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Emergency Medical Controller

  • 20-04-2009 7:35pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭


    Would like to know more about this position, would appreciate anybody out there who can fill me in on the Job and what its like to work as an EMC,


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,267 ✭✭✭Elessar


    Afaik it's working full-time in a communications center as kind of a dispatch for the ambulance service. I.e. you answer calls from the public who have dialled 999, find out what's wrong, get the address, tell them what to do and dispatch an ambulance to scene.

    I believe you have to undergo full Paramedic training. I think aswell, if a major incident occurs you would have to drive out to scene in one of the mobile communications trucks and work from there.

    Not everybody's cup of tea.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Elessar wrote: »
    Afaik it's working full-time in a communications center as kind of a dispatch for the ambulance service. I.e. you answer calls from the public who have dialled 999, find out what's wrong, get the address, tell them what to do and dispatch an ambulance to scene.

    I believe you have to undergo full Paramedic training. I think aswell, if a major incident occurs you would have to drive out to scene in one of the mobile communications trucks and work from there.

    Not everybody's cup of tea.

    New EMC's DO NOT undertake full Paramedic training.

    Job description as described otherwise. There is also routine patient transport calls to be taken care of too. This is coordination the transfer of patients from one medical faciltiy to another or discharges from hospital to a home address or nursing home for example.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,267 ✭✭✭Elessar


    What level of training do they receive?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Elessar wrote: »
    What level of training do they receive?

    Typing/communication skills. The ins and outs of the vehicle tracking system, the Ambulance service CAD dispatch system. Rough, very rough knowledge of catchment areas.

    There's is no medical or even as much as basic first aid training given.

    This has been recognised as a problem for responding crews because new generation controllers have no training in medical priority. For example a doctor gives in a call as an M.I. and the new controllers are not thought what these abbreviations mean.

    In the past controllers came from Paramedics on the road. If you were injured or had spent many years on the road then you applied to go into the control room. You took a bundle of knowledge in there with you.

    But now since EMC's are recruited from the street we have lost that background knowledge that a lot feel is needed in a controller.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,267 ✭✭✭Elessar


    Wait, so an EMC cannot tell a caller how to do CPR in the event of an arrest? That doesn't make any sense, even for the HSE.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Elessar wrote: »
    Wait, so an EMC cannot tell a caller how to do CPR in the event of an arrest? That doesn't make any sense, even for the HSE.

    That's the way it is unfortunatly.
    Although there are still some controllers who were originally on the road, as these retire they are replaced with controllers with no medical training whatsoever.

    There is the MPDS system in place but it's not used everywhere and it's certainly not used in the Eastern Region.
    This system prompts the controller with instruction on certain treatments, CPR for example.
    It also allows the controller to "grade" calls which is an excellent facility, when used, but it isn't (used).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Well Lads, thanks for the info, I need some info if you could help me, I have got through to the interview stage of the EMC in the HSE, If you could give me some info on the CAD system, how the EMC interacts whilst dispatching ambulances, how to prioritise different calls, how the rationalisation of the HSE will affect Amulance C&C centers throughout Ireland and any other info would be great, thanks in advance, sisu


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    Well Lads, thanks for the info, I need some info if you could help me, I have got through to the interview stage of the EMC in the HSE, If you could give me some info on the CAD system, how the EMC interacts whilst dispatching ambulances, how to prioritise different calls, how the rationalisation of the HSE will affect Amulance C&C centers throughout Ireland and any other info would be great, thanks in advance, sisu

    Sisu you should really have arranged a visit to the control room in your area by now so you could become familiar with the systems in use.
    What part of the country are you based? We may be able to arrange a visit for you.
    I could probably sort something for you in the Eastern Region.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Bang Bang, would be great if that could be arranged, I am an hour South from Dublin, have been trying to get in to have a look around with no success, people on holidays etc etc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    Bang Bang, would be great if that could be arranged, I am an hour South from Dublin, have been trying to get in to have a look around with no success, people on holidays etc etc

    PM me your name and contact details and we'll sort it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,237 ✭✭✭darragh o meara


    Interview results out tomorrow


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Results are surely out and I am happy, got placed on the panel and it's great:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

    Hope everyone got what they wanted:)

    However I only got placed on the panel with the Help and Support of people on Boards.ie:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,237 ✭✭✭darragh o meara


    Hi Sisu, Where were you placed on the panel? Best of luck in the job. B your name you sound like your from a Military background..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    Results are surely out and I am happy, got placed on the panel and it's great:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

    Hope everyone got what they wanted:)

    However I only got placed on the panel with the Help and Support of people on Boards.ie:)

    Delighted for you, well done;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 bocboc


    Anyone know when NAS may start recruiting from this panel?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    bocboc wrote: »
    Anyone know when NAS may start recruiting from this panel?

    AFAIK there will be no movement until at least Chrismas, this is what I have been told, the last panel is all used up, and the new panel is now in effect


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    AFAIK there will be no movement until at least Chrismas, this is what I have been told, the last panel is all used up, and the new panel is now in effect


    What are the chances of that happening, the panel for this is on the move

    First letters/emails of interest out today to be sent back by next Friday:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    What are the chances of that happening, the panel for this is on the move

    First letters/emails of interest out today to be sent back by next Friday:)


    Never count the chickens before they hatch, got a text from the HSE this morning, after sending in the letters last week, everything is now on hold for EMC role, unbelieveable, I wonder is this done on purpose, get your hopes up and then pull the rug from under ya, anyway will sit tight for another long while:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭Bang Bang


    There will be two vacancies in the Dublin control centre at the beginning of October because two EMC's there were successful in being placed on the Trainee Paramedic panel and will start training in October.
    But, the Kildare control centre is due to close down with operations moving to the Dublin control. Staff in Kildare will have to be relocated to Dublin or redeployed to other duties.
    Not everyone will opt to be relocated so a vancancy may still arise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    Thanks for the update bang bang, will keep the aul fingers crossed, hopefully things will move soon ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 lady_emd


    hi all,
    can anyone tell me how you go about getting on the panel for an EMC please?? Thanks in advance.:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,237 ✭✭✭darragh o meara


    lady_emd wrote: »
    hi all,
    can anyone tell me how you go about getting on the panel for an EMC please?? Thanks in advance.:)

    Keep an eye in the publicjobs.ie website for recruitment which to be honest doesn't come up too often. If you qualify ( leaving cert, c1&d1 driving licence and over 20 wpm typing ) you can apply online. They then run a selection test which includes a typing test and a test to check your call handling skills ie. your listening to a 999 call and you have to take down all the details and decide which service to send and if the call is genuine. You also have to decide if you should divert a crew from one job to your call. Its kinda complicated but you'll get a good brief beforehand.

    If your successful you'll get called for an interview where if your successful you can be placed on a panel. It's not an easy job to get. The interview is the toughest part of the process and if I was to give some advice make sure and arrange a visit to an emergency control room and learn as much as you can about the run of the place and the structure of how the process goes from first receiving the call to actioning the call to wrapping it up and moving onto next call.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34 drill


    From what i have heard,The Hse will be recruiting at least 60-70 calltaker and dispatchers for the new national control centre in Tallaght and unknown numbers the second national control in Ballyshannon.
    Recruitment drive is suppose to start October this year with a selection process as outlined above for a start date sometime in the new year!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,237 ✭✭✭darragh o meara


    drill wrote: »
    From what i have heard,The Hse will be recruiting at least 60-70 calltaker and dispatchers for the new national control centre in Tallaght and unknown numbers the second national control in Ballyshannon.
    Recruitment drive is suppose to start October this year with a selection process as outlined above for a start date sometime in the new year!!

    I'd imagine that's what the last recruitment drive was for. As far as I'm aware very few on the last panel very taken on yet. Recruitment anywhere in the public service this year is going to be near non existent, plus there is going to be a transfer of staff from the control room that's closing down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    I'd imagine that's what the last recruitment drive was for. As far as I'm aware very few on the last panel very taken on yet. Recruitment anywhere in the public service this year is going to be near non existent, plus there is going to be a transfer of staff from the control room that's closing down.

    I am on the panel for this and it is true, as said above, a national panel has been created from the last recruitment drive, I got a letter stating that the plan is to have a new center in Talaght, Sandyford, there has been a total of 3 controllers hired since 2009, as for 60 to 70 controllers, I have not heard this, redoployment will be a big drive for the new center with positions only becoming availible if controllers dont move, and wish to be redployed within the HSE


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34 drill


    Well with Navan , Wexford ,Limerick, Tullamore, Cork, Kerry and Castlebar due to close and Dublin relocating, with staff being offered relocation with in Nas/HSE it is unlikely most of the staff will choose to move to Tallaght or Ballyshannon Cant see many if any from Cork/Kerry/Limerick will travel the distance !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 lady_emd


    Thanks all for yout help. Wonder when they'll actually close the other centres, thought castlebar and kerry closed last year?


    Darragh o Meara- do you still need a c1 AND D1 licence. Thought I heard somewhere they got rid of one of them and only need to have one and intention to get the other or something like that?

    Sisu - u get that letter lately from the HSE bout them employing from panel? I thought with this moratorium (not entirely sure exacty what it is) but thought they weren't hiring anyone new at all as they werent even letting people who had been told they had jobs start in their new positions?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    lady_emd wrote: »
    Thanks all for yout help. Wonder when they'll actually close the other centres, thought castlebar and kerry closed last year?


    Darragh o Meara- do you still need a c1 AND D1 licence. Thought I heard somewhere they got rid of one of them and only need to have one and intention to get the other or something like that?

    Sisu - u get that letter lately from the HSE bout them employing from panel? I thought with this moratorium (not entirely sure exacty what it is) but thought they weren't hiring anyone new at all as they werent even letting people who had been told they had jobs start in their new positions?

    I did get a letter stating that a national panel has been created, and where I have been placed, there have been offers lately, 2 I am aware of for positions, I turned down an offer about 4 months ago (Personal Circumstances) but I am thankfully still on the panel, you do need the C1 and D1 licence for this role, the C&C vehicle is driven by controllers, with the new center going ahead, it looks as if the recruitment drive will go ahead, the moratorium is the restriction placed by the last government and this goverment to stall the hiring of staff across all sectors of the public service, there is however some recruiting for necessary staff


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    OMG I got notification of 6 EMC Positions for the North Leinster region, it's great ot see some movement on this, anyone on here get the notification?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭adam88


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    OMG I got notification of 6 EMC Positions for the North Leinster region, it's great ot see some movement on this, anyone on here get the notification?

    Have ye been giving jobs or are they just letting ye know


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭Sisu200


    adam88 wrote: »
    Have ye been giving jobs or are they just letting ye know


    The jobs are availible x 6, we have to express interest in taking one up


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭adam88


    Sisu200 wrote: »
    adam88 wrote: »
    Have ye been giving jobs or are they just letting ye know


    The jobs are availible x 6, we have to express interest in taking one up

    Congrats I'm on a panel for the pts and we're being told unofficialy that there tryin to redeploy staff from other sections so that's just an urban myth from them seein that ye are being offered positions or even asked to voice ye're interest


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    I've been called to the second stage of the recruitment process for this job with the NIAS next week. If anyone has any info could you please let me know? Thanks!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    How did you get on Medic? I have my interview next week! Eek! All the best!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    grad10 wrote: »
    How did you get on Medic? I have my interview next week! Eek! All the best!

    Hey grad10! I had the aptitude test for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service a few weeks ago. Like most of the aptitude tests its hard to know if it went well or went bad! Anyway, I got the letter 3 weeks later and didn't pass it! Which Ambulance Service are you doing it for? NI or ROI?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    NIAS! Had my speed typing 2 weeks ago and interview this week. Sorry you didn't make it this time! Keep trying! I'm trying to cram everything in at the mo! Everything's so rushed all of a sudden after not hearing anything for so long!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    grad10 wrote: »
    NIAS! Had my speed typing 2 weeks ago and interview this week. Sorry you didn't make it this time! Keep trying! I'm trying to cram everything in at the mo! Everything's so rushed all of a sudden after not hearing anything for so long!

    Exellent! Well done and also best of luck! I'm on the panel for the HSE PTS so waiting to see what happens with that! Its very slow though, painfully!!! Ugh!! It was the same with that, rush rush rush and then nothing for a few weeks and then mad rush again and now nothing! Pain in the ass! Let me know how you get on will you and the very best of luck with it! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    Thanks Medic! Done and dusted, not too bad just a waiting game now! Good luck to you for the HSE!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    grad10 wrote: »
    Thanks Medic! Done and dusted, not too bad just a waiting game now! Good luck to you for the HSE!

    Cool, fair play! Thanks!! :) BTW are u from the North or Republic? When will u find out the results?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    From the north, they said interviews were ongoing until 13th June so I will hear from HR a week or two after that! If successful training commences late July/ early August!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    grad10 wrote: »
    From the north, they said interviews were ongoing until 13th June so I will hear from HR a week or two after that! If successful training commences late July/ early August!

    Great job! I think they said at the aptitude test that over 400 applied and they were taking the best 200 and then shortlisting them again at interview! Do you know how many jobs are available? I forgot to ask them at the test! All the best anyway and hope its good news! Keep me updated!! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 155 ✭✭Shawsy


    Hey I applied for the emd job in ambulance service and got thru all the tests and had my interview a few weeks ago! As someone mentioned before they said they were interviewing until 13th June but still haven't heard anything :(

    Anybody else hear yet??


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    Shawsy wrote: »
    Hey I applied for the emd job in ambulance service and got thru all the tests and had my interview a few weeks ago! As someone mentioned before they said they were interviewing until 13th June but still haven't heard anything :(

    Anybody else hear yet??

    Still waiting on word back too Shawsy! Pretty sure we'll know by the end of the month! Hold tight!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 155 ✭✭Shawsy


    Still waiting on word back too Shawsy! Pretty sure we'll know by the end of the month! Hold tight![/Quote]

    Oh good that makes me feel better!! :)
    Have u any idea how many jobs there are? I heard there were around 200 interviewed but no idea if that is right or not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Medic475


    Shawsy wrote: »
    Still waiting on word back too Shawsy! Pretty sure we'll know by the end of the month! Hold tight!

    Oh good that makes me feel better!! :)
    Have u any idea how many jobs there are? I heard there were around 200 interviewed but no idea if that is right or not.[/QUOTE]

    Yeah 200 interviewed alright and then it'd be shortlisted again to maybe 100. Best of luck!! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    Shawsy wrote: »
    Oh good that makes me feel better!! :)
    Have u any idea how many jobs there are? I heard there were around 200 interviewed but no idea if that is right or not.

    No idea how many they're taking on. Got my letter yesterday and passed the interview stage! Just a pre-employment medical check to go. You heard yet?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 155 ✭✭Shawsy


    grad10 wrote: »
    Shawsy wrote: »
    Oh good that makes me feel better!! :)
    Have u any idea how many jobs there are? I heard there were around 200 interviewed but no idea if that is right or not.

    No idea how many they're taking on. Got my letter yesterday and passed the interview stage! Just a pre-employment medical check to go. You heard yet?

    No havent heard anything so I'm presuming it's probably not good news then! I think I wuda got my letter either yest or today if it had of been good news! :( Ah well can't win em all!

    Well done u, I'm very jealous :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    Shawsy wrote: »
    grad10 wrote: »
    Shawsy wrote: »
    Oh good that makes me feel better!! :)
    Have u any idea how many jobs there are? I heard there were around 200 interviewed but no idea if that is right or not.

    No idea how many they're taking on. Got my letter yesterday and passed the interview stage! Just a pre-employment medical check to go. You heard yet?

    No havent heard anything so I'm presuming it's probably not good news then! I think I wuda got my letter either yest or today if it had of been good news! :( Ah well can't win em all!

    Well done u, I'm very jealous :)

    You never know, and they might have a reserve list too! I've been offered another job aswell subject to medical so I'll have to decide between the two! So I might end up freeing up a wee space for you - not 100% sure what I'm gonna do yet! So keep positive :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 155 ✭✭Shawsy


    You never know, and they might have a reserve list too! I've been offered another job aswell subject to medical so I'll have to decide between the two! So I might end up freeing up a wee space for you - not 100% sure what I'm gonna do yet! So keep positive :)[/Quote]

    I've actually been offered another job (also subject to medical) too so as much as I wud have liked this one it isn't the end of the world-prob would have ended up with a tough decision so at least its taken that out of my hands :)

    Good luck with ur decision!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭grad10


    Shawsy wrote: »
    I've actually been offered another job (also subject to medical) too so as much as I wud have liked this one it isn't the end of the world-prob would have ended up with a tough decision so at least its taken that out of my hands :)

    Good luck with ur decision!

    Thanks I need it - pro's and cons to both jobs really don't know what to do! Had a look to see what other threads you've been posting in and I see 'the other job' is the same for both of us! May end up working together one day after all!


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