NIAS Control and Communication Centres are generally the first point of contact for the public seeking immediate assistance and immediate medical care. As such they represent a key component in the pre-hospital health care system.

Regional Control Centre staff are a key part of the ambulance service. They receive urgent calls to the service and help to mobilise and control Accident & Emgergency vehicles, as well as call in the non-emergency services e.g. organising routine transport to take patients to and from hospital appointments and home after discharge.

Working under the direction of a shift Control Manager/Duty Officer, you would take the essential details, decide on the type of response needed, and if appropriate, dispatch the nearest ambulance or rapid response vehicle.

Entry Qualifications for Control and Communications Training

Applicants for Control and Communications Staff must have 3 GCSEs at Grade C or above including English Language and possess basic computer skills. Full training will be provided to all successful candidates.

You will learn how to use the switchboard, radio communications and other equipment.
Emergency medical dispatch training will also cover topics such as first aid; the work of A&E crews; prioritising calls; giving telephone advice and using computerised command and control systems e.g. Alert and Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS).