Air Life Communication Specialist

: Hourly Wage Estimate: $24.00 - $36.00 / hour Learn more about the benefits offered for this job.

The estimate displayed represents the typical wage range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range.

Introduction

Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Air Life Communication Specialist? At AirLife Critical Care, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.

Benefits

AirLife Critical Care, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as free telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
• Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock
• Family support through fertility and family building benefits with Progyny and adoption assistance.
• Referral services for child, elder and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning and more
• Consumer discounts through Abenity and Consumer Discounts
• Retirement readiness, rollover assistance services and preferred banking partnerships
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
• Colleague recognition program
• Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
• Employee Health Assistance Fund that offers free employee-only coverage to full-time and part-time colleagues based on income.

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

You contribute to our success. Every role has an impact on our patients' lives and you have the opportunity to make a difference. We are looking for a dedicated Air Life Communication Specialist like you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary and Qualifications

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Communications Specialist helps assess, plan, and coordinate the patient transport process according to established policies and procedures, state regulations, FAA requirements, and EMS protocols. Responsible for assimilating various forms of information and activating the appropriate medical team and mode of transport based on patient condition, physician request, and/or EMS activation. Tasked with making quality decisions and coordinating logistics while performing a wide range of specialized services and complex communication functions. Responsible for ensuring the safety of patients, medical personnel, and other transport programs through proficiency with dispatch protocols, EOC, MCI, aircraft incident planning, disaster plans, Hazmat, the use of vehicle tracking, and deconfliction, Computer literacy in multiple systems and programs is required as well as an ability to operate a variety of communication equipment. Ability to accurately document detailed medical information, transport activity, medical crew/physician information, and/or agency information that will become part of a legal record. Communication Specialists will have detailed time management skills, excellent public relations skills, and the ability to adapt their approach with each changing request and emergent condition.

B: DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Receives and coordinates incoming requests for emergency and routine air and ground transport services
• Activates appropriate medical crew, utilizing critical decision making when determining the use of primary and specialty teams
• Coordinates with the sending/receiving facilities and/or EMS agencies involved by providing enroute times, gathering/relaying patient information, and supplying equipment/medical crew needs
• Displays working knowledge of complex logistics through detailed planning, execution, movement, stationing of personnel, equipment, vehicles, and other resources to achieve AirLife objectives
• Flight follows aircraft per FAA requirements and tracks ground movements utilizing GPS tracking software to ensure safety of patients and medical crew
• Displays acute situational awareness through constant cognizance of crew/vehicle status and locations
• Deconflicts with other air agencies and coordinates logistics to reduce flight risks and patient arrival delays
• Displays ability to interpret weather systems, read METARs/TAFs, and relay information to/from the Operational Control Center, pilots, medical crews, and requesting/receiving agencies/facilities
• Maintains communication with medical crews through phone calls, radio transmissions, and Nextels
• Arranges med patches for AirLife medical crews/other air agencies to receiving hospitals and is able to relay any portion of the patch that is unreadable or missed with accuracy
• Maintain accurate records regarding computer documentation, according to AirLife Policy/Procedure, in the Computer Aid Dispatch (CAD) system
• Operate all vendor applications as expected
• Operate base station radios, conducting and coordinating all radio communication in a professional manner
• Provide necessary communication assistance, in cooperation with other agencies including: ambulances, law enforcement, fire departments, rescue groups, and between hospitals and aircraft, in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations
• Ensures appropriate emergency response, notifications, and support in the event of an in-flight/transport emergency following all AirLife protocols
• Activates the Emergency Operations Communications Plan for HCA Continental Division emergencies/incidents
• Initiates the Swedish Interventional Radiology Activation Process for all inbound air transports, including other transport agencies, by providing patient demographics, modes of transport, and estimated times of arrival utilized in calling in the team prior to patient arrivals
• Maintain proficiency at determining latitude/longitude, using grid maps, computerized mapping systems, and other internet resources to determine and plot locations described by transport requestors or to determine location of AirLife vehicles and crew
• Participate in mandatory training, competency exercises, drills, complete all education requirements, and attend mandatory Communications Specialist Meetings

II. POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

A. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to multitask and respond appropriately to incoming information relayed through a variety of communication mediums
• Must have some understanding of medical terminology
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills including diplomatic and friendly telephone manner and use of professional vocabulary
• Must have the ability to function calmly in high pressure situations, think clearly and logically, and make problem-solving decisions based on information given. Must be able to adhere to organizational values with a team oriented focus
• Must be able to speak, hear and see clearly without impairment (corrective lenses, hearing aids, et. acceptable)
• Must have knowledge of FCC rules and regulations for communication systems
• Must have a functional understanding of local EMS structure, protocol, and procedures
• Knowledge of FAA Part 135 requirements preferred
• Ability to operate a variety of communications equipment including telephone, radios, and recording equipment
• Knowledge of navigational terms is desired
• Must have general knowledge and recall of geographical region of service area and familiarization of map reading
• Must be able to type a minimum of 40 wpm

B. EDUCATION:

High school diploma or GED equivalency required

C. EXPERIENCE:

Minimum one year of dispatch experience (preferably Emergency Medical Dispatch)

D. LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, REGISTRATION

• Current EMT certification is preferred
• 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 one year of hire

HCA HealthONE, one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare systems in the Rocky Mountain region, offers more than 170 care sites in the Denver-metro area. Offering services across the continuum of care to meet patients' total healthcare needs, HCA HealthONE includes seven acute care hospitals, a dedicated flagship pediatric hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, CareNow® urgent care clinics, mental health campuses, imaging and surgery centers, physician practices, home and hospice care, and AirLife Denver, which provides regional critical care air and ground transportation.

HCA HealthONE employs more than 12,000 colleagues and has been named one of the top five large health systems in the country multiple years. HCA HealthONE and its parent company, HCA Healthcare, have been named 14 consecutive times by Ethisphere as a World's Most Ethical Company and two consecutive years as a LinkedIn Top Company. HCA HealthONE hospitals includes: Centennial, Aurora, Mountain Ridge, Presbyterian/St. Luke's, Rocky Mountain Children's, Rose, Sky Ridge, Swedish, and Spalding working together to provide a higher level of care.

Consistently among the Denver Business Journals' list of top corporate philanthropists in the Denver-metro area, HCA HealthONE was named as one of the most community-minded organizations by The Civic 50 and contributed more than $1 million through cash and in-kind donations last year alone, along with more than $400M in federal, state and local taxes.

"Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Air Life Communication Specialist opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.