Emergency medical dispatcher

Good computer skills and a typing qualification could be useful to get into this job, for example:

• Level 2 Award in Touch Typing
• Level 2 ECDL Award in IT User Skills

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

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You can get into this role through an advanced apprenticeship in emergency service contact handling.

You'll usually need to be over 18 years old and may need a GCSE grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English or equivalent.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

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Paid or unpaid experience of working in healthcare would be useful. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust for advice about opportunities.

You can apply directly to your local ambulance service.

Each service sets their own entry requirements, though it may help your application if you have:

• GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and science
• experience in customer care, like a call centre operator
• map reading skills and knowledge of local geography
• an understanding of medical terminology
• the ability to speak a community language
• a recognised and up-to-date first aid qualification

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an emergency medical dispatcher from Health Careers.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of public safety and security
• administration skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• be over 18 years of age
• pass background checks

in your day-to-day duties you may:

• keep the caller calm to get essential information
• find out the location and details of what happened
• give basic first aid advice to people facing life-threatening situations
• help people cope until an ambulance arrives
• decide whether the caller needs an ambulance, car, motorbike or helicopter
• work out which vehicle is nearest
• contact the crew and pass on vital information
• create electronic records of calls and events

You could work in a control room.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.