Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officer (EMDSO) - Triple Zero (000) Emergency Call Takers

Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officers (EMDSOs) answer emergency Triple zero (000) telephone calls as well as non-emergency bookings for ambulance attendance.

EMDSOs assess a patient’s condition over the phone based on the information provided and give step-by-step instructions so that the management of the patient can begin immediately.

When joining the team, SAAS provides all training in the completion of HLT31020 – Certificate III in Ambulance Communications (call taking) to equip EMDSOs with valuable life-saving skills.

To be successful in this role, you must enjoy assisting and helping others during periods of high stress and anxiety and be willing to use your highly developed problem-solving skills to help guide a person over the phone and determine the most appropriate pathway.

SA Ambulance Service is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 0264).

Downloads:

Current Vacancies

SAAS accepts applications for these positions on a continuous basis and will process applicants as required to meet workforce demand. Please click on the link below to access the Vacancy Job Pack and start your application.

Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officer – Pool – (Multiple positions)

Applications close: 28 April 2024, 11:55pm, Central Australia Daylight Time

Our processes are separated into two separate stages as follows:

Stage 1 – Will likely include

  1. Initial review and shortlisting of your application
  2. Undertaking any relevant assessments and tests
  3. Initial telephone screening interview
  4. We may follow up and seek referee reports

Stage 2 – Will likely include

  1. Undertake a formal interview for the position
  2. Undertake any additional selection activities (as determined by the panel)
  3. Complete any pre-employment checks

To achieve this, you need to have the following skills and attributes:

  • Problem solve quickly and effectively, often within limited timeframes
  • Clearly and accurately provide instructions to callers over the telephone in a calm and firm manner
  • Ability to follow strict protocols and procedures during periods of high stress
  • Ability to quickly calm and diffuse anxious callers to enable an effective determination of the problem
  • Be a good team player
  • Be able to work in environments of high stress
  • Be able to identify your own stress and know how to manage this

In this role, you will work on a roster basis, working 12-hour shifts, on a 4-day rotating roster, which will include nights, weekends and Public Holidays.

In return you will enjoy:

  • Being part of a strong team culture supporting South Australians who are in need of help
  • Participating in an eight week intensive training program to enable you to be confident and “job ready” followed by ongoing support of your team, educators and your manager
  • Support to develop your career within SAAS
  • Additional leave entitlements, which you can use to manage your lifestyle and commitments

Information Session

To find out more about these roles, we encourage you to review our Information Session presentation (PDF). This presentation is designed to give you a better understanding of the role, as well as take you through the steps of the recruitment and selection process.

Information Session Presentation (PDF)

Scott’s story

Scott has been in the role for the past 4 years and was previously in a customer service role within SAAS. He completed a 2-month course and has access to an ongoing mentor to help him to develop his skills.

“The best things about this job include being able to help people in a rewarding role, a great sense of community, feeling connected to the South Australia community and being able to provide them with potentially life-saving advice. For instance, I recently talked a patient through having a baby!

Personally, I am very happy doing this job as the team culture is very supportive, it’s team-oriented and there’s a really good strong work ethic. We all give 100% and you become very close to your colleagues due to the nature of the work, and there is a family-like feeling. They are a respectful bunch of people whose values align with the values of SAAS.”

“Anyone considering applying for an EMDSO role should know it is a very rewarding job, and you feel like you are part of something bigger, I would encourage anyone interested to put in an application and go through the recruitment process because it is worth it. ”


“Working as an EMDSO has opened my eyes and exposed me to a lot of areas of health and developed my medical knowledge. I know that I can deal with any stressful situation, which is a great skill to have.

I can feel rewarded for playing my part in helping my community when it counts.

I can develop valuable skills and knowledge which can save lives.

I enjoy helping others and benefit from a flexible work-life balance and being part of a close-knit and friendly team.”

Join Scott and the team at SA Ambulance Service and enjoy a meaningful career.