Flight Coordinator - LifeFlight Air Communications ($5,000 Sign-On Bonus)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Communication Specialist is responsible for notifying the pilot and flight team when transport has been requested; flight follows with each aircraft and relays information to the flight team during helicopter and/or fixed wing transport; coordinates communications among flight team, hospital, scene and hangar. The Communication Specialist is able to adapt to a rapidly changing high stress environment while multi-tasking in a timely manner. LifeFlight's Communications Center is made up of a team of licensed EMTs and Paramedics that serve as a Regional Medical Communications Center (RMCC) for Middle Tennessee, as well as communications for the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Neonatal and Pediatric ground ambulances, Vanderbilt LifeFlight's ground EMS and Event Medicine ambulances. This team dispatches any stat emergency calls throughout the medical center campus, monitor weather conditions, and track more than 10,000 take off and landings at the Vanderbilt helipads. AirCom All aircraft dispatching for Vanderbilt LifeFlight is done by Air Methods Communications (AirCom), the only center of its size and scope in the nation. AirCom provides seamless communications between air medical crews, hospitals and emergency personnel. Established in 1996 and based in Omaha, NE., AirCom specialists field calls, provide flight coordination, flight following, and logistical support for more air medical aircraft across the nation. All Communication Specialist receive additional training for all programs within their assigned region so they can provide additional support to the region when necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency required.
Current EMT certification is required
Ability to successfully function in a fast paced, service-oriented environment with minimal face-to-face interaction.
Must be able to learn several software programs related to mission and flight tracking.
Must be able to create business correspondence.
Must possess excellent customer service skills and have the ability to function calmly in a high-pressure situation, think clearly and logically, and make problem-solving decisions based on information given.
Must be able to handle stressful situations involving multiple, simultaneous critical events in an organized and professional manner.
Must be able to read, write and speak English clearly and effectively.
Attend departmental staff meetings and continuing education meetings.
LIC-Emergency Medical Technicians Basic - Licensure-OthersLicensure-Others
Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level : Less than 1 year
Education: High School Diploma or GED

Nice To Haves

Minimum one year of dispatch experience is preferred (preferably Air Medical Flight Dispatching and/or Emergency Medical Dispatch).
Certified Flight Communicator certification is preferred.
International Association of Medical Transport Communication Specialists (IAMTCS, formerly known as NAACS) Certified Flight Communicator certification is required within 6 (six) months of hire.

Responsibilities

Provides a high level of customer service.
Demonstrate ability to manage time appropriately when not actively engaged in a mission or task.
Take and give patient reports with strong understanding of medical terminology.
Monitors cameras at each air medical base and the VUH and Monroe Carell Jr. helipads.
Monitors flight route, weather, ETE, maps, scene location by longitude and latitude, etc.
Prioritize and disseminate accurate and pertinent information such as wind advisories and triaging helipads, to appropriate teams while keeping the safety of the crews and aircraft a top priority.
Communicates by radio with flight crews to follow flight progress and position of each aircraft.
Documents flight communications in dispatching software with accurate data entry.
Notifies all involved agencies to coordinate air transport.
Answers incoming telephone calls on a multi-line telephone system, radio communications system.
Contact other flight services if aircraft is unavailable to transport patients.
Coordinate when other flight services bring patients.
Must be able to learn several software programs related to mission and flight tracking.
Must be able to create business correspondence.
Must possess excellent customer service skills and have the ability to function calmly in a high-pressure situation, think clearly and logically, and make problem-solving decisions based on information given.
Must be able to handle stressful situations involving multiple, simultaneous critical events in an organized and professional manner.
Must be able to read, write and speak English clearly and effectively.
Attend departmental staff meetings and continuing education meetings.
Responsible for assimilating various forms of information to make quality decisions while performing a wide range of specialized functions and complex communication services (e.g., requests for transport, assessment and triage of multiple incoming requests for transport, and radio communications with all airborne aircraft) for all transport modalities.
Maintain effective and comprehensive communication with crew members (medical and aviation) and aircraft utilizing a complex, statewide, multi-channeled radio system.
Must also perform constant flight following procedures with all aircraft during missions according to FAA and Vanderbilt LifeFlight policies.
Accurately documents appropriate and detailed medical information pertaining to patient condition and all aspects of transport activity, which becomes a legal document.
Coordinates the details of medical transports by working with the aviation, medical and communications departments in conjunction with the requesting agency and other appropriate resources.
Accurately inputs all flight transport information into the network database with special regard to FAA Part 135 and Vanderbilt LifeFlight policies and procedures.
Maintains a working knowledge of FAA rules and regulations (pertaining to Part 135) and remains current and complies with all policies and procedures.
Maintains and facilitates positive relationships with referring and receiving facilities and pre-hospital agencies to ensure a safe, coordinated and expeditious response for emergency assistance and/or transport for all customers internally and external.
Utilizes good customer service practices in accomplishing these tasks.
Implements proper procedures for notification of administration personnel and/or appropriate agencies in the event of incidents, accidents, or emergency situations involving personnel according to established policies and procedures.
Educate callers as to all aspects of services associated with air medical transport, (i.e., aircraft, medical crew, ground ambulance arrangements, etc.)
Assist Coding & Billing with follow-up on accounts as needed.
Receive incoming requests for transfer center support to include identification of receiving hospital, accepting physicians, etc.
Coordinate all aspects of transfer center transports.
Maintain various statistical databases, spreadsheets, etc., for month-end reports, business development review, marketing analysis, etc.
Other duties may be required.
Performs and documents safe, efficient and accurate flight coordination.
Understands the operations and applications of all communication equipment.
Communicates information and emergency notification to customers in an efficient, concise and courteous manner.
The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.