Emergency Communications Specialist

Appalachian Regional Healthcare•Lexington, KY

23h

About The Position

The Emergency Communications Specialist serves as the central coordination point among ARH hospital facilities, the Security Operations Center (SOC), and external security vendors, including GuardLogic. Reporting to the Director of Emergency Management, this role ensures real-time operational and communication alignment during active incidents, continuity of communication, and coordinated responses across the enterprise. The position integrates telecommunications responsibilities into security operations and supports the effective escalation and resolution of events in accordance with ARH policies and healthcare regulatory standards. The specialist receives, monitors, documents, and routes communications related to hospital operations, security incidents, emergencies, and routine service requests. Acting as a communications hub among ARH facilities, security personnel, clinical departments, emergency management teams, public safety agencies, and external partners, the role supports timely and accurate information sharing, situational awareness, and response coordination. The role also supports emergency management and incident command operations, including HICS and NIMS, and helps maintain communication systems, incident documentation, vendor accountability, operational procedures, training, and readiness.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in security operations, emergency management, vendor coordination, or a related field.
Experience in healthcare security or multi-facility corporate environments.
Background in military intelligence, federal law enforcement, or corporate intelligence programs.
Experience with workplace violence, intelligence prevention, intelligence threat assessment programs, or telecommunications.
Strong analytical, leadership, and decision-making capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing leadership.
Ability to remain calm under pressure, with attention to detail and accuracy, and strong multitasking and organizational abilities.
Proficiency with the AVTEC communications platform and console, Motorola communications systems, and relevant Security Operations computer applications.
Understanding of emergency communication procedures, including HICS.
Ability to pass a confidential-level background check.
Ability to comply with all Security Operations travel recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Business Administration, or equivalent work experience preferred.
Master's degree in intelligence and security or a related field preferred.
Experience working with or within a Security Operations Center (SOC) preferred.
Healthcare security experience strongly preferred.
Professional certification such as CPP (Certified Protection Professional), PSP (Physical Security Professional), IAHSS CHPA (Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator), or telecommunications certification through DOCJT.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary coordination point for active security incidents across ARH hospitals and facilities.
Interface with the SOC to monitor real-time incidents and alerts, review SOC activity and reporting, and support consistent incident handling.
Escalate events accurately and promptly, coordinate response efforts, maintain situational awareness, and facilitate communication among hospital leadership, security personnel, and SOC operators.
Support incident prioritization, classification, and response alignment.
Serve as the primary liaison between ARH and GuardLogic; coordinate vendor incident-response support, staffing, and coverage; track performance against service expectations, SLAs, and KPIs; resolve issues; and support contract adherence and accountability.
Ensure communication among hospital security teams, executive leadership, emergency management personnel, external partners, and relevant departments.
Disseminate incident updates, directives, and situational reports, and coordinate shift-to-shift and site-to-site communications.
Contact on-call personnel, physicians, and support staff during emergencies and critical incidents.
Operate multi-line telephone systems, switchboards, computerized communication systems, and telecommunications equipment; route calls to appropriate departments, security officers, or service providers; and monitor system functionality.
Maintain automated data, communications logs, call records, and documentation of emergency notifications and call activity; protect confidential information; resolve routine communication issues or direct callers to appropriate resources; and identify and report equipment malfunctions.
Support emergency management during critical incidents, natural disasters, and healthcare-related emergencies by helping coordinate resources, personnel, and communications.
Support activation and operation of emergency response protocols and incident command structures, including HICS and NIMS.
Coordinate communications with security officers, law enforcement, EMS, fire services, hospital staff, and other emergency services as required, including in conjunction with FEMA.
Apply emergency communication and incident prioritization protocols, prioritizing life-safety events, medical emergencies, and critical incidents that could affect patient care or facility operations.
Maintain detailed incident, communication, and response-action documentation that meets compliance and audit requirements.
Prepare after-action reports, incident summaries, and performance insights; track trends and recommend improvements to response effectiveness.
Identify gaps in incident response, communication workflows, and vendor coordination, and recommend or implement process improvements.
Assist with developing and maintaining SOPs, incident response playbooks, escalation protocols, response standards, and communication protocols.
Support training for SOC personnel, security staff, and vendor partners; participate in drills, tabletop exercises, and readiness assessments; and help align training with operational needs.