What are the responsibilities and job description for the Telephone Operator position at United Health Services?
Position Overview
United Health Services (UHS) is seeking a courteous and dependable Telephone Operator to manage incoming and outgoing calls, provide information, and connect patients, families, and staff across our healthcare system. In this role, you’ll handle a variety of communication tasks, including paging, emergency code calls, and directory assistance, ensuring clear and timely responses in a fast-paced environment.
Every call you answer is more than a task—it’s a connection that matters. Whether helping a loved one reach a patient or assisting clinical staff during urgent situations, your calm professionalism and attention to detail play a vital role in supporting care and communication across the organization.
Primary Department, Division, Or Unit
Primary Work Shift:
Evening
Compensation Range
$17.05 - $22.17 per hour, depending on experience
You will be eligible for benefits if you are hired into a regular position with at least 24 scheduled weekly hours.
Job Responsibilities
Minimum Required:
At United Health Services (UHS), we believe every connection—to patients, to purpose, to each other—makes a difference. That’s why we’re intentional about supporting our team in ways that go beyond the job. Whether through meaningful benefits, personal growth, or fun along the way, we’re here to help you thrive in work and life.
A Culture of Connection – We support each other like family and create space for every voice to be heard. Engagement Councils, peer recognition, and initiatives like Walk in my Shoes for senior leaders are just a few ways we foster belonging and collaboration. Outside of work, we stay connected through team events like trivia, trunk-or-treat, volunteer days, our staff choir, or seasonal celebrations.
Comprehensive Benefits for Life & Family – We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire for employees working 24 hours/week. With flexible plan options and coverage tiers, you can choose what fits your life best. Additional perks include discounted childcare through Bright Horizons and voluntary benefits like pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection.
Well-Being & Financial Security – From day one, PTO starts accruing so you can take time to recharge. We support your long-term wellness with a 403(b) retirement plan and company match, flexible spending accounts, access to financial advisors, and up to $400/year in wellness rewards. When life gets tough, we’re here with 24/7 EAP counseling, virtual mental health support, a food pantry, PTO donation program, and professional attire through the Classy Closet.
Growth That Moves with You – With access to 100,000 online courses, leadership programs, tuition reimbursement, clinical ladders, and internal mobility, we help you grow wherever your passion leads. We also continuously review compensation to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity, so you can feel confident your work is valued and rewarded fairly.
A Place to Call Home – Located in New York’s Southern Tier, UHS offers more than a career—we offer a lifestyle. Enjoy four-season recreation, affordable living, top-rated schools, minor league sports, craft brews, a close-knit community, and more, all within reach of the Finger Lakes, the Catskills, and major Northeast cities.
About United Health Services
United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.
At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!
United Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
United Health Services, Inc. and the members of the UHS System neither are affiliated with, sponsored, endorsed nor approved by, nor otherwise associated with, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS), UHS of Delaware, Inc. nor their affiliates, which can be found at www.uhsinc.com.
United Health Services (UHS) is seeking a courteous and dependable Telephone Operator to manage incoming and outgoing calls, provide information, and connect patients, families, and staff across our healthcare system. In this role, you’ll handle a variety of communication tasks, including paging, emergency code calls, and directory assistance, ensuring clear and timely responses in a fast-paced environment.
Every call you answer is more than a task—it’s a connection that matters. Whether helping a loved one reach a patient or assisting clinical staff during urgent situations, your calm professionalism and attention to detail play a vital role in supporting care and communication across the organization.
Primary Department, Division, Or Unit
Primary Work Shift:
Evening
Compensation Range
$17.05 - $22.17 per hour, depending on experience
You will be eligible for benefits if you are hired into a regular position with at least 24 scheduled weekly hours.
Job Responsibilities
- Respond to requests for communication with hospital personnel and physicians using appropriate channels, including overhead paging, digital pagers, and mobile phones
- Handle emergency code calls and alarms with accuracy and urgency, following established protocols and participating in routine testing of emergency systems
- Contact on-call staff members as requested by various hospital departments, ensuring timely notification and accurate message delivery
- Coordinate communication with clergy members upon request from clinical or support departments, especially in urgent or sensitive situations
- Maintain custody and accurate tracking of hospital keys, ensuring secure access to restricted areas and compliance with key control procedures
- Safeguard the hospital safe and manage access for authorized personnel, maintaining security and accountability at all times
- Coordinate telephone repairs and service issues with IT or telecommunications support and facilitate distribution of new or replacement phones to staff
- Maintain a current inventory and tracking system for hospital-issued pagers, including issuing, receiving, and troubleshooting equipment
- Serve as a back-up resource to the information desk during off-hours, assisting visitors and callers with directions and general inquiries
- Operate as the communication base for hospital security, relaying critical information and assisting with emergency response coordination
- Assist in the release process of deceased individuals by coordinating communication between clinical staff, security, and funeral service providers
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support the communication and operational needs of the hospital
Minimum Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent. In lieu of diploma, will accept 2 years of experience utilizing a multi-line phone system.
- 2 (two)years previous switchboard experience
At United Health Services (UHS), we believe every connection—to patients, to purpose, to each other—makes a difference. That’s why we’re intentional about supporting our team in ways that go beyond the job. Whether through meaningful benefits, personal growth, or fun along the way, we’re here to help you thrive in work and life.
A Culture of Connection – We support each other like family and create space for every voice to be heard. Engagement Councils, peer recognition, and initiatives like Walk in my Shoes for senior leaders are just a few ways we foster belonging and collaboration. Outside of work, we stay connected through team events like trivia, trunk-or-treat, volunteer days, our staff choir, or seasonal celebrations.
Comprehensive Benefits for Life & Family – We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire for employees working 24 hours/week. With flexible plan options and coverage tiers, you can choose what fits your life best. Additional perks include discounted childcare through Bright Horizons and voluntary benefits like pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection.
Well-Being & Financial Security – From day one, PTO starts accruing so you can take time to recharge. We support your long-term wellness with a 403(b) retirement plan and company match, flexible spending accounts, access to financial advisors, and up to $400/year in wellness rewards. When life gets tough, we’re here with 24/7 EAP counseling, virtual mental health support, a food pantry, PTO donation program, and professional attire through the Classy Closet.
Growth That Moves with You – With access to 100,000 online courses, leadership programs, tuition reimbursement, clinical ladders, and internal mobility, we help you grow wherever your passion leads. We also continuously review compensation to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity, so you can feel confident your work is valued and rewarded fairly.
A Place to Call Home – Located in New York’s Southern Tier, UHS offers more than a career—we offer a lifestyle. Enjoy four-season recreation, affordable living, top-rated schools, minor league sports, craft brews, a close-knit community, and more, all within reach of the Finger Lakes, the Catskills, and major Northeast cities.
About United Health Services
United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.
At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!
United Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
United Health Services, Inc. and the members of the UHS System neither are affiliated with, sponsored, endorsed nor approved by, nor otherwise associated with, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS), UHS of Delaware, Inc. nor their affiliates, which can be found at www.uhsinc.com.