PT Telecommunicator

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under guidance from the dispatch supervisor the Telecommunicator receives calls from the public or other dispatch agencies concerning medical emergencies. The Telecommunicator will operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment to receive reports of medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This job has been designated as a Safety Sensitive Position by HCESD11. Public safety, as well as the safety of HCESD11 employees, requires that the employee in this position be able to always perform all essential functions at the highest levels. Therefore, this position is subject to frequent drug testing and requires reporting of all employee use of High-Risk Medications identified by HCESD11 and certification from the employee’s physician that such medications can be safely used while working. Because HCESD11 ’s ability to deliver emergency medical response depends on having a workforce that can be reliably scheduled, this job also requires regular and reliable attendance. This is a high-stress job that requires focus, engagement, and high performance in traumatic, physically demanding, emotionally charged, and life- threatening situations. The position involves exposure to serious and graphic injury to adults and children, including death and dismemberment. A high level of physical, mental, and emotional health is an essential requirement.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
• Maintaining appropriate mental focus and emotional stability to perform safety sensitive functions in high stress, traumatic, physically demanding, emotionally charged situations.
• Reporting on time and regularly working scheduled shifts to not compromise the deliver of emergency medical care.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays. (This may include being called in for minimum staffing, shift coverage, weather events, and/or community and natural disasters)
• Conducts self in a professional, dignified, and compassionate manner always when dealing with all external agencies, EMS department personnel, hospital personnel and the public.
• Adherence to STARCARE values in all interactions.
• Take an active role to ensure gossip and hearsay are not perpetuated.
• Professionally represent HCESD11 at all times.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Ability to effectively take calls and provide dispatch functions for EMS units.
• Excellent verbal and written communications and presentation skills.
• Using the Medical Priority Dispatch System, question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites to Fire and EMS agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notifications.
• Ensure compliance with IAED Code of Ethics.
• Uses a wide variety of cutting-edge technology systems, including but not limited to computer aided dispatch (CAD), 9-1-1 telephone system, 9-1-1 text messaging, TDD, GIS mapping and aerial photography, public safety radio systems.
• Directly responsible for the safety and welfare of all on-duty units in the HCESD11 system.
• Answer incoming administrative lines, 911 lines with non-emergency and emergency requests for service in a high volume, fast paced environment.
• Provide medical pre-arrival instructions as required by the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch protocols (i.e., CPR instructions, Birthing/OB instructions, maintaining an unconscious person’s airway, Choking instructions and Hemorrhage control).
• Enter all information in the appropriate fields of the CAD with accuracy and while paying special attention to business names, apartment names, apartment/suite number, gate codes, patient location, instructions to access the patient, and most importantly crew safety information.
• Interact with field units professionally over the phone and radio utilizing excellent customer service skills.
• Ensure timely and accurate dispatching of units, utilizing appropriate system status management, CAD, radio, and other tools.
• Knowledge of procedures to “flip the switch” and proceed to the backup site, if necessary, in the event of Communications Center evacuation.
• Give appropriate routing to units when needed while reporting any routing errors to the on-duty Field Supervisor.
• Identify and report field performance concerns to Communications Supervisors.
• Maintain knowledge of current or updated policies and procedures.
• Maintain all certifications and keep up with all required CE’s.
• Maintain all performance in MIH, Billing and Compliance.
• Produce the best outcome according to HCESD11 values.
• Attend meetings and assist with decisions.
• Attend Monthly employee meetings as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

Typically an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as viewing a computer and extensive reading. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Current AEMD (or able to attend within first three months) and CPR Certification.
• Adept with the use of map books, i.e., keymap, and be able to receive and follow written and/or verbal instructions appropriately.
• Ability to simultaneously perform multiple tasks and make appropriate decisions under stress while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to type at least 35 words per minute.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolutions skills
• Ability to perform by example and work well with others.
• NIMS ICS-100, 200, 700, 800 within 6 months of employment
• Must have a valid Texas driver's license
• May not have been excluded by the OIG to participate in federally funded healthcare programs.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Current AEMD and CPR Certification
• One-year experience as a public safety Telecommunicator / operator in a high-performance EMS system.

HCESD11 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, HCESD11 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Furthermore, HCESD11 has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and HCESD11 reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as HCESD11 may deem appropriate.

Requirements: