Job overview
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is seeking exceptional, forward-thinking Senior Dispatchers to play a critical leadership role within our Integrated Contact Centres (ICCs) in Bicester and Otterbourne.
This is a pivotal operational post responsible for ensuring the safe, effective coordination and deployment of emergency resources, maintaining operational continuity, and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care in both routine and major incident conditions.
As a Senior Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the smooth running of the dispatch function throughout your shift, ensuring resources are optimally utilised and performance standards are achieved in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and are passionate about leading teams to deliver safe, effective emergency care, we would love to hear from you; please indicate your preferred location.
Apply today and help ensure the right response, at the right time, for every patient.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Dispatcher, you will:
* Provide operational leadership and oversight of dispatch activity, allocating duties and monitoring performance levels
* Ensure safe, effective, and timely deployment of resources, adapting plans dynamically in response to demand, incidents, and system pressures
* Act as a key operational link between dispatch, frontline crews, and specialist services (e.g. HART, HEMS) to support coordinated incident response
* Maintain operational continuity during major incidents, resource shortages, or system disruption, including providing emergency cover where required
* Support real-time information flow, escalation, and reporting to Dispatch Team Leaders and Tactical Performance Managers
* Promote and embed joint working principles (JESIP) and support the continuous improvement of Business Continuity and Incident Response frameworks
* Ensure compliance with Trust policies, SOPs, governance standards, and relevant legislation (e.g. FOI, Data Protection)
* Support the implementation of new systems, processes, and change initiatives within the ICC
* Lead, coach, and mentor dispatch staff, supporting adherence to protocols and development of performance improvement
* Monitor and review team performance, taking proactive action to maintain standards and drive improvement
* Support the development of new staff and contribute to a positive, high-performing team culture
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
* Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
* Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
* Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
* Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
* Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
* NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
* Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
If you would like an informal discussion around this post, please contact Joe Grant - EOC Duty Manager - Joe.Grant@scas.nhs.uk
Person specification
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
* 4 GCSEs at Grade C or equivalent qualifications or demonstrable ability
* Experience in dispatch/deployment in an ambulance service
* Demonstrable experience of working within an emergency operations centre
* NVQ3 in a relevant subject or equivalent experience
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
* Previous/ongoing demonstrable experience of working with designated IT systems and associated governance (i.e. Computer Aided Dispatch systems, LifeX, radio etiquette policy etc)
* Day-to-day experience of using the full range of Microsoft Office Applications
Desirable criteria
* Previous NHS experience/Health Service Policies
* Tactical Commander trained
* Communications Tactical Commander trained
We understand that some applicants may choose to use AI tools to assist with completing their application. While this is not against our guidelines, it’s important that your application remains an accurate and honest reflection of your own skills, experience, and achievements. Please ensure that any content generated or supported by AI truly represents you and your capabilities, as this will form the basis of our assessment throughout the recruitment process.
We actively welcome job applications from candidates who have a disability or who are members of the BAME, LGBTQ+ and Armed Forces community (including: Reservists, Veterans, Spouses and Cadets). Here at SCAS we are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).
Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.
As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff.