Development
ECAs at present have no clear career pathway of progression to technician or paramedic status and this has been widely discussed within many ambulance trusts. In the fourth quarter of 2008, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust announced progression for 80 ECAs to become emergency medical technicians in 2009. A large number of ECAs have since undertaken IHCD ambulance technician courses and many are now qualified technicians. West Midlands Ambulance Service has continued to offer technician courses throughout 2010, 2011 and 2012 to existing staff eligible to take them.
Some other ambulance Trusts that use the ECA role have begun to work on providing development for ECAs to become paramedics, using part-time higher education routes, such as the Open University. This is in line with the NHS "Skills Escalator" approach to staff development. It provides a development route for ECAs that are able to study (to a minimum of Higher Education Diploma), whilst remaining in employment, rather than becoming a full-time university student.
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