Emergency Call Taker - Part-time - Bicester

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bicester; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Shift pay uplifts

Flexible working requests considered

Job summary

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a part-time call handler for the Emergency Operations Centre. You will answer 999 calls, gather essential information, and provide reassurance while coordinating life-saving responses.

Training begins with 4 weeks of classroom learning and extensive coaching and audits for final sign-off. No prior medical experience is required; however, you must have the right to work in the UK and there is no visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Good standard of education, e.g. 2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Responsibilities

• Answer 999 calls as the first point of contact for callers in emergencies.
• Ask the right questions to establish what has happened.
• Provide reassurance and support callers through critical situations.
• Help coordinate emergency responses, including life-saving ones.
• Complete the training programme: 4 weeks' classroom training, 10 one-to-one coaching shifts, 8 audited shifts and a final sign-off observation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Resilience

Compassion

Education

2 GCSEs incl English

Tools

Computerised systems

Job description

This part-time role sits in the Emergency Operations Centre of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, where call takers answer 999 calls. The work is about asking the right questions and giving reassurance, from coordinating a life-saving response to supporting a new parent through a birth. It is on-site only, with no remote working, and training starts from November 2026. No medical experience is needed, but right to work in the UK is required and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Answer 999 calls as the first point of contact for callers in emergencies
• Ask the right questions to establish what has happened
• Provide reassurance and support callers through critical situations
• Help coordinate emergency responses, including life-saving ones
• Complete the training programme: 4 weeks' classroom training, 10 one-to-one coaching shifts, 8 audited shifts and a final sign-off observation

Qualifications

• Good standard of education, e.g. 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
• Compassion, confidence, clear communication and resilience
• A genuine desire to help others

Checks & eligibility

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

Other

• Original qualification certificates to meet the person specification
• Attendance at full-time, mandatory training

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 pay uplifts of up to 35% for Saturdays and weekday nights, and up to 69% for Sundays and bank holidays
• Flexible working requests considered in line with business requirements