Sign up for updates
Looking for a new role?
Get notified about new roles at Medicare EMS. Along with other relevant updates, unsubscribe at any time.
What is Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (Level 3 CERAD)
The FAQ Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (RQF) (CERAD™) is designed to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and understanding for operating ambulance vehicles under both routine and emergency circumstances.
Depending on the vehicle type in which the learning and assessment will be conducted, candidates can choose from one of the following three qualification pathways:
- Pathway 1 (CERADL3P1) – This is tailored for Class 3 Ambulance Vehicles. These are medium-sized vehicles with a gross vehicle weight between 3500kg and 7500kg.
- Pathway 2 (CERADL3P2) – This pathway is designed for Class 2 Ambulance Vehicles, which are light vehicles with a gross vehicle weight ranging from 3250kg to 3500kg.
- Pathway 3 (CERADL3P3) – This focuses on Class 2 Ambulance Cars, such as RRV, RRU, SRU, FRV, and PRU, with a gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 3500kg.
Course Overview
This qualification is primarily targeted towards individuals who are currently working or planning to work as an ambulance support worker, associate ambulance practitioner, or a HCPC registered paramedic. It is an integral part of their professional development, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently.
The CERAD™ program delivers a comprehensive training package that ensures all learners can operate their designated vehicles safely and competently, providing essential services within the emergency response sector.
This certificate can support progression onto further qualifications such as:
- FAQ Level 4 Diploma in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving Instruction
- FAQ Level 3 Diploma in Ambulance Emergency and Urgent Care Support
- FAQ Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners.
It can also support progression into job roles like Ambulance Support Worker, Associate Ambulance Practitioner, or HCPC Registered Paramedic.
Component 1
Understand the roles and responsibilities of an emergency response ambulance driver
This component serves as the foundation of the Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (RQF) course. It evaluates the learner’s knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities tied to driving an emergency response ambulance.
Component Details
You will learn to be able to:
You will learn to understand:
- Current driving legislation, regulation, and the responsibilities of an emergency responder ambulance driver
- The purpose of completing ambulance vehicle daily inspections and pre-driving checks
- Procedures for driving on single carriageways, dual carriageways, and motorways
- The use of an ambulance vehicles steering, braking, transmission and acceleration systems
- The system of car control
- Principles of safe cornering
- Principles of overtaking when driving an ambulance vehicle under both routine and emergency response conditions
- Principles of reversing manoeuvring
- How vehicle safety systems aid in maintaining ambulance vehicle stability and control
- How human factors and actions contribute to becoming a better driver
- The effects of driving an ambulance vehicle during the hours of darkness
- Emergency response ambulance driving practices
Component 2
Class 3 routine and emergency response ambulance driving
Component 2 is aimed at developing the skills and knowledge required to drive a class 3 ambulance under both routine and emergency response conditions. It’s structured into 12 Learning Outcomes:
Component Details
You will learn to be able to:
You will learn to be able to:
- Comply with current legislation and driving regulations at all times
- Carry out pre-driving checks and inspections
- Implement procedures when driving on multi-lane carriageways
- Use ambulance vehicle controls
- Use the system of car control to approach and negotiate hazards
- Negotiate bends safely whilst driving an ambulance vehicle
- Overtake when driving an ambulance vehicle under routine and emergency response conditions
- Safely reverse, manoeuvre and position an ambulance vehicle using forward and reverse gears
- Manage situations and human factors
- Drive an ambulance vehicle during the hours of darkness
- Drive under emergency response conditions
- Navigate under routine and emergency response ambulance driving conditions
Component 3
Class 2 routine and emergency response ambulance driving
The structure of this component, including the learning outcomes, is very similar to Component 2. The primary difference is the class of the ambulance vehicle (Class 2 for Component 3 vs. Class 3 for Component 2), which may require some different handling techniques.
Component Details
You will learn to be able to:
You will learn to be able to:
- Comply with current legislation and driving regulations at all times
- Carry out pre-driving checks and inspections
- Implement procedures when driving on multi-lane carriageways
- Use ambulance vehicle controls
- Use the system of car control to approach and negotiate hazards
- Negotiate bends safely whilst driving an ambulance vehicle
- Overtake when driving an ambulance vehicle under routine and emergency response conditions
- Safely reverse, manoeuvre and position an ambulance vehicle using forward and reverse gears
- Manage situations and human factors
- Drive an ambulance vehicle during the hours of darkness
- Drive under emergency response conditions
- Navigate under routine and emergency response ambulance driving conditions
Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (RQF)
Level 3 CERAD Course Requirements
- Learners should be at least 18 years old on the first day of teaching.
- Learners should embody the correct values, behaviors, and characteristics suitable for the role.
- Learners should not be involved in any unresolved legal issues, such as pending court cases, prosecutions, or disciplinary actions.
- Learners must be under contract with an NHS ambulance service, a voluntary ambulance provider, or a private ambulance provider. These providers should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and contracted to supply emergency ambulance services to the NHS. In the case of devolved nations, the equivalent of the CQC-registered ambulance service should be applicable.
- Learners must possess a valid driving license for the type of vehicle they will be operating during the entire duration of the qualification. If the license is issued outside the UK, the training centers are required to conduct due diligence to ensure that the learner complies with all current UK legislation.
May
Start Date: May 4 – May 29
Monday to Thursday over 4 weeks (8am to 6pm)
Location:
Medicare Academy, Executive Suite, Park View, Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7SY
Course Cost: £2,950 + VAT
June
Start Date: 1st – 25th June
Monday to Thursday over 4 weeks (8am to 6pm)
Location:
Medicare Academy, Executive Suite, Park View, Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7SY
Course Cost: £2,950 + VAT
July
Start Date: 6th – 30th July
Monday to Thursday over 4 weeks (8am to 6pm)
Location:
Medicare Academy, Executive Suite, Park View, Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7SY
Course Cost: £2,950 + VAT
August
Start Date: 3rd – 27th August
Monday to Thursday over 4 weeks (8am to 6pm)
Location:
Medicare Academy, Executive Suite, Park View, Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7SY
Course Cost: £2,950 + VAT
Future Dates
If you require specific dates not listed on our schedule, please get in touch and we can arrange a course for you.
Do you need group booking?
Get in touch.
Tel: 03300 562210
Email: gio.limbo@medicare-ems.co.uk
Level 3 CERAD Course Duration:
150 Hours
Course Description:
The FAQ Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (RQF) equips learners with the required abilities to operate ambulance vehicles in both routine and emergency situations. It covers a wide range of topics, including UK driving legislation, driver responsibilities, system of car control, safety systems, emergency response practices, navigation, and dealing with adverse conditions and human factors. The qualification allows ambulance service drivers to claim exemptions under road traffic legislation, in line with the Road Traffic Regulations Act. It caters to individuals aspiring to work as ambulance support workers, associate ambulance practitioners or HCPC registered paramedics.
