Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex are recruiting a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Dispatcher, based at the Emergency Operations Centre in either Medway (Gillingham) or Crawley.
The role involves identifying suitable calls, tasking resources, and providing ongoing remote support to Air Ambulance helicopters and response cars using a decision support tool.
As the first link in the HEMS service chain, the dispatcher must recognise which patients will benefit from rapid enhanced care. The role is challenging and requires close work with the SECAmb critical care desk, alongside making independent decisions about dispatching aircraft or response vehicles. Strong focus and concentration are essential, particularly regarding flight safety and support during patient transfers.
The HEMS desk operates 24/7, with dispatchers working 12‑hour rotating shifts across day and night operations.
We are looking for a reliable individual with some understanding of 999 call taking or resource dispatch, able to work as part of the HEMS team within the SECAmb EOC and represent the charity professionally.
The role requires extensive use of computer and communication systems, strong verbal communication skills, and the ability to prioritise urgent tasks.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Main duties of the job
This role will be complex and challenging at times. You will work closely with the SECAmb critical care desk to assist with appropriate tasking and resourcing of incidents, but also need to make autonomous decisions about dispatching the HEMS aircraft or response cars. This role will require a high degree of focus and concentration, especially in relation to flight safety issues and remote support of the HEMS team on scene and during patient transfer to hospital.
The HEMS desk operates 24/7 with dispatchers working a 12 hour rotating shift pattern to support both daytime and night time aircraft dispatch and operations.
We are seeking a sensible and reliable person with some understanding of the 999 call taking and resource dispatch function that can work as a member of the HEMS team within the SECAmb EOC and represent the charity and the service we deliver.
There will be a high degree of computer and communication equipment use and this post will be subject to the Display Screen Equipment guidance issued by the HSE.
Good verbal communication skills will be essential and the ability to prioritise urgent tasks.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1.1 The post holder is required to comply fully with Trust standard operational procedures and clinical guidelines and to respond promptly to instructions from senior staff
1.2 The post holder is required to work within the SECAmb Emergency Operations Centre and abide by the code of conduct for the specific workplace. While this post is a KSS position, they will also be responsible to the duty EOC manager for their conduct and welfare during the working shift
1.3 Must be able to work autonomously, guided by agreed tasking and operating procedures, protocols and code of conduct
1.4 Provide the principal point for information and advice within the whole EOC structure on the HEMS service and uphold the highest degree of professional standards as a representative of the Trust
1.5 To identify emergency calls which meet the agreed immediate tasking procedure, gather the required information to task a HEMS aircraft and dispatch the most appropriate resource without undue delay
1.6 To work with the Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) staffing the Critical Care Desk (CCD) to agree the level of response required to incidents that do not trigger an immediate response of a HEMS aircraft and to ensure that the availability of the service is communicated to the CCD.
1.7 To agree with the CCP staffing the Critical Care Desk actions following a stand down request made by a SECAmb crew after the tasking of a HEMS response to an incident meeting the immediate activation criteria and where required use the telephone support provided by the AAKSS Duty Manager.
1.8 Prioritise multiple requests or re-tasking of the service using the support of the Critical Care Desk and the AAKSS Duty Clinical Manager where required
1.9 To provide a focussed flight following service to the aircraft following dispatch ensuring that the agreed cardinal safety calls are responded to and that oversight and awareness of the progress of the aircraft is maintained throughout flight and landing. In the event of an aircraft emergency, arrange an immediate emergency response to the site as laid out in the respective procedure
1.10 Liaise with external agencies such as the Police to arrange for landing sites or carriageways to be secured in advance of the aircraft arriving. Co-ordinate with other aircraft operators such as HM Coastguard or NPAS to ensure that in the event of multiple aircraft attending the same incident, or operating within close proximity that this information is passed to the AAKSS aircrew to allow to de-confliction measures to be taken
1.11 Ensure that the SECAmb CAD record is maintained with dispatch notes and scene updates from the enhanced care team. Liaise with the Critical Care Desk and the relevant Resource Dispatcher to ensure that any incident is appropriately resourced.
1.12 Maintain the KSS electronic database to record shift data, personnel on duty, tasks and other flight data such as aircraft movements, PR events and training flights
1.13 Maintain an overview of hospital helipad availability both within the SECAmb operating area and a small number of sites used frequently outside of the area. Liaise with other services and the military to ensure no aircraft confliction occurs at sites within SECAmb and manage access to the out of area helipads with the host ambulance trust
1.14 Accurately record aircraft availability and reasons for offline periods. Ensure that any change to the availability of the aircraft is communicated to the Critical Care Desk
1.15 Ensure the safety of the enhanced care team when they are tasked to potentially hazardous or hostile situations. Pass on without delay details of hazards, threats or scene safety concerns and agree with the Critical Care Desk, rendezvous points in line with the SECAmb response. Ensure clear details are passed if a scene is identified as potentially hazardous or hostile prior to the arrival of the enhanced care team
1.16 The HEMS Dispatcher will participate in the regular governance sessions, where tasking decisions will be audited and reviewed and matched against the patient treatment delivered. Regular attendance at these sessions will be a key part of the duties and active participation will be expected to drive the review process and to improve both individual and system performance
1.17 To pass and successfully maintain skills taught through the approved Medical Passenger Course, relevant to the rules of HEMS dispatch and flight following, taught as part of the induction process
Person specification
Specification
Essential criteria
1. GCSE C or 5 and above
2. Clean Driving license
3. currently work within secambe eoc in a role directly associated with patients
4. experience of working in emergency services control centre or similar
Desirable criteria
5. JESIP Control and command Qualification
6. CAD and communication equipment
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
7. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
8. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications