Emergency Call Taker - Full-time - Otterbourne

The Methodist Church in Britain; South Derbyshire; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual leave

Discounts

Shift uplifts

Structured training

Job summary

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Call Taker for the Emergency Operations Centre. On-site role handling 999 calls, asking the right questions, providing reassurance and coordinating emergency responses in high-pressure situations.

The position includes weekend and night shifts with a structured training programme starting February 2027. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; no medical background is required.

Qualifications

• Good standard of education, such as 2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Original qualification certificates to be provided

Responsibilities

• Answer 999 calls from the public, often as first contact in a crisis
• Ask questions to establish what happened and what help is needed
• Give reassurance and support callers through critical situations
• Help coordinate life-saving emergency responses
• Support callers through a range of situations, including childbirth

Skills

Attention to detail

Accurate data entry

Communication

Use of computerised systems

Education

GCSEs including English

Equivalent demonstrable experience

Tools

Computerised systems

Job description

This call taker post sits in the Emergency Operations Centre at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, handling 999 calls from the public. The work centres on taking calls under pressure, asking the right questions, giving reassurance and helping coordinate emergency responses. The role is on site only, with weekend and night shifts and a training programme from February 2027. No medical background is needed, but applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as no visa sponsorship is offered.

What the job involves

• Answer 999 calls from members of the public, often as the first point of contact in a crisis
• Ask the right questions to establish what has happened and what help is needed
• Give reassurance and support callers through critical situations
• Help coordinate life‑saving emergency responses
• Support callers through a wide range of situations, including childbirth

Qualifications

• Good standard of education, such as 2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Original qualification certificates to be provided

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

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
• National discounts on retail, travel, leisure and tech
• Free parking
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Shift uplifts of 35% for Saturdays and weekday nights, and 69% for Sundays and bank holidays
• Flexible working requests considered in line with business requirements
• Structured training programme with coaching shifts, audit and final observation