Ambulance Support Crew (ASC), Keely Mansell, was invited back to the college where she completed her apprenticeship to talk to current students about her experience of joining the ambulance service.
As an ASC, Keely’s role involves responding to emergency and urgent 999 calls and supporting clinicians with treating patients.
Before she joined EMAS, Keely completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services at Walsall College. The apprenticeship made Keely realise she was passionate about health care, the NHS, and helping people, which led her to a career at East Midlands Ambulance Service.
“The apprenticeship made me realise that I wanted to pursue a career in the NHS.
“Working in a busy pharmacy during my apprenticeship also made me realise that I’m really good in high-stress situations.
“My long-term career goals are to become a paramedic, training through the NHS. And I also aspire to be an educator for the ambulance service.”
Keely enjoyed her apprenticeship and felt supported by her tutors throughout. She loved learning about medicine and its impact on the body, and this knowledge helps her with her day-to-day role.
“It’s important that we understand what medications our patients are taking and what they can do to the body. My apprenticeship also helped me understand how we store controlled drugs.
“I felt supported within the apprenticeship, especially because I had two excellent tutors. I also used the counselling service that was available through the college, which supported me when I needed it.
“The thing that I enjoyed the most about my apprenticeship was the learning about medication and how a pharmacy works – it’s really interesting! It was my first insight into a real job, and I loved it.
“I would 100% encourage anyone to take part in an apprenticeship and earn while you learn.”
Apprenticeships offer people of all ages the opportunity to pursue a career in the ambulance service and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Apprentices play an essential role at EMAS. We currently employ apprentices in various roles and programmes, and we consider them to be a vital part of our services.
The benefits of doing an apprenticeship with East Midlands Ambulance Service:
- Receive a salary while you learn with a team of experts.
- Gain hands-on experience.
- Can lead to diverse options for career progression.
- Learn about the NHS and social care systems.
- Enjoy student and NHS discounts.
Find out more about doing an apprenticeship with East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Search and apply for an apprenticeship via the gov.uk website.