Emergency Call Taker Bicester

Woodworker's Journal; Bicester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service is looking for dedicated Emergency Call Takers to provide immediate support during emergencies. Based in Bicester, the role involves handling distress calls, ensuring accurate data entry, and managing caller concerns with care. No medical background is required, but strong communication and detail-oriented skills are essential. The position offers a permanent contract with opportunities for professional development and generous leave policies including NHS benefits.

Benefits

Full training

27 days holiday (increasing with service)

NHS Pension Scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-focused environment is essential.
• Good education standard or equivalent experience required.
• Attention to detail and accurate data entry skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Handle emergency calls and provide calm assistance.
• Arrange appropriate help for callers in crisis.
• Support team and practice self-care.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Data entry skills

Education

2 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English

Tools

Computerised systems

Job description

Job Summary

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? 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!

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 a 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.

Job Details

Date posted: 15 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time

Reference number: 195-25-ECTN-CWB

Job locations: Northern House, Talisman Road, Bicester, OX26 6HR

Essential qualifications & training

• Good standard of education (i.e., 2 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English) or equivalent demonstrable experience

Essential knowledge & experience

• Experience of working in a customer focused environment
• Experience of using a computerised system

Desirable qualifications & experience

• Experience of working in a call centre
• Experience of working rotating shifts
• Previous NHS experience
• Previous experience of patient care

Essential skills & aptitudes

• Attention to detail and accurate data entry skills
• Ability to use communication and computerised systems.

Desirable skills & aptitudes

• Map reading.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Northern House, Talisman Road, Bicester, OX26 6HR

Employer's website: https://scasjobs.co.uk/