Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

The Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) is part of a team that operates in the National Emergency Operations Centre.

The purpose of the post is to manage efficiently and effectively all emergency vehicles, intermediate care vehicles, other national ambulance service resources, and community first responder services to meet service user needs in a timely manner and within the framework of policies, procedures and guidelines.

The (EMD) is also responsible for managing other community-based services and emergency management services when required and to assist in the communication needs of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The (EMD) has a key role in delivering an effective response to emergencies within an established set of key performance indicator response times.

Deploys resources to areas where cover is required or to respond to incidents as they arise to ensure the nearest available resource responds to emergencies.

Communication skills for efficient and effective call taking of EMS, ICS and related calls and requests in order to meet service user’s needs in a timely manner and within the framework of policies, procedures and guidelines. Emergency Medical Controller (Emergency Call Taker/ Dispatcher) will have a key role in the future operation of alternative referral pathways.
Delivering an effective response to emergencies within an established set of performance indicator response times.

National Ambulance Service

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
• Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
• Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
• Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
• Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerised data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
• Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
• Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
• Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Eligibility Criteria for the Grade of EMD-Emergency Medical Dispatcher:

(a) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability, for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

(B) Have successfully completed an emergency service Call Taker course accredited by PHECC 

(C) Hold current Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System certification by closing date of relevant campaign

National Ambulance Service 

You can register your interest for specific grades by emailing [email protected]. When a competition for this grade of staff is about to be launched you will receive an email notification, alerting you to the campaign advertisement.

You can also register for alerts on www.publicjobs.ie where all HSE and NAS recruitment campaigns are advertised.

Campaigns are also advertised on the HSE website 

See also: National Ambulance Service

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €47k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, experience, and shift pattern. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ National Ambulance Service

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, with an additional 2,800 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. There was a large volume of new employment permits issued in 2022, primarily for healthcare assistants, with a number of mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey also for healthcare assistants.

There has been a decline in the number of healthcare awards in FET over the period 2017-2021, falling from 3,081 to 2,159. A recent report by SOLAS indicates that approximately half of FET graduates from healthcare courses who were in substantial employment were employed in the health sector.58 The fall in the supply from FET, along with increased demand across the hospital and nursing home sectors for healthcare assistants given the ageing demographics in Ireland, is resulting in shortages.

• National Ambulance Service

  • Rivers Building, Tallaght Cross, Tallaght, Dublin 24
  • (01) 4631624
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here