Emergency medical call-takers (EMCTs) or emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) working with the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) must enjoy responsibility and have the skill and ability to:

• Approach problems and decisions methodically
• Demonstrate the use of sound judgement when making decisions
• Adapt quickly in a dynamic environment
• Prioritize multiple competing tasks
• Readily assume a leadership role
• Help foster a team atmosphere in the workplace
• Communicate and actively build relationships with other team members
• Actively seek win-win solutions
• Be comfortable with healthy conflict and support/manage differences of opinions
• Keep emotions in perspective within the workplace‎
  

BCEHS accepts applications on an on-going basis for part-time positions as EMCTs and EMDs in the Vancouver Island and Kamloops Dispatch/Communications Centres. The Lower Mainland Dispatch/Communications Centre will only accept applications for full-time positions.

BCEHS accepts applications on an on-going basis for part-time positions as EMCTs and EMDs in the Vancouver Island and Kamloops Dispatch/Communications Centres. The Lower Mainland Dispatch/Communications Centre will only accept applications for full-time positions.

Part-time EMCTs and EMDs must be available for a minimum of 8 shifts per month (where a shift is normally 12.5 hours). There is no minimum number of hours guaranteed.

Full-time EMCTs and EMDs are assigned a shift pattern described in the BC Ambulance Service Collective Agreement (see Schedule A, which begins on page 97).

A normal shift for an EMCT or EMD is 12½ hours.

EMCTs and EMDs work a variety of shift patterns. The most common is 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts, followed by 6 days off. Other shift patterns include 10 hour days (2 days shifts and 2 night shifts followed by 4 days off) or 7 hour days (5 day shifts followed by 2 days off).

Shift start and end times vary according by centre.

The starting salary for emergency medical call-takers and emergency medical dispatchers is paid in accordance with the BC Ambulance Service Collective Agreement.

EMDs require a Grade 12 education, a current Occupational First Aid certificate and a valid CRP-C certificate. The minimum age requirement to work as an EMD is 19 years of age.

We examine criminal record search results on a case-by-case basis. BCEHS examines each offence to assess whether it impacts the ability of an individual to perform the role of EMCT or EMD.‎

EMDs with BCEHS can pursue a variety of career options in the areas of training and quality improvement. Additional career advancement opportunities include supervisor or superintendent positions. Employees hired with an OFA 3 and a CPR-C must complete additional training if they are interested in working as a paramedic.

To work as a paramedic, BCEHS requires individuals to hold a Primary Care Paramedic license. Employees originally hired as an EMD who are interested in becoming a paramedic must also meet the BCEHS paramedic medical/physical requirement. Providing you obtained your license and passed the medical/physical, you then would be eligible to apply for career opportunities as a paramedic.

You can apply for a job as an EMD in more than one region. It is important to remember that the selection process may differ slightly based on the region specific testing required. As well, Vancouver only accepts applications for full-time employment.

The EMD Training Program is mandatory. It takes between 4 to 12 months to complete.

In the training program, we will teach you the skills necessary to be an EMD with BCEHS. Completing this program successfully is the key to beginning a career as an EMD with the BCEHS.

The training program is intensive and demanding, but you should always remember that you’ve gotten this far. At this stage, with hard work and focus, you should be successful.

Please also note that we will pay you to attend training. You will begin your probationary period once you have successfully completed your training.

While you do not have to attend a training program for public safety communications, we will give preference to applicants who have completed a training program of this type.