999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Exeter

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading ambulance service as a 999 Call Handler in Exeter, where you'll be the first point of contact for emergency calls. This role offers opportunities for professional development, generous leave, and NHS benefits. Ideal for those who want to make a difference in patient care.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus public holidays

Pay enhancements for out-of-hours work

Car leasing scheme

Free parking at Trust sites

Discounts across various UK organizations

Qualifications

• Experience of accurate and quick data entry using a keyboard.
• Experience dealing with the public in a customer service environment.

Responsibilities

• First point of contact for medical emergencies.
• Record accurate information and offer advice.
• Work in a 24/7 shift environment.

Skills

Data Entry

Customer Service

Basic Computer Literacy

Education

First Aid at Work Certification

Job description

Employer: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type: NHS

Site: Exeter EOC

Town: Exeter

Salary: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum*

Salary period: Yearly

Closing date: 08/06/2025 23:59

999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Exeter

Band 3

Job overview

Ambulance Service: Is the patient breathing?

Do you want to make a difference to our patients as part of a supportive and motivated team?

Would you like NHS benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement and NHS Pension?

Would you like to develop your career within the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)?

If you answered yes to these questions, then start your career with the South Western Ambulance Service EOC, where the patient journey begins.

When you ring 999, your call goes through to one of our Control Rooms based in Exeter and Bristol. Our trained Call Handlers are the first point of contact for people experiencing a medical emergency. Not every call will be a matter of life or death, but how you listen, interpret, and respond makes a vital difference. You will record accurate information, sometimes under difficult circumstances, and offer advice or reassurance. You will enter details into a computer system about the patient and their condition, which helps determine the seriousness of the illness or injury, ensuring appropriate care.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to the attached 'Full EMD advert' document for full details of this vacancy.

Please note that this role is 24/7, 365 days a year (including bank holidays, weekends, days, nights, etc.), and involves shift work.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment centre.

We are recruiting to a holding pool for upcoming course intakes.

Working for our organisation

We provide emergency and urgent care 24/7, operating across the largest ambulance region in England, responding to approximately 2,650 incidents daily.

We are committed to providing the best possible care, reflected in our five-year strategy focused on continual improvement.

The role is based in Exeter, a vibrant city with excellent transport links, independent shops, cafes, and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassion, and innovation, and want to make a real difference, we want to hear from you.

We will provide you with the skills and resources to succeed, with opportunities for progression and professional development.

• A standard 37.5-hour workweek
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, plus public holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out-of-hours, shift, and overtime work
• Opportunities for career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking at Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Discounts across various UK organizations

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Experience of accurate and quick data entry using a keyboard
• Basic computer literacy
• RSA Stage 1 keyboard skills
• First Aid at Work certification

Previous Experience

• Experience dealing with the public in a customer service environment

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) 2020, requiring a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.