Communications Operator

St. Francis Medical Center•Cape Girardeau, MO

About The Position

The Communications Operator is the primary telephone contact for the public and hospital departments in routine and emergency situations. The operator answers multiple lines, screens and processes requests for patient locations and physician information, transfers calls, conducts overhead paging and beeper activation, provides dialing instructions to patients, and places off-campus calls for physicians upon request. The operator assesses the seriousness of issues and incidents and takes further action when needed. As part of the communications department’s emergency command-center role, the operator documents emergency codes and incidents according to established protocols, monitors surveillance cameras and inclement weather, and responds appropriately to activated emergency alarms. The department also supports security communications, emergency codes and drills, alarm tests, hospital lockdowns, visitor location, patient-expiration notifications, lower-level pathology security, transportation coordination, after-hours contact for departments such as home health and hospice, and the cardiology cath team’s emergency notification and callback process. This is a full-time position scheduled for 72 hours per two-week pay period. Typical hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Week 1: Sunday, Monday, and Friday; Week 2: Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday.

Requirements

High school diploma or general studies required.
1–2 years of Microsoft Office experience required.

Nice To Haves

1–2 years of customer service experience preferred.
1–2 years of switchboard or high-volume call experience preferred.
1–2 years of overhead PA system experience preferred.
1–2 years of medical terminology experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the main telephone contact for the public and hospital departments during routine and emergency situations.
Answer multiple telephone lines and screen and process requests for patient locations and physician information.
Transfer calls, conduct overhead paging and beeper activation, provide dialing instructions to patients, and place off-campus calls for physicians upon request.
Use judgment to assess the seriousness of issues and incidents and take further action when necessary.
Document emergency codes and incidents according to established protocols.
Monitor surveillance cameras and inclement weather, and initiate appropriate actions when emergency alarms are activated.
Provide base communication and support for security, including cooperation with emergency codes and drills, alarm tests, hospital lockdowns, and visitor location.
Serve as the central point of contact upon patient expirations, maintain security of lower-level pathology, and coordinate transportation.
Provide after-hours contact for departments including home health and hospice nurses.
Support the cardiology cath team’s emergency notification and callback process.

Benefits

Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage, available on the first of the month after hire date.
Saint Francis Medical Services Discount.
Earned Time Off (ETO), combining vacation, sick, holidays, and personal days into one balance.
Retirement benefits with immediate matching.
Education assistance up to $5,000 per calendar year for one year of service after graduation.
Benefit Support through Health Advocate.
Employee Assistance Program.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Identity Theft Protection.
Pet Insurance.
Earned Wage Access.