About: Emergency care assistant

An emergency care assistant (ECA) is a type of NHS ambulance service worker in the United Kingdom, often used to support paramedics in responding to emergency calls. This frontline staff role was introduced in 2006 as part of the modernisation of NHS emergency ambulances 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 trained with emergency driving skills. They may carry out basic diagnostic procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic. The College of Paramedics does not expect ECAs to be required to make complex clinical decisions.