Emergency Call Taker - Full-time - Bicester

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bicester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Free parking

27–33 days annual leave (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working requests considered

Structured training programme with 1:1

Job summary

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for an on-site Emergency Call Taker. The role involves being the first voice callers hear, gathering information, and providing reassurance during critical situations. Training runs from November 2026, and attendance is mandatory.

Applicants must be 18 or over with the right to work in the UK. No visa sponsorship is available, and the role is on-site only with no remote working.

Qualifications

• 2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Experience in using a computerised system.

Responsibilities

• Answer 999 calls as the first point of contact for callers.
• Ask the right questions to gather information in emergencies.
• Provide reassurance and support callers through critical situations.
• Help coordinate emergency responses to life-threatening incidents.
• Support callers in crisis or distress.
• Complete the training programme: classroom training, 10 one-to-one coaching shifts and 8 audited shifts.
• Attend the training programme in full, as attendance is mandatory.
• Work on-site at the Emergency Operations Centre, with no remote working.

Skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Computer literacy

Education

Two GCSEs (including English) at grade 4 or above

Tools

Computerised systems

Job description

This full-time role sits in the Emergency Operations Centre of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, where call takers answer 999 calls. The work centres on being the first voice a caller hears, asking the right questions, giving reassurance and supporting people through critical situations. The post is on-site only with no remote working, and no medical experience is needed, with training courses running from November 2026. Applicants must be 18 or over and hold the right to work in the UK, as no visa sponsorship is available.

What the job involves

• Answer 999 calls as the first point of contact for callers
• Ask the right questions to gather information in emergencies
• Provide reassurance and support callers through critical situations
• Help coordinate emergency responses to life-threatening incidents
• Support callers in crisis or distress
• Complete the training programme: classroom training, 10 one-to-one coaching shifts and 8 audited shifts
• Attend the training programme in full, as attendance is mandatory
• Work on-site at the Emergency Operations Centre, with no remote working

What’s required

Qualifications

• Good standard of education, such as 2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or equivalent demonstrable experience

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer-focused environment
• Experience of using a computerised system

Skills & knowledge

• Attention to detail and accurate data entry
• Ability to use communication and computerised systems

Checks & eligibility

• Aged 18 or over
• Right to work in the UK

Other

• Compassion, confidence and clear communication
• Resilience and emotional awareness throughout a shift
• A genuine desire to help others

Nice to have

• Experience of working in a call centre
• Experience of working rotating shifts
• Previous NHS experience
• Previous experience of patient care
• Map reading

What’s offered

• 27 to 33 days' annual leave, pro rata
• NHS pension
• Enhanced pay of 35% for Saturday and weekday night shifts, and 69% for Sundays and bank holidays
• National discounts on retail, travel, leisure and tech
• Free parking
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible working requests considered in line with business requirements
• Structured training programme with coaching and audit