Health Advisor (Call Handler)

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous NHS Pension Scheme

35 days' annual leave

Free parking

Blue Light discounts

Award winning Wellbeing hub

Training and development

Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or 0

Free Enhanced DBS check

Bonus scheme

Job summary

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham is seeking an 111 Health Advisor (Call Handler) on a permanent, part-time basis to join the team. You will be the first point of contact for 111 calls, delivering compassionate advice and assessing urgency to direct callers to the appropriate care.

The role offers comprehensive training, career development, and the chance to progress within the Trust, including opportunities in a wider range of frontline and support roles.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) at Grade C or above.
• Excellent communication and empathy demonstrated in customer-facing roles.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, 24/7 environment.

Responsibilities

• Be the first person patients speak to when they call 111.
• Provide compassionate advice and support using the NHS Pathways system.
• Direct callers to ambulance or other appropriate services as required.
• Remain calm and professional in stressful and emotive situations.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Typing skills

Teamwork

Education

GCSE Maths & English (Grade C+)

Tools

NHS Pathways system

Job description

Position: 111 Health Advisor (Call Handler) - Gillingham

Company: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Hours: Part-time

Location: Gillingham, ME8 6PL

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 2 Sept 2026

Closing date: 2 Oct 2026

Summary

A Vacancy at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

111 Call Handler (Health Advisor) - Gillingham

Join your local Ambulance Service! Your NHS needs YOU!

Our NHS 111 Call Handlers (Health Advisors) are people just like you: people who have come to us from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and age groups, people who all have the same things in common.

You are the first person our patients speak to when they call 111, it could be urgent and they may require an ambulance. Alternatively, they simply are in need of some advice and support from you.

The 111 service receives a huge variety of calls which means no two days are ever the same.

Progression Opportunities

We offer excellent training and career development opportunities for ambitious employees both within the call centres and also opportunities to explore different roles within the wider Trust such as Human Resources and Administration and operational front-line roles, leading to a career as a Paramedic or in Senior Management.

What makes a great NHS 111 Call Handler (Health Advisor)?

• Our 111 Call Handlers are all caring and empathetic
• They all have great communication skills and love talking to people
• They're all happy and able to work flexibly
• They all love making a difference to people's lives

The role of a SECAmb Call Handler

When you ring 111 or 999, your call goes through to a call handler based in one of our 3 Emergency Operation/Contact Centres. These staff are trained to use the NHS Pathways system to provide assistance in a variety of situations, from minor illness to life threatening situations. The assistance you will provide will range from offering lifesaving advice whilst an ambulance is on route, to directing callers to other more suitable services.

This role can be demanding, challenging and ultimately very rewarding however, it's not for everyone. Applicants will need to have a range of skills to be able to deal with often stressful and emotional situations, whilst also demonstrating compassion and empathy to all callers, no matter what the situation.

As we are a 24/7 service, this role will involve working a varied shift pattern including earlies, lates and weekends but due to our flexible working, we will work with you to create a rota that gives you a great work/life balance whilst meeting the needs of the trust.

Please note that it is a requirement to work 3 out of 4 weekends, even if you are applying for a part time position. Please give this consideration before making your application.

What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary of £25,760 - £27,476 with the earning potential of up to £30,000 per annum
• Any unsocial hours worked you will attract an enhancement in line with Section 2 Agenda for Change
• Generous NHS Pension Scheme
• 35 days' annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Free parking
• Access to Blue Light discounts
• Award winning Wellbeing hub
• Staff networks
• Training and development
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes
• Free Enhanced DBS check
• Bonus scheme

Training Provided

We will provide full training in a warm, friendly environment in our NHS 111 Call Centre.

Our comprehensive training programme:

• 9 weeks training
• Training will be full-time (even for part-time applicants)
• Has a 'must' attend policy and no annual leave is permitted during this period
• Comprises of classroom, observing and mentoring periods within the working environment
• Designed to fully support full transition to call handling independently

Training schedules

• Weeks 1 - 3 - Classroom Training, Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00
• Week 4 & 5 - Mentoring, this will be a variable shift pattern whilst you shadow your coaches shifts
• Weeks 6 - 9 - Diamond Pod, variable shift pattern

Applicant Requirements

Successful applicants will demonstrate high levels of personal commitment to facilitate the delivery of a patient focused service.

We need individuals who have the drive and passion to make a difference to people's lives, but also the personal resilience to work in a high-pressured environment.

You will need to be able to work well within a team and independently, have fast/accurate typing skills and a good standard of education. Successful candidates must possess GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) at Grade C or above (2018 Grade 4).

This role is suited to people who remain calm under pressure, good at problem solving and have excellent interpersonal skills, with an empathetic nature.

Further Information

All successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check for children and adults.

This advert closes on Friday 4 Sep 2026