111 Health Advisor (Call Handler) - Gillingham

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service is seeking a 111 Call Handler in Gillingham. This role involves assisting callers in urgent situations and providing guidance, requiring empathy and excellent communication skills. The service offers training, a competitive salary of £24,938 - £26,598, and significant development opportunities within the NHS. Flexibility and teamwork are essential in this challenging yet rewarding role.

Benefits

Competitive salary

NHS Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Free parking

Access to Blue Light discounts

Training and development opportunities

Free Enhanced DBS check

Qualifications

• High levels of personal commitment to patient-focused service.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Fast and accurate typing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance in a variety of situations from minor to life-threatening.
• Use NHS Pathways system to direct callers appropriately.
• Manage stressful and emotional situations with compassion.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Ability to work under pressure

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade C or above)

Job description

A Vacancy at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.


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.

Progression Opportunities

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

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.

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

What we can offer you:
• Competitive salary of £24,938 - £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
• Generous NHS Pension Scheme
• 35 days’ annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Free parking
• Access to Blue Light discounts
• Award winning Wellbeing hub
• Staff networks
• Training and development
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes
• Free Enhanced DBS check
• Bonus scheme

Training Provided

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

Our comprehensive training programme:
• 9 weeks training
• 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

Training schedules

Weeks 1 - 3 - Classroom Training, Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00 / 16:00 - 00:00

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

Applicant Requirements

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 people’s 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.

Further Information

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.


This advert closes on Wednesday 30 Jul 2025