Dispatcher
Arrange transport for people who have no other way of getting to health appointments safely and on time.
Also known as: scheduled care coordinator, PTS controller, patient transport service controller
About the job
What it's like
You would arrange transport for people who have no other way of getting to health appointments safely and on time.
Patient transport services (PTS) are part of the scheduled care ambulance control team. The service is usually for people who are elderly, have disabilities, or are frail and vulnerable.
You would:
Deal with requests for transport from patients, relatives and healthcare professionals
Take accurate records of patients’ details
Make decisions on the best use of vehicles and drivers
Book transport slots for the same day, the following day or up to eight weeks ahead
When deciding on the best form of transport, you would ask about the patient and the level of support needed on their journey. You would think about whether the patient can walk, whether they need a wheelchair and whether they will need a stretcher.
Most jobs are in the National Health Service (NHS), working for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The NHS salary for this role is covered by the Agenda for Change pay rates. You can check the salary for this role on the NHS Careers website.
Hours
You would usually work 37.5 hours a week, including weekends, bank holidays and shifts covering times when the scheduled care ambulance service is available. Part-time hours may also be available.
Environment
You would work in an office as part of a team.
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Related industries
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Transport
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- business software
- employee engagement
- continuous improvement process
- service level
- order processing
- health and safety standards
- occupational safety and health
- housekeeping
- resourcing
- forklift truck
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- reliable
- time management
- developing a plan
- sorting
- attention to detail
- observation
- written communication
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Care
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but most employers value a good general education.
Qualifications that show:
Understanding of the sector such as Skills for Work Health Sector (SCQF level 6)
Customer care skills such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Customer Services (SVQ level 2/3)
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