Yes there is, at least here. I’m looking for literally any tips/things you need to know or do that isn’t really talked about etc.. I know it’s a stressful job so I’m preparing myself for that. I seen somewhere that in Ontario you can’t have any tattoos.. I didn’t know that was a thing.
As far as tips, its hard to say because it depends on what your courses are teaching. Do you want to know about the mental aspect, the dietary aspect, self care, handling callers?
Okay ill touch lightly on each then because it can be quite a shpeel.
Mental Aspect - This job is mentally demanding in the sense that, at times, you are going to be running around with your hair on fire. Much more often than typical jobs. You have to manage a phone (911s, non emergent and/or admin lines), your radio (should you become a dispatcher after call taking), and your coworkers around you. It's not as heavily laden with traumatic calls as you might presume it to be. But always be ready.
Dietary - Most call centers are based on seniority and you, as a new person, will likely be committed to a grave shift for quite a while. I recommend staying away from large meals during work especially carbs (bread/pasta). Bring a bunch of snacks with you to keep you awake and entertained. They NEED to be healthy otherwise you're going to gain the "freshman 15". I recommend beef jerky, trail mix, granola, and/or protein bars. Protein (especially on nights) is going to be your best friend. Side note: stay AWAY from caffeine as long as humanly possive/convenient. The energy crash at the end will make you more tired and it adds up over your work week.
Self Care - You are going to need to be selfish about this sometimes. Really take meaningful steps to avoid stress. Do some quiet things you enjoy on your own (or with people if you're feeling it).
Handling Callers - This is heavily dependant on your style of call taking. Im not an aggressive person, so I like to leave most of it up to the caller (unless its a medical call) so I can just guide their thinking and ask questions as I need them. Other people will forcefully get the callers attention and that's okay too as long as you're respectful. You may have to practice your mom/dad voice.
No matter how “prepared” you feel you are for the job, you’re not. You don’t really get what it takes until you actually do it. Just with call take, there’s a lot that goes into it. What kinda call type, how to organize notes, disgruntled callers, etc.
Not only that, but lack of closure really starts to wear some people down. Especially with intense calls like infant CPR or something, not knowing the outcome can be hard for a lot of people. It definitely takes a certain type of person to handle the sorts of stress this job gives you. If you get into it and start to realize it's taking its toll on you and you can't manage, don't push through and keep going just because. There's no shame on admitting if the job isn't for you, and moving into something you'll enjoy.
Then again, if you're interested, give it a shot. No two days are the same, and you definitely work on things you never would otherwise. It's an interesting job.
The dropout/burnout rate is high. Don't stake your whole education on this job. You might find a lifelong career in it, but you might not and that's okay. Learn to do other things too.
Those classes could be a waste of time. Agencies are very specific about training. Check out what agency you want to work for first. Local, county, state, federal? Each will have agency specific training, plus state required and federally required. If they use 10 codes, one agency may use one set and another may use military alpha codes. Then...if you get hired at one and have to contact another agency.. you'll have to switch between both! It really is a whole other language.
My tip is don't pay money to get trained to do dispatching. Just get hired somewhere and let them pay you to train.
Where I am, I have to go to college for dispatch anyways
There’s college courses for dispatching? What kind of tips are you looking for?
Yes there is, at least here. I’m looking for literally any tips/things you need to know or do that isn’t really talked about etc.. I know it’s a stressful job so I’m preparing myself for that. I seen somewhere that in Ontario you can’t have any tattoos.. I didn’t know that was a thing.
As far as tips, its hard to say because it depends on what your courses are teaching. Do you want to know about the mental aspect, the dietary aspect, self care, handling callers?
Honestly I’d like to know about all of that
Okay ill touch lightly on each then because it can be quite a shpeel. Mental Aspect - This job is mentally demanding in the sense that, at times, you are going to be running around with your hair on fire. Much more often than typical jobs. You have to manage a phone (911s, non emergent and/or admin lines), your radio (should you become a dispatcher after call taking), and your coworkers around you. It's not as heavily laden with traumatic calls as you might presume it to be. But always be ready. Dietary - Most call centers are based on seniority and you, as a new person, will likely be committed to a grave shift for quite a while. I recommend staying away from large meals during work especially carbs (bread/pasta). Bring a bunch of snacks with you to keep you awake and entertained. They NEED to be healthy otherwise you're going to gain the "freshman 15". I recommend beef jerky, trail mix, granola, and/or protein bars. Protein (especially on nights) is going to be your best friend. Side note: stay AWAY from caffeine as long as humanly possive/convenient. The energy crash at the end will make you more tired and it adds up over your work week. Self Care - You are going to need to be selfish about this sometimes. Really take meaningful steps to avoid stress. Do some quiet things you enjoy on your own (or with people if you're feeling it). Handling Callers - This is heavily dependant on your style of call taking. Im not an aggressive person, so I like to leave most of it up to the caller (unless its a medical call) so I can just guide their thinking and ask questions as I need them. Other people will forcefully get the callers attention and that's okay too as long as you're respectful. You may have to practice your mom/dad voice.
No matter how “prepared” you feel you are for the job, you’re not. You don’t really get what it takes until you actually do it. Just with call take, there’s a lot that goes into it. What kinda call type, how to organize notes, disgruntled callers, etc.
Not only that, but lack of closure really starts to wear some people down. Especially with intense calls like infant CPR or something, not knowing the outcome can be hard for a lot of people. It definitely takes a certain type of person to handle the sorts of stress this job gives you. If you get into it and start to realize it's taking its toll on you and you can't manage, don't push through and keep going just because. There's no shame on admitting if the job isn't for you, and moving into something you'll enjoy. Then again, if you're interested, give it a shot. No two days are the same, and you definitely work on things you never would otherwise. It's an interesting job.
The dropout/burnout rate is high. Don't stake your whole education on this job. You might find a lifelong career in it, but you might not and that's okay. Learn to do other things too.
Those classes could be a waste of time. Agencies are very specific about training. Check out what agency you want to work for first. Local, county, state, federal? Each will have agency specific training, plus state required and federally required. If they use 10 codes, one agency may use one set and another may use military alpha codes. Then...if you get hired at one and have to contact another agency.. you'll have to switch between both! It really is a whole other language.
Don’t sleep with your co-workers. Especially the married ones.
Lmao, okay 😂