Dispatcher

Dispatcher Position

LifeCare Ambulance is looking to hire a dispatcher for our Memphis operations!

Under general supervision, receives emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatches closest most appropriate ambulance to calls, and maintains radio communications with all ambulance crew and supervisors as needed.

Dispatchers answer calls for service when someone needs help from emergency services. They take both emergency and non-emergency calls.

Dispatchers must stay calm while collecting vital information from callers to determine the severity of a situation. They then give the appropriate first responder agencies information about the call.

Dispatchers keep detailed records about the calls that they take. They may use a computer system to log important facts, such as the name and location of the caller.

In some situations, dispatchers must work with people in other jurisdictions to share information or to transfer calls.

All tasks assigned to the dispatcher must be accomplished while taking great care to operate under all FCC laws and regulations.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Requires sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to multi-task.
• Be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Ability to answer, screen, and direct information from all types of calls.
• Must have functional hearing and functional eye sight
• Ability to operate radio console, computer, telephone system and fax machine.
• Arrange for different types of transport BLS, ALS, Critical Care
• Function within the LifeCare Compliance Program
• Typing skills of 25 wpm or better

Conditions of Employment

Successful candidate must submit to post offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check.

May be required to submit to annual TB and rubella screening.

Must be emotionally stable, and ability to multi-task.

Working Conditions and Physical Efforts:

Duties are performed in a controlled environment.

Dispatcher will be working in stressful situations at times due to multiple incoming calls, including some parties that may be hostile, angry, ill, scared or suicidal.

Training Requires After Hiring

Update training on any equipment change in the communication center.

EMD certification within one year of hire.

Important Qualities

Ability to multitask. Responding to an emergency over the phone can be stressful. Dispatchers must stay calm to simultaneously answer calls, collect vital information, coordinate responders, and assist callers.

Empathy. People who call are often in distress. Dispatchers must be willing and able to help callers with a wide variety of needs. They must be calm, polite, and sympathetic, while also quickly getting information.

Leadership skills. Dispatchers work with emergency response teams, and civilians in emergency situations. They must be able to efficiently communicate the nature of the emergency and coordinate the appropriate response.

Listening skills. When answering an emergency call or handling radio communications, a dispatcher must listen carefully. Some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress. Dispatchers must be able to record the call accurately.

Problem-solving skills. Dispatchers must be able to choose wisely between tasks that are competing for their attention. They must be able to quickly determine the appropriate action when people call for help.

LifeCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans.