South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Bristol
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999 Call Handler (Emergency Medical Dispatcher) - Bristol
South Western Ambulance Service – Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Role
About the Role
Want to make a difference as a key part of the emergency care team? At the South Western Ambulance Service’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), you’ll make the first critical decision for tomorrow’s 999 call.
As an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), you’ll be:
- The first NHS contact for patients calling for emergency care
- A life-saving link between distressed callers and the ambulance service
- Vital to deciding life-or-death responses, using sharp judgement under pressure
Starting Your Career
Every call connects you to a patient in need. You’ll:
- Assess urgency by gathering key medical details under challenging conditions
- Record patient data accurately on an emergency system—ensuring right care reaches the right person at the right time
- Provide clarity and reassurance, tailoring advice to the caller’s needs
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Your impact? Directly shaping how services are fast-tracked, dispatched, and delivered.
About the Team & Environment
- Public-facing, 24/7 role (all shifts, including weekends/bank holidays) based in Bristol
- Part-time flexibility possible (case-by-case review of formal application)
- Supportive culture with opportunity for growth across the largest ambulance region in England—responding to nearly 2,700 daily emergencies
Do You Have What It Takes?
You should embody our core values: ✔ ‘One Team’ – through combined compassionate skill and innovative solutions ✔ Flexibility – adapting in the face of changing demands ✔ Empathy – understanding that every call matters deeply to someone
Career & Benefits
- NHS benefits: Pension, 37.5-hour week, competitive salary
- Development opportunities: Upward progression and continuous training
- 城市奖励与支持: Car leasing, free parking, 27+ paid holiday days (rising to 33 days after 10 years), out-of-hours pay enhancements.
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How to Apply
Shortlisted applicants attend assessment centres. For further details (videos/helpful resources), see: Experience SWASFT Video.
Recruitment Note: Positions fill from our holding pool—apply now!
Contact & Next Steps
Questions about your application or curiosity about the role? Reach out to: Packer: HR Services (South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust) Email: HRServices@swast.nhs.uk Phone: 0300 3690 360
Bristol—A city of vibrant festivals, shopping, and outstanding transport connections—awaits you. Join us if your ambition is to improve lives at their most critical moment.
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