31st March 2025
This ACA cohort of 23 new recruits commenced on 17th Feb and each recruit completed a 1 week ambulance driving course followed by a 5 week clinical course – Future Quals Level 3 Certificate in Ambulance Patient Care: Non-Urgent Care Services. Learners will be responsible for the transportation and care of patients with varying needs including looking after the disabled, elderly, sick and vulnerable people to and from outpatient clinics, day care centres and routine hospital admissions and discharges. Learners will be responsible for the care of patients on the journey and while they are transferred to and from the vehicle.
The cohort have been guided and instructed by a committed and enthusiastic faculty of Clinical Training Officers led by Sean McGeown, with Terry O’Neill, Jacq O’Neill and Stephen McCusker.
The cohort finish their studies today with the presentation of ACA epaulettes and certificates of completion ahead of going to division over the next 2/3 days to meet future colleagues and managers at local stations and complete third person shifts and local induction. They will then attend NIAS HQ once more on 4th April to join the new AAP recruits to complete corporate welcome. We believe this training course sets them up well in preparing them for their work within the PCS tier and also is a good grounding and foundation for moving onto the AAP course if they so desire.