Dispatcher - Broughton, Preston
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, working pattern, caring responsibilities trade union activity or political beliefs-or any other grounds.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to improve the diversity of our workforce and to better reflect the communities we serve to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place; every time.
The Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a large number of applications are received.
Due to the volume of applications received for our advertisements, we will only contact those candidates shortlisted for interview via email; we aim to do this within 4 weeks of the closing date. If you do not receive the email, it will be that you have not been shortlisting on this occasion.When applying for this position, it is essential that you read the job description and person specification fully. Please use the supporting information space to demonstrate your ability to undertake this role, drawing on your skills, knowledge and experience.
We also offers a range of excellent benefits including a pension scheme, up to 33 days Annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), training and development opportunities, access to NHS discounts, Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, NHS Mortgages and Childcare Vouchers.
Job overview
ICC Dispatcher - open to external applicants, training will be given.
Location:
Lancashire area.
Please read the attached detailed job description, person specification and main responsibilities regarding assessments and training location before submitting your application.
Main duties of the job
Are you calm, highly motivated and have a flair for multi-tasking? The North West Ambulance Service is recruiting Dispatchers for its Integrated Contact Centre in Broughton. Working alongside 999 call handlers, you will be responsible for dispatching emergency resources and communicating via radio with our paramedics and other emergency responders.
The Integrated Contact Centres receive emergency calls and dispatch ambulances 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It is essential that applicants are flexible and able to commit to working a rota pattern, which will include night shifts, weekend shifts and bank holidays, including religious festivals.
The Integrated Contact Centres are fast paced environments and excellent typing speeds are an essential requirement. Successful applicants will have very good communication skills and be able to maintain a calm and professional manner when working under pressure.No previous medical knowledge is needed and a full training package will be provided
Working for our organisation
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.
Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.
Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.
We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Training
Successful applicants will need to commit to three weeks of training and annual leave will not be permitted during the training course. The course will commence on Monday 12 May 2025 and will be at our Integrated Contact Centre in Speke.
During the first week of the training course, candidates will complete observations of the various roles within the Integrated Contact Centre.
The training package will involve a variety of daytime and late shifts.
Salary – NHS Agenda for Change, Band 4, £25,147 plus unsocial hours payment.
Assessment Centres will be held in Broughton on Saturday 8 March 2025.
Candidates will be invited to complete typing, memory and recall, attentional focus, and multi-tasking tests and, if successful, will be attend a formal interview on the day.
Person specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Excellent keyboard and computer skills evidenced by the ability to effectively input and access information to/from the IT systems
- Developed communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Ability to ‘multi-task’ and prioritise effectively
- Problem solving skills
- Planning and organisation skills
- Ability to make dynamic decisions under pressure
- Ability to work on own initiative and to follow protocols as appropriate
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Effective team member
- Strong work ethic
- Self disciplined and motivated to improve patient care
- Demonstrate an understanding of managing a safe working environment
Qualifications /Attainments
Essential criteria- Educated to GCSE standard or above, or equivalent vocational qualifications
- Evidence of continuous professional development
General / Personal
Essential criteria- Ability to work unsocial hours/shift pattern
- Good attendance record
- Present a professional image
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working within an emergency control environment
- Experience of working within a call centre
Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information, provide false or misleading information.
Should you be successful at interview stage successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, this will be subject to the NHS Employment Checks Standards.
Right to work - You will be required to provide a valid right to work in the UK document. North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust are currently able to provide sponsorship for roles that identified under the Health and Care visa, further information on this can be found here Health and Care Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reference checks - This will cover a minimum of a three year period and will include a request for the number of days and occasions of sickness absence covering a minimum two year period. In line with equality legislation, the earliest point at which we will ask health related questions is when an offer of employment has been made.Absences related to disability may be excluded from these considerations; consideration would be given as to what would be a reasonable attendance level, based on the information available. Absences related to pregnancy, maternity and/or gender reassignment will be excluded from these considerations.
Detailed information on the NHS Employment Checks Standards is available on the NHS Employers website; search ‘employment checks’.
DBS Checks - If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made for this disclosure.
Occupational Health - You will require satisfactory medical clearance.
Whilst not a condition of employment, all staff are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as this remains the best lined of defence against COVID-19.
From 1^st September 2018, Section 2 of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions will automatically apply to the calculation of unsocial hours for all appointments that commence in post from this date (except secondments).
If you do not have regular access to your email please contact a member of the HR Hub Team on 03451122018.