Call Taker / Communications Officer (Emergency Medical Dispatcher)

About the role

St John WA is recruiting Communications Officers for its State Control Centre in the 2027 intake, with limited places available. The role answers urgent and non-urgent calls for ambulance attendance, gathers information, assesses the situation and helps coordinate the right ambulance response. It is a full-time permanent position with a 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off schedule.

Key responsibilities

• Receive and assess calls for ambulance assistance and prioritise them according to service targets.
• Dispatch ambulance resources promptly and efficiently.
• Give pre-arrival instructions and post-dispatch information following Medical Priority Dispatch protocols.
• Record call and patient information accurately in computer-aided dispatch systems and call logs.
• Communicate with callers, ambulance crews and internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a calm, professional and customer-focused approach.
• Build knowledge of locations across Western Australia and follow established procedures and the Medical Priority Dispatch System requirements.

Required profile

• Calm, compassionate and professional in stressful situations, with good listening and clear communication.
• Strong computer and keyboard skills with high accuracy, and able to manage several systems and tasks at once.
• Sound judgement, resilience, patience and respect for people from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to complete the required induction training and accreditation; previous emergency communications experience is not essential.
• Must be able to attend 8 weeks of training and have no approved annual leave in the first six months.

What we offer

• Induction training leading to Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher accreditation through the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch.
• Ongoing professional development and continuing dispatch education.
• A career in emergency communications and ambulance operations within a team focused on patient safety.

Applications close on 21 November; the first intake starts 14 February 2027. An information session is held on 29 October 2026.