Ambulance Dispatcher - Bristol

SWAST; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pay enhancements for out of hours

Career progression

Car leasing scheme

Free parking across Trust sites

Staff networks

Wide range of discounts

Job summary

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol is seeking Ambulance Dispatchers for the 999 control room. The role supports the deployment and management of Trust vehicles across emergencies and non-emergencies, with a 24/7/365 rota.

Starting salary £27,485, with enhanced unsocial hours and generous holiday entitlement. Part-time consideration and assessment centre invitations apply. Interesting career progression within the Trust awaits successful applicants.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs at C grade or above, including English
• Good oral communication skills
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Be prepared to work shifts (24/7 rota)

Responsibilities

• Assist in deployment and management of Trust vehicles to emergency and non-emergency calls
• Operate in a 24/7 rota providing cover on weekends, nights and bank holidays
• Attend assessment centre for shortlisted candidates

Skills

Good communication

Calm under pressure

Shift work readiness

Team player

Education

GCSEs including English

Job description

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Ambulance Dispatcher - Bristol

The closing date is 15 November 2026

Opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance Service in the Emergency Operations Centre for Dispatchers. The successful candidates will be integral members of the 999 control room team with responsibility for the effective deployment and management of Trust vehicles to emergency and non-emergency calls across the Trust area.

Part-time hours will be considered through the flexible working application.

All shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre.

The role is 24/7 365 days a year and we work shifts to achieve this. Please visit the additional information for an example shift pattern.

Unsocial will be paid under Section 2 of NHS Terms and Conditions. Please see attached A4C Handbook for more details.

Main duties of the job

Your background

• 4 GCSEs at C grade or above, including English (or equivalent)
• Good oral communication skills
• The ability to be tactful and diplomatic as required is also necessary
• Be prepared to work shifts (24/7 rota providing cover on weekends, nights and bank holidays)
• Ability to work calmly under pressure

What we can offer you

• Starting salary of £27,485
• Unsocial hours enhancements (In accordance to NHS Terms and Conditions Agenda for Change section 2)
• 27 days annual leave plus additional bank holiday leave allocated
• Access to the trust staying well service, offering emotional support such as counselling specialist trauma work and a range of other advice and information services offered through statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Significant career progression opportunities within the Clinical Hub and wider trust.

For more information on this role, please watch the following video https://vimeo.com/742557522/ff44b2ea37

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

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. 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 remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Bristol, a lively yet laid-back city with top class shopping, street food, dynamic events and friendly festivals and excellent national and international transport links.

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

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• 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

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role.

Alternative formats of our vacancies are available upon request to [e-mail] . Accessibility statement available upon request.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 4 GCSE's (or equivalent) at Grade C or above including English
• Experience in dealing with a diverse range of people in a customer/patient environment
• Experience of inputting data accurately and quickly using a Keyboard

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.

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust