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.

Working Life

The Emergency Medical Dispatcher operates as part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team in the National Emergency Operations Centre. 

The EMS Control Education and Training Standard has 2 levels: Call Taker and Dispatcher. This standard was developed and approved by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). 

The Call Taker is a trained individual whose primary responsibility is to take emergency calls while the Dispatcher has the primary role in the dispatch and oversight of the emergency response. 

An emergency medical service (EMS) Call-taker/Dispatcher is a person who is trained and employed in Ambulance Control Centres.

The role is often referred to as Emergency Medical Controller (EMC).  Dublin Fire Brigade refer to the role as 'Emergency Services Controller (ESC)'. 

View Career Explorer for details on the role of the Emergency Medical Controller/Emergency Services Controller. 

An EMC or ESC is trained and employed in emergency medical services control centres. 

This role involves two broad aspects of work: 

• Call Taking: Receiving and prioritising emergency medical 999/112 calls to ensure timely and appropriate response.

• Ambulance Dispatch: Assigning the most suitable ambulance to each emergency based on standard guidelines, while optimising the use of ambulance resources within the operational area.

Successful completion of the EMS Dispatcher standard including assessment leads to the award of the joint recognised institution/PHECC award in EMS Dispatcher.

This award ensures that the EMS Dispatcher has fulfilled the educational and training requirements as prescribed by PHECC, thereby possessing the knowledge, skills and professionalism in line with the expectations of the public and the profession.

The EMS Dispatcher is required to ensure their ongoing competency by participation in continuous professional competency and other in-service training schemes.

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 Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD):

(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

Alerts and information on careers and jobs in the HSE can be viewed on:

• HSE CareerHub     
• HSE Job Search    

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 Publicjobs and where all HSE and NAS recruitment campaigns are advertised.

See also: National Ambulance Service    

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €36k - €51k

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

See HSE pay scales for more details on salary scales.

Data Source(s):
HSE

Last Updated: July, 2025

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Nursing auxiliaries and assistants, Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics), Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment levels have grown strongly in this occupation since 2021, resulting in a strong employment growth rate over the period. There was a high volume of online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and posts for healthcare assistants accounted for the largest share of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland across all occupations. In addition, there was 2,700 employment permits issued in 2023 and a small number of difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey. The number of healthcare support awards has risen each year for the last three years, reaching 2,329 in 2023, although still well below the 2019 level of 2,771.

Demand for this role does not appear to be abating, with shortages expected to continue in the coming years, particularly given increased demand across the hospital and nursing home sectors for healthcare assistants linked to Ireland’s ageing demographics.

• National Ambulance Service

  • Rivers Building, Tallaght Cross, Tallaght, Dublin 24
  • (01) 4631624
  • [email protected]
  • 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

• HSE Career Hub

  • Arás Sláinte Chluainín, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here