Paramedic Jobs: Become an Emergency Medical Dispatcher with QAS

Become an Emergency Medical Dispatcher with QAS

Do you have a passion to work in the pre-hospital emergency care industry? Have you ever thought about becoming an Emergency Medical Dispatcher? This job could be the perfect way to launch you into the industry and give you the extra incentive to up-skill and become a private sector medic – or prepare you for university by studying the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.

As an example of the types of jobs you can do, here’s an overview of a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) ad for Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD).

EMD’s can also be known as Call taker, Assistant Control Centre Officers, Emergency Medical Dispatch Call Taker.

What is an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)?

An Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) is an operational role within the QAS that works in collaboration with the Operation Centre team,  and usually under the in-direct supervision of a Communications Team Leader.

EMDs who receive emergency calls, provide essential pre-arrival advice, and coordinate and dispatch QAS resources and patient transport movements.

What do I need to become an Emergency Medical Dispatcher?

To be a successful Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officer (EMDSO), it goes without saying you should have superior communication skills and the ability to manage extreme situations with calmness and leadership. You must also have the ability to type 40wpm with 95% accuracy.

For the most part, on-the-job training is provided by the ambulance service itself. Emergency Medical Dispatchers typically complete a Certificate III and IV in Ambulance Communications (link opens the training.gov.au website) within 12 months of commencing employment with the service. Unlike other health care positions, you don’t necessarily need to gain qualification before you can apply.

“The Emergency Medical Dispatcher role is more than just answering Triple Zero (000) calls”

A quick overview of the job

  • Salary: $48,447 + Super + Penalties
  • Salary sacrifice benefits – applies to motor vehicles, mortgage payments and more!
  • Fast-paced, front line Ambulance Operation Centre environment
  • Up to 9 weeks leave per year

Certificate III and IV in Ambulance Communications overview;

BSBMED301 – Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately Core
BSBWOR203 – Work effectively with others Work effectively with others Core
CHCCOM001 – Provide first point of contact Provide first point of contact Elective
CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services Communicate and work in health or community services Core
CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people Work with diverse people Core
CHCDIV002 – Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Elective
CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically Work legally and ethically Elective
CHCMHS001 – Work with people with mental health issues Work with people with mental health issues Elective
HLTAAP001 – Recognise healthy body systems Recognise healthy body systems Elective
HLTAID003 – Provide first aid Provide first aid Elective
HLTAID006 – Provide advanced first aid Provide advanced first aid Elective
HLTAMB005 – Receive and respond to requests for ambulance service Receive and respond to requests for ambulance service Core
HLTAMB006 – Assign and coordinate ambulance service resources Assign and coordinate ambulance service resources Core
HLTINF001 – Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures Elective
HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety Participate in workplace health and safety Core
HLTWHS003 – Maintain work health and safety Maintain work health and safety Elective
HLTWHS006 – Manage personal stressors in the work environment Manage personal stressors in the work environment Elective
PUAECO002A – Process emergency incident calls and enquiries Process emergency incident calls and enquiries Elective
PUAECO003A – Operate and control radio networks Operate and control radio networks Core
PUAECO004A – Operate computer aided dispatch system Operate computer aided dispatch system Core

Additional links

For more information on the role and the Queensland recruitment process visit the Queensland Ambulance website.

If you’re from NSW, learn more about Control Centre Officers on the NSW Ambulance website and find out about EMD careers here.

In Victoria, emergency call centres are handled by ESTA. Find out more information about Emergency Medical Dispatchers on the ESTA website. 

Information on Emergency medical dispatch support officers (EMDSOs) in South Australia.

Find Triple Zero Call Centre jobs on SEEK.

*Thanks to the Queensland Ambulance Service for the information provided on this page.

What other  jobs are available in the sector?

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