Job overview
Imagine a large tree has fallen on your child and they’re trapped, screaming and helpless unable to move, or your friend collapses in front of you and they’re no longer breathing, a train crash with multiple casualties or someone on the edge of a bridge threatening to take their own life. What do you do? What’s your instinct?
Most of us will pick up the phone and dial 999 straight away. Do you have the ability to be logical when those around you are lost in the middle of a crisis? Can you be the calm, soothing, and level-headed influence when we help new parents welcome their children to the world?
Please note: This role does not support remote working. You will need to be available to work from our Emergency Operations Centre in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Main duties of the job
As an ambulance Emergency Call Taker here at SCAS based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, you could be the last voice that someone hears, as well as the first. We focus on caring for others during the best and worst moments of their life. In 2022, Emergency Call Takers at SCAS helped deliver 48 babies and successfully resuscitated 161 patients at the scene of an emergency.
To be a part of our team and work in a privileged and trusted role with members of the public, you’ll need a good listening ear, attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to use your voice to control a situation. Your words will lead your caller to a state of calm from afar, whilst you arrange the appropriate help for them. You do not need to have a medical background, just a desire to help. You’ll need to be detailed and efficient, assertive but compassionate.
Looking after yourself and caring for the team around you should also be a priority for you. We all contribute professionally to the wider team that we operate within here at SCAS, as we all have an important role to play in patient care. If this sounds like a challenge you’ll relish, and you have the resilience to achieve this time and time again throughout your working day, we want to hear from you!
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Disability support
To hear how we support our workforce, have a look at our recent video for our disability friendly recruitment event on our SCASJobs Facebook page.
If you have any queries relating to disability and the role or recruitment process, get in touch at: EOC.recruitment@scas.nhs.uk
If you are interested in a rewarding, yet demanding role where each day you make an impact to our patients care, then submit your application now!
Please note – original qualification certificates to meet the person specification for this role will be required, if you don’t have copies of these, you will need to request replacement certificates by visiting: gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
Good standard of education (i.e 2 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English) or equivalent demonstrable experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
Experience of working in a customer focused environment
Experience of using a computerised system
Desirable criteria
Experience of working in a call centre
Experience of working rotating shifts
Previous NHS experience
Previous experience of patient care
Skills & Aptitudes
Essential criteria
Attention to detail and accurate data entry skills
Ability to use communication and computerised systems.
Desirable criteria
Map reading.
We actively welcome job applications from candidates who have a disability or who are members of the BAME, LGBTQ+ and Armed Forces community (including: Reservists, Veterans, Spouses and Cadets). Here at SCAS we are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).
Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.
As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff.
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