Emergency Transport Communication Specialist, Full Time, Nights, AFSCME-MC

UC Health•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Emergency Transport Communication Specialist is a member of UC Health’s transport team and works in the communications center. The specialist triages patients to the appropriate level of medical transport, coordinates ground and air transports, communicates with transport crews, and provides flight following and other communications. The role also supports quality improvement, day-to-day staffing and resource coordination, and short- and long-term projects. The specialist collaborates with others to provide safe, high-quality, patient- and family-centered care during transport and works within applicable medical transport standards, the aviation vendor’s operations manual, and Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations. This position includes safety, clinical coordination, operational, professional-development, and customer-service responsibilities. The specialist monitors transports and responds to emergencies according to established protocols; coordinates transport resources and communicates patient information appropriately; supports staffing and operational coverage; maintains required competencies and participates in education and quality assurance; and provides service to patients, families, coworkers, and organizations requesting transport coordination.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 3 years of EMS or equivalent communications or dispatch experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS).
National Association of Air Medical Communication Specialist (NAACS) Certified Flight Communicator or equivalent course required within 2 years after hire.
Maintain job-specific licensures, certifications, and competencies as required.
Meet applicable department attendance, education, and meeting requirements.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
Five years of EMS or equivalent communications or dispatch experience preferred.
Current EMT or Paramedic certification in Ohio or National Registry is strongly encouraged.
MTEC (internal trauma course) may be required at an interval after hire and ongoing.
Additional certifications or training may be required to meet regulatory or industry standards.

Responsibilities

Prioritize the safety of transport crews and patients when making communication and dispatch decisions.
Monitor transports using technology-based tracking systems and follow emergency procedures for in-flight and ground emergencies; notify the aviation vendor’s operational control center and UC Medical Center leadership promptly according to protocols.
Maintain competence in medical and ground EMS radio frequency bands, weather interpretation and retrieval, the Post Accident/Incident Plan, navigation and map skills, GPS navigation, and approaches.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized communications-center work area and conduct operations safely.
Coordinate ground and air transports and determine the appropriate transport-care level, including BLS, ALS, MICU, or air transport.
Collaborate with referring and receiving care providers, transport teams, and the RN Coordinator when available to ensure appropriate resource use and meet patients’ transport needs.
Communicate patient information professionally, respect privacy, document clinical information, maintain transport-request databases, and participate in quality assurance and review.
Follow department and hospital policies, procedures, and standards for patient care and operations; maintain required clinical competencies.
Support transport-team staffing by reviewing schedules, helping cover open shifts, communicating staff changes, and coordinating with department leadership as operational needs change.
Maintain knowledge of ground and aviation operations, vendor operations-manual requirements, applicable rules and regulations, and vehicle-tracking and safety processes.
Meet attendance and education requirements; review work email and department communications; complete assigned projects; maintain scheduling flexibility; review communication logs and complete daily log sheets.
Remain current in the medical transport profession, nursing, job-specific licenses, certifications, and competencies; complete assigned clinical rotations or operational experiences by their due dates.
Adapt to changing requirements and implement new industry standards for safety, clinical care, and operational efficiency in coordination with leadership.
Share knowledge and experience with peers and educate healthcare professionals and other customers about the transport program, including orienting new associates as assigned.
Demonstrate UC Health Core RITE values and support patient- and family-centered service excellence in workplace and public interactions.
Provide excellent service to transport-requesting people and organizations, patients, families, and coworkers; creatively address individual needs and participate in customer-service, marketing, and outreach efforts.