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Home > Join our team > Explore roles > Emergency medical advisor (EMA)

Emergency medical advisor (EMA)

Our 999 call handlers are the first point of contact for patients who've found themselves in an emergency situation.

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The basic role of an Emergency Medical Advisor (EMA) is to:

  • Find the location quickly in order to arrange an ambulance
  • Complete an assessment of the patient
  • Provide lifesaving instructions whilst the ambulance is being arranged
  • Provide reassurance in what may be a very distressing situation

Operating in a busy call centre environment with a difference, you will be dealing with emergency and life threatening calls. Many callers will be scared and anxious and you will need to use your skills to reassure and obtain critical information to enable us to dispatch help to them quickly.

Using a triage system, you will help enable the service to prioritise calls, and in serious situations, you may stay on the line providing advice and support until help arrives.

The role requires working under pressure and can be demanding, but also incredibly rewarding and you can end your shift knowing that you have a difference in people’s lives.

Entry Requirements

  • Educated to GCSE standard (or equivalent qualifications)
  • Previous experience of working within a call centre environment would be advantageous
  • Excellent keyboard and computer skills – minimum speed of 30 words per minute applicants will be tested as part of the assessment process
  • Possess excellent listening skills
  • Computer literate (including Microsoft packages)
  • Excellent communication and caring skills, with a willingness to work within the values of NWAS

Training

Training is six weeks classroom based, working Monday to Friday. During this period, annual leave is not allowed.

Following the initial training, you will be placed with a mentor for approximately three weeks. You will follow your mentor’s shift pattern during this period.

It is a pre-requisite that candidates must successfully complete the training programme, including all examinations.

Key facts

Location:

Across North West – Check out our latest vacancies

Pay

Band 3. Agenda for Change for Pay and Terms & Conditions, including Section 2 payments for unsociable hours

Not feeling ready to apply?

Sign up to our preemployment programme that walks you through the role and prepares you for the interview.

We have exciting opportunities for Emergency Medical Advisors to help handle the 1000s of 999 calls that come our way every day!

If you think this could be the career for you, we are offering a pre-employment 4-week in-house training programme that includes:

  • Team 999
  • EMA role
  • Safeguarding
  • Confidentiality
  • Communication
  • Basic life support
  • Medical terminology
  • Application preparation
  • Interview preparation
  • Placements
  • Guaranteed interview

Benefits

Answering 999 calls: Laura's story

Dispatching resources to emergencies: Emily's story

Also in this section

  • Advanced paramedic

  • Ambulance care assistant (PTS)

  • Apprenticeships

  • Clinical Hub roles

  • Consultant paramedic

  • Corporate roles

  • Emergency medical advisor (EMA)

  • Emergency medical technician (EMT)

  • MERIT doctor

  • NHS 111 clinical advisor

  • NHS 111 health advisor

  • NHS 111 senior clinical advisor

  • Paramedic

  • Senior paramedic team leader (SPTL)

  • Urgent care practitioners

  • Volunteer


Contact us

General enquiries

0345 112 0999 To call general enquiries, click this link or dial 0345 112 0999

These numbers should NOT be used to contact us in an emergency. In an emergency dial 999 immediately or for non-urgent medical advice call NHS 111.

How to find us

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