999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Exeter

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An emergency services organization in Exeter is seeking a 999 Call Handler to provide first point of contact for medical emergencies. Candidates should have experience in data entry and customer service, basic computer skills, and a First Aid qualification. This is a full-time, 24/7 role with exciting opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus public holidays

Pay enhancements for shift work

Career and salary progression

Car leasing scheme

Free parking

Qualifications

• Experience of inputting data accurately and quickly using a keyboard.
• Basic computer literacy.
• RSA Stage 1 keyboard skills.
• First Aid at Work Course.

Responsibilities

• Listen, interpret, and deal with emergency calls.
• Record accurate information and offer advice.
• Ensure patients receive the right care at the right time.

Skills

Data entry

Customer service

First Aid at Work

Job description

999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Exeter

The closing date for this vacancy is 28 September 2025.

When you ring 999 your call goes through to one of our two Control Rooms based in Exeter and Bristol. Our trained Call Handlers are the first point of contact for people experiencing a medical emergency. You will listen, interpret and deal with calls, recording accurate information and offering advice or reassurance to the caller/patient. You will enter details onto a computer system about the patient and their condition to establish the seriousness of the illness or injury and ensure the patient receives the right care at the right time.

Main duties of the job

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

Part-time hours will be considered through a flexible working application, reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please visit Balancing Patient Care and Employee Well-being (swasft-joinus.co.uk).

Please note that this role is 24/7, 365 days a year (including bank holidays, weekends, days, nights, etc.) and we operate shifts to accommodate this.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre.

For further insight to this role, please view the following video: https://vimeo.com/742269034/8e60f54da6

Please note, we are recruiting to a holding pool for our next course intakes.

About us

We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day. We are committed to delivering the best possible care for all patients, reflected in our five-year strategy focused on continually improving patient care.

The role is based in Exeter, a city with excellent transport links and a vibrant local scene.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, we would love to hear from you.

We will equip you with the skills and resources to thrive in your role, with opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and gain ongoing professional development.

Benefits

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Experience of inputting data accurately and quickly using a keyboard
• Basic computer literacy
• RSA Stage 1 keyboard skills
• First Aid at Work Course

Previous Experience

• Previous experience of dealing with members of the public in a customer service environment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust