Job overview
Locations: We are recruiting for Call Handlers based at our Integrated Contact Centres (ICC) across the North West. Candidates should only apply for the advert for the site they wish to work from.
This advert is for our Manchester Site.
Salary: Band 3. Basic pay £22,816 rising to £24,336 after two years. For potential earnings with shift enhancements/unsocial hour payments but not including overtime, a typical call handler on a basic salary of £24,336 who works approximately 25% of their hours as unsocial hours could expect to get paid in the region of £30,000 per annum, before tax and deductions.
Are you someone who thrives in high-pressure environments? Do you have a passion for being the first point of contact for those in need when they need us the most? Can you provide a voice of reassurance and support? If so, North West Ambulance is looking for individuals like you to make a real difference!
Join our team and take on a vital role as a call handler for North West Ambulance.
You will need experience of data input (Office 365) and a high standard of keyboard/typing skills. Experience of working in a call centre or customer service environment is desirable. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for providing excellent customer service. You will also have a flair for telephone communication and enjoy working in a role that is challenging as it is rewarding.
Main duties of the job
Call Handlers working in an integrated call centre will be the person managing a variety of calls from a wide range of different patients. Calls may range from people requiring general medical advice, emergency dental treatment or looking to arrange ambulance transport ahead of an appointment. The call handler gathers as much information as possible, where applicable, assess the call, and provide clear, correct advice that could potentially save a life, whilst remaining calm under pressure.
Handling a wide range of calls and thriving amid the challenges this presents, requires an outstanding amount of resilience and emotional strength as you will be supporting unwell and upset patients at their time of need. Your support will make a difference to lives and requires people who can be there for those that need it, sometimes in the face of adversity and trauma.
This is a highly pressurised environment where you may be in contact with people in extremely stressful situations; our callers can be upset, angry, anxious, or hysterical. People call the ambulance service for a variety of reasons, and you would need to be confident in dealing with a range of people in varying situations. You will be working in a fast-paced environment and must be able to adapt to change quickly and must be aware of the stresses of the role and what impact this may have on you as an individual, considering these points carefully before applying.
Working for our organisation
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.
Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.
We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.
Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.
We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Person specification
Skills / Competencies
Essential criteria
1. Keyboard / data entry skills
2. Competent and confident user of computer-based information systems
3. Demonstrable verbal & written communication skills
4. Ability to follow and interpret policy and procedures
5. Demonstrable effective listening, analytical and decision-making skills
6. Ability to deal with queries from the public/patients in a tactful and appropriate manner, demonstrating empathy and compassion
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
7. Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent (one of which must be English), or in the absence of such, previous call handling/customer service experience.
Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
8. Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation
9. Ability to work as part of a team
10. Ability to use own initiative
11. Maintaining and understanding client confidentiality
12. Excellent interpersonal skills
13. Evidence of self-development and assisting others to develop
14. Commitment to punctuality, flexible shift working, and understanding of 365 day/24 hour rostering