Yorkshire Ambulance Service 999 Call Handler (Emergency Health Advisor): How to Apply

At Yorkshire Ambulance Service the 999 call handler role is also known as an Emergency Health Advisor. This guide covers the job, the Wakefield and York control rooms, training, pay, and progression.

The 999 Call Handler Role at Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) covers nearly 6,000 square miles of varied terrain — from isolated moors and dales to coastline, inner cities, and urban areas — serving a population of over five million people across Yorkshire and the Humber. Its 999 call handlers, also known as Emergency Health Advisors (EHAs), answer emergency and non-emergency calls within the Emergency Operations Centre. No medical qualification is needed to start; full training is provided.

What the Role Involves

As an Emergency Health Advisor you take 999 calls from members of the public and give appropriate advice to care for patients until the ambulance arrives. The role also involves taking emergency calls from police and fire services, and handling emergency and non-emergency bookings from healthcare professionals, nurses, and hospitals for patient transfers. It is varied work that goes beyond the public 999 line.

Where You Would Work and the Training

YAS runs Emergency Operations Centres in Wakefield and York. Full training is provided, with classroom training during office hours Monday to Friday at Wakefield or York, followed by a period of mentorship to support your development. Successful candidates are asked to commit to 100% attendance on the training course and during the mentorship period, so it is important to be able to clear your diary for that stretch.

Pay and Progression

The Emergency Health Advisor role is graded at NHS Agenda for Change Band 3. As Yorkshire is outside the London High Cost Area, base Band 3 rates apply — £24,937 rising to £26,598 for 2025/26 — plus unsocial-hours enhancements for nights, weekends, and bank holidays. There is also a clear progression path: once established as a 999 call handler you can move into roles such as EOC dispatcher, EOC quality auditor, EOC practice developer in the training team, or towards team leader and managerial positions. Our pay and bands guide covers earnings in detail.

How to Apply

YAS vacancies appear on the trust's careers site and NHS Jobs. Expect an online application with a supporting statement, online assessments, and a values-based interview. Prepare a tailored supporting statement, practise the assessment formats — you can try free demos of all six 999 call handler assessment tests — and ready your STAR examples. For a wider view, see our guides to the London and North West ambulance call handler roles. 999ready is an independent preparation resource and is not affiliated with Yorkshire Ambulance Service; always check the official YAS careers site for current vacancies and requirements.