1Decide if a career as an EMD is right for you
See the Emergency Medical Dispatcher Job Description
2Review and ensure if you meet the required qualifications
Applicants must review and ensure they meet the required Qualifications.
We will give preference to applicants with a Certificate in Emergency Communications or Public Safety. Please provide a valid Occupational First Aid 2 (OFA2) Certificate and a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPRC) prior to the posting closing date.
Applicants who demonstrate they meet the required qualifications on their resume will be contacted.
Preference will be given to applicants who have a Certificate in Emergency Communications or Public Safety. Applicants require an Occupational First Aid 2 (OFA2) Certificate and a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPRC) to be considered.
5Typing Test
You will be required to demonstrate typing ability of 40 words per minute through an online typing test.
6Further Assessments
If you are successful with the online typing test you will be invited for further assessment.
Applicants are required to write a Geography Exam (multiple choice) to evaluate their knowledge in these areas:
- Hospitals and provincial health authorities within the province of B.C.
- Transportation routes including highways, major roads, bridges, and ferries in B.C.
- Cities and towns in B.C.
- B.C. Ambulance Service Districts
Understanding the geography of the province is an important aspect of working as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD). Any EMD in any Dispatch Operations Centre can take a call for any community within BC not just the operating area they work in. The following are tools and resources to help you prepare for the Geography Exam:
- Geography Exam Excerpt: Four sample questions from a typical geography exam.
- Health Authorities and Hospitals: A list of hospitals and addresses.
- Highways and Major Routes: A directory of highway numbers and descriptions within the province of British Columbia.
- BC Ferries: This website contains the names and locations of the terminals for all BC Ferries services within the province.
In addition to the Geography Exam, BCAS uses a program called Criticall which is a simulation of the computerized technology of an emergency dispatch environment testing the skills and abilities necessary for success as an EMD.
7Interview
If you are successful at assessment and the online typing test you will be contacted for an interview.
8Reference Checks
Reference Checks will be conducted on all applicants who are successful in their interview.
9Offer of Employment
Applicants successful in the interview with positive references may receive an offer of employment. This offer is subject to a satisfactory pre-employment medical and criminal record search. BC Ambulance Service will reimburse applicants for the cost of the pre-employment medical at the time a formal job is offered. Applicants are responsible for the cost of the criminal records check conducted by the Ministry of Justice.
All steps successfully completed!
You begin your employment and BCAS will provide any further training to ensure you can excel in your new career!
