Emergency medical call-takers are the calm, reassuring voice on the other end of the line. They are often the first point of contact when someone calls 9-1-1.
Emergency Medical Call Takers (EMCTs) work in BCEHS
dispatch operations centres in Vancouver, Langford (Victoria) and Kamloops. These centres run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support patients and communities across BC.
As an emergency medical call-taker, you:
- Answer 9-1-1 calls
- Gather important information from callers
- Assess patients using approved protocols and systems
- Work with dispatch to send the right emergency response
During some calls, you may give life-saving instructions using a computerized triage system.
You focus on strong customer service and high-quality patient care. To do this, you must:
- Collect accurate information quickly
- Think and act fast
- Show empathy to callers
- Handle multiple tasks at once
- Stay calm under pressure
Every call is different. You may handle:
- Minor injuries, such as scrapes or falls
- Serious emergencies, such as cardiac arrest or trauma
No matter the situation, you must stay calm, focused and supportive.
Some calls may involve guiding callers to other services, such as HealthLink BC (8-1-1), if that is the best option for their care.
The dispatch centre is fast-paced, but your focus always stays on the patient and providing the best possible service.
