Dispatcher

Overview:

Dispatchers are responsible for answering calls from various sources that request ambulances for both emergency and non-emergency uses. Dispatchers dispatch ambulances to both emergency and non-emergency calls.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Required to work as a team member within the dispatch center.
• Exhibit a competent, caring, and professional conduct when dealing with others.
• Adheres to radio communication policies, as defined by Community Ambulance Management.
• Able to work day or night shifts.
• Answers the calls from various local public safety officials and residents that are requesting ambulance service.
• Answers calls from various health care facilities (i.e., hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes) requesting ambulance transportation services.
• Works cooperatively with medical/nursing staff at patient-care facilities, to optimize patient transport.
• Dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls to ambulances using the VHF Radio System.   Communicates pertinent call information to the responding ambulance, such as the nature of the call, as well as other responding agencies. As required, notifies other responding agencies.
• When needed, performs the role of the non-emergency dispatcher.
• Utilizes the vehicle locator system to send the closest ambulance available to the call. Routinely monitors the travel routes and location of the ambulances to ensure compliance with the status plan.
• Recognizes the need for additional staffing and vehicles and promptly notifies supervisor.
• Determines that all ambulance shifts are staffed with appropriate qualified personnel. When a vacancy occurs, a supervisor is notified.
• Data entry of call timestamps as necessary.
• Completes all run reports of a statistical nature, in an accurate and timely manner.
• Completes delayed response time reports and run-turnover reports, on a daily basis.
• Maintains a good working knowledge of roads, bridges, buildings, etc., with the Community Ambulance Service Area.
• Ensures communication system (including the vehicle locator) is operational and reports any problems to the supervisor.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

Educational Requirements:

Certificates and Licenses:

Minimum Experience, Abilities Required, and Special Requirements:

Physical Requirements of Job:

Physical Skills: Normally assigned to work in an office environment where there is little exposure to dust, dirt, and noise. Must be able to sit for long periods of time. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; talk and hear; use fingers, hands and arms to handle, reach and/or operate basic office equipment, objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move, with help, up to 100 pounds.

Visual Activity:  Able to see and discriminate detail in written documents and messages from a computer screen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Auditory Activity: Good skills to distinguish sounds in normal conversation levels.

Sensory Activity: Normal motor skills required, such as being able to type using a computer keyboard or the ability to drive an automobile.

Verbal Activity: Ability to communicate clearly with a variety of employees, patients, families, co-workers, and public groups.

Additional Information:

Reports To: Communications Supervisor

Classification: Non-Exempt