criticises staff policy"
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events which are not regulated or overseen by the NHS.
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132:Rainey, Sarah; Adams, Stephen (7 November 2011).
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454:"ECA To Paramedic Frequently asked Questions"
196:"How to get ahead in … the paramedic service"
456:. East Midlands Ambulance Service. June 2014
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227:"National profiles for ambulance services"
505:Ambulance services in the United Kingdom
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173:"Job profiles:Emergency care assistant"
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385:"Emergency cover changes confirmed"
331:"Volunteers relied on as 999 crews"
313:"Unison angry over training scheme"
276:"Ambulance crews' anger at changes"
252:"Emergency cover changes confirmed"
194:Andalo, Debbie (20 February 2013).
85:East of England Ambulance NHS Trust
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295:"Ambulance shake-up 'poses risks'"
293:Triggle, Nick (11 December 2007).
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32:in responding to emergency calls.
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478:www.emergencycareassistant.co.uk
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175:. National Career Service (UK)
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500:Emergency medical responders
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22:emergency medical service
391:. BBC. 19 December 2014.
28:, often used to support
18:emergency care assistant
337:. BBC. 9 November 2009.
355:. BBC. 7 January 2013.
433:College of Paramedics
373:. BBC. 19 March 2013.
319:. BBC. 7 August 2008.
144:Telegraph Media Group
46:College of Paramedics
483:15 July 2013 at the
429:"Become a paramedic"
206:Guardian Media Group
409:on 11 February 2015
139:The Daily Telegraph
282:. BBC. 9 May 2007.
264:. 25 January 2005.
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95:References
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39:emergency
30:paramedics
117:3 October
481:Archived
389:BBC News
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317:BBC News
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257:BBC News
301:. BBC.
230:(PDF)
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