111 Health Advisor (Call Handler) - Gillingham

NHS; Gillingham; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Gillingham is seeking a dedicated Health Advisor (Call Handler) to join their NHS 111 team. This role requires compassion, effective communication skills, and the ability to work flexibly. You'll assist callers in urgent situations and provide necessary advice, making a genuine difference in people's lives. Comprehensive training is offered, and candidates must be prepared to handle a demanding environment while collaborating effectively with teams. Competitive salary and benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

35 days' annual leave

Free parking

Blue Light discounts

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths and English.
• Experience in communicating effectively with the public.
• Strong IT skills for computer-based roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance for a variety of medical situations.
• Work diligently to assist callers, ensuring compassionate support.
• Document and manage calls efficiently while multitasking.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Problem solving

Typing accuracy

Education

GCSE Maths and English

Tools

NHS Pathways system

Computer-based applications

Job description

111 Health Advisor (Call Handler) – Gillingham

111 Call Handler (Health Advisor) – Gillingham

Join your local Ambulance Service! Your NHS needs YOU!

Our NHS 111 Call Handlers (Health Advisors) are people just like you: people who have come to us from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and age groups, people who all have the same things in common.

You are the first person our patients speak to when they call 111, it could be urgent and they may require an ambulance. Alternatively, they simply are in need of some advice and support from you.

The 111 service receive a huge variety of calls which means no two days are ever the same.

We offer excellent training and career development opportunities for ambitious employees both within the call centres and also opportunities to explore different roles within the wider Trust such as Human Resources and Administration and operational front‑line roles, leading to a career as a Paramedic or in Senior Management.

What makes a great NHS 111 Call Handler (Health Advisor)?

• Our 111 Call Handlers are all caring and empathetic
• They all have great communication skills and love talking to people
• They're all happy and able to work flexibly
• They all love making a difference to people's lives

Main duties of the job

The role of a SECAmb Call Handler

When you ring 111 or 999, your call goes through to a call handler based in one of our 3 Emergency Operation/Contact Centres. These staff are trained to use the NHS Pathways system to provide assistance in a variety of situations, from minor illness to life‑threatening situations. The assistance you will provide will range from offering lifesaving advice whilst an ambulance is on route, to directing callers to other more suitable services.

This role can be demanding, challenging and ultimately very rewarding however, it's not for everyone. Applicants will need to have a range of skills to be able to deal with often stressful and emotional situations, whilst also demonstrating compassion and empathy to all callers, no matter what the situation.

As we are a 24/7 service, this role will involve working a varied shift pattern including earlies, lates and weekends but due to our flexible working, we will work with you to create a rota that gives you a great work/life balance whilst meeting the needs of the trust.

Please note that it is a requirement to work 3 out of 4 weekends, even if you are applying for a part time position. Please give this consideration before making your application.

About us

Why Work At South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAMB)?

What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary of £24,937 – £26,598 with the earning potential of up to £30,000 per annum
• Any unsocial hours worked you will attract an enhancement in line with Section 2 Agenda for Change
• 35 days' annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Free parking
• Access to Blue Light discounts
• Staff networks
• Training and development
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes
• Free Enhanced DBS check

Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.

Training Provided

We will provide full training in a warm, friendly environment in our NHS 111 Call Centre.

• Training will be full‑time (even for part‑time applicants)
• Has a 'must' attend policy and no annual leave is permitted during this period
• Comprises of classroom, observing and mentoring periods within the working environment
• Designed to fully support full transition to call handling independently

Week 4 & 5 – Mentoring, this will be a variable shift pattern whilst you shadow your coaches shifts

Weeks 6 – 9 – Diamond Pod, variable shift pattern

Job responsibilities

Successful applicants will demonstrate high levels of personal commitment to facilitate the delivery of a patient focused service.

We need individuals who have the drive and passion to make a difference to peoples' lives, but also the personal resilience to work in a high‑pressured environment.

You will need to be able to work well within a team and independently, have fast/accurate typing skills and a good standard of education. Successful candidates must possess GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) at Grade C or above (2018 Grade 4).

This role is suited to people who remain calm under pressure, good at problem solving and have excellent interpersonal skills, with an empathetic nature.

If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be required to complete an online Psychometric test as part of the recruitment process.

All successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check for children and adults.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• Educated to GCSE or Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT skills OR evidence within previous employment that they have used Maths and English to GCSE level or higher
• NHSP Pathways trained or other medical triage system background

Experience

• Previous experience working and communicating with the public
• Ability to communicate with a variety of different people and build rapport
• Experience of working in a computer based role – strong IT skills
• Previous experience of working within a team or with stakeholders across a range of setting

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.