Dispatcher / Communication Specialist - Full Time

Sanford Health•Sioux Falls, SD

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. This position is for a full-time Dispatcher / Communication Specialist. The role involves receiving and coordinating requests for air and ground medical transport requiring the use of Sanford AirMed Flight Teams. Tasks include dispatching appropriate aircraft and flight teams, communicating with referring and accepting hospitals/agencies, flight following aircraft, map reading, and data entry using Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software. The position requires the ability to work in a potentially high-stress and fast-paced environment, both as part of a team and individually. You will work closely with flight teams, pilots, One-Call nurses, and administration to ensure transports are completed efficiently and patients receive the best care possible. Applicants should possess excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, be proficient at typing and comfortable with a Windows-based operating system. This position requires strong skills in critical thinking, problem solving, relationship building and flexibility. You need to be able to prioritize tasks, manage time, and work effectively with minimal supervision. Applicants must be able to work in an area of limited space with one other person for a duration of 12 hours and have the potential to work both day and evening shifts. The role requires multitasking, attention to detail, and thoroughness in completing daily tasks. The ability to deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively, maintaining composure in difficult situations to collect vital information from callers and determine the severity of a situation and the location to those who need assistance is crucial. This includes listening carefully to collect relevant details, typing call details into computers with speed and accuracy, and effectively using radios and other forms of communication. The role also involves working with the growth and development needs of a diverse population, performing data entry, compiling QI data, using SharePoint, and typing other documentation as assigned. Maintaining access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials is also a responsibility. The ability to read and interpret small-scale maps and computer screen information to determine locations and provide directions is necessary. Searching files, databases or other reference materials to obtain needed information is part of the job. Depending on the job setting, knowledge of computer software necessary to document flights and skill in radio communications with medical teams and pilots on medical transports is required. Maintaining a sense of pride and ownership for the program is expected. The role may require sitting for extended periods of time. Depending on the location of the position, work hours will vary depending on patient needs, which may include overtime, call, backup call, nights, days, weekends, and holidays. Attending training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge is also required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
Proficient at typing.
Comfortable with a Windows-based operating system.
Strong skills in critical thinking, problem solving, relationship building and flexibility.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and work effectively with minimal supervision.
Ability to work in an area of limited space with one other person for a duration of 12 hours.
Potential to work both day and evening shifts.
Ability to deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively.
Ability to maintain composure in very difficult situations.
Speed and accuracy is of importance when responding to emergencies.
Ability to read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen.
Knowledge to operate the computer software necessary to document flights.
Skill in radio communications with the medical teams and pilots on medical transports.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a small department of 10-11 people from many different backgrounds.
Experience with a strong work culture built around clear expectations and accountability.

Responsibilities

Receiving and coordinating requests for air and ground medical transport requiring the use of Sanford AirMed Flight Teams.
Dispatching appropriate aircraft and flight teams.
Communicating with referring and accepting hospitals/agencies.
Flight following aircraft.
Map reading.
Data entry using Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software.
Working in a potentially high-stress and fast-paced environment as part of a team and individually.
Working closely with flight teams, pilots, One-Call nurses, and administration to ensure transports are completed efficiently and patients receive the best care possible.
Multitasking, being detail-oriented and thorough in completing daily tasks.
Dealing with high stress situations calmly and effectively while maintaining composure in very difficult situations to collect vital information from callers to determine the severity of a situation and the location to those who need assistance.
Listening carefully to collect relevant details and typing the details of calls into computers.
Effectively using radios and other forms of communication.
Working with growth and development needs of a diverse population.
Performing data entry, compiling QI (Quality Improvement) data, SharePoint, and typing any other documentation as assigned.
Maintaining access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
Reading and effectively interpreting small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
Searching files, databases or other reference materials to obtain needed information.
Operating computer software necessary to document flights.
Skill in radio communications with the medical teams and pilots on medical transports.
Maintaining a sense of pride and ownership for the program.
Attending training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.