Mental Health Ambulance Care Assistant

Role summary The Mental Health Ambulance Care Assistant role is a specialist secure patient transport position supporting people with mental health needs during planned and urgent journeys. You will be part of a trained crew responsible for transporting patients safely, respectfully and professionally between healthcare settings and other locations. This may include mental health hospitals, acute hospitals, places of safety, private addresses, police custody suites, prisons, secure services and community settings. Patients may be informal or detained under the Mental Health Act. Some patients may present with distress, confusion, paranoia, agitation, verbal aggression, risk of absconding, vulnerability, self-neglect or other complex needs. The role requires a calm and professional approach, excellent communication skills, strong personal boundaries and the ability to work safely as part of a team. Main responsibilities The post holder will be responsible for: Supporting the safe and dignified transport of mental health patients. Working as part of a trained secure ambulance crew. Assisting patients before, during and after transport. Communicating professionally with patients, relatives, carers and professionals. Supporting patients who may be distressed, confused, reluctant to travel or verbally challenging. Maintaining professional boundaries at all times. Following company policies, procedures and risk assessments. Supporting safe handovers with hospitals, wards, places of safety, custody suites and other services. Completing accurate documentation and journey records. Maintaining patient confidentiality. Carrying out vehicle and equipment checks as required. Supporting safe use of equipment, including wheelchairs, stretchers and other transport equipment where required. Participating in training, supervision and ongoing development. Working in line with safeguarding, dignity, respect and least restrictive practice principles. Working environment This role involves working in a secure mental health transport setting. Journeys may vary in length, complexity and risk. Some journeys may be local, while others may involve long-distance transport. You may work with patients who are distressed, unsettled, vulnerable or presenting with challenging behaviour. You must be able to remain calm, follow training and work professionally as part of a crew. The role may involve lone preparation tasks, but patient-facing work will usually be carried out as part of a crew. Training Full training will be provided. This may include: Mental health awareness. Safeguarding adults and children. Professional boundaries. De-escalation and communication. Restrictive practice awareness. Physical intervention and safe holding, where required for the role. Patient transport procedures. Moving and handling. Basic life support and first aid. Infection prevention and control. Record keeping and incident reporting. Vehicle and equipment procedures. Who the role may suit This role may suit applicants with experience in: Mental health support work. Care work. Ambulance care assistant roles. Patient transport. Prison custody. Police or public safety roles. Security roles involving vulnerable people. Support work. Challenging behaviour support. Healthcare or social care settings. Previous mental health transport experience is helpful but not essential. The right attitude, professionalism and ability to work safely with vulnerable people are essential. If you are interested in this role, please review the DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION as a PDF on this listing, or on our website, for a comprehensive understanding of it.