Medical Communications Officer

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 38,035 - 42,250; Part time

Job summary

The Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services is seeking a Medical Communications Officer to join their team in providing critical ambulance dispatch services. The role requires coordination of emergency and non-emergency services, effective communication under pressure, and thorough knowledge of medical terminology and local geography.

Applicants must hold valid certifications and demonstrate essential skills in a high-stress environment. This position demands rapid decision-making and excellent interpersonal skills, making it vital to the operations of the Medical Communications Centre.

Qualifications

• Completion of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate with IAED is required.
• Successful completion of CritiCall aptitude testing is necessary.
• Computer literacy in a Windows environment with strong skills required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ambulance coverage for communities in the area.
• Respond rapidly to requests for various types of ambulance services.
• Ensure effective communication and dispatch service during emergencies.

Skills

Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate

Standard First Aid and BLS-CPR certification

Medical Terminology knowledge

Computer literacy in Windows

Knowledge of Newfoundland Labrador geography

Multi-tasking skills in high stress

Effective communication skills

Education

Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate

Standard First Aid certification

Medical Terminology course

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch

Multi-line telephone systems

Radio communications systems

Job description

Zone: Eastern Urban Zone
Location: Dr. Leonard A. Miller Center

Medical Communications Officer
Paramedicine - Dispatch
Temporary, Call-In
NAPE HS

Hours Based upon the needs of the department (12-hour shift work; days, nights, on-call, standby, weekends; rotating)

Salary CG-29 (CAD27.61 - CAD30.67 per hour)

Competition Number VAC0017194

Posted Date 2025-10-23

Closing Date Open until filled.

Job Summary

The position of Medical Communications Officer (MCO) works within the Medical Communications Centre (MCC) with accountability to ensure coordination and balanced ambulance coverage to all communities within the designated coverage area. The MCO provides rapid response to requests for Routine, Emergency, and Non-Emergent Ambulance service, as well as coordinating the Flight Team and the Provincial Air Ambulance program. The MCO will work independently under the policies and guidelines of Eastern Health, reporting directly to the Operations Supervisor.

Job Demands

• Occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing less than 25 lbs.
• Regularly required to sit at a workstation for extended periods of time.
• Constantly uses fine finger precision work while working on a computer.
• Auditory demands include multiple phone lines ringing, listening for radio transmissions from ambulances, which have to be time-stamped and entered into the computer, and background talking from other dispatchers and staff.
• Alertness and concentration are required when performing emergency medical dispatch work. Higher than normal levels of attentiveness or alertness for the health and safety of others is required at all times.
• Time pressures, interruptions, deadlines and lack of control over work pace are experienced when dealing with medical emergency dispatching and responding to 911 calls, listening to radio transmissions from ambulances and entering information into the computer.

Job Qualifications

• Completion of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate with the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatchers (IAED) is required and must be valid when applying.
• Completion of a recognized/approved Standard First Aid and BLS-CPR certification is required and must be valid when applying.
• Completion of a recognized/approved Medical Terminology course is required.
• Successful completion of CritiCall aptitude testing is required. Testing will be administered by the Department of Human Resources.
• Computer literacy in a Windows environment with strong comprehensive computer skills required. A Windows skills test score of 70% is required. A Windows skills test will be administered by the Department of Human Resources.
• Knowledge of the geography of the province of Newfoundland Labrador, including major streets, highways, communities, regions, hospitals, and primary medical facilities, is required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows in a multi-screen computer environment is required.
• Demonstrated ability and dexterity in handling call-taking and dispatching functions using computer aided dispatch, multi-line telephone, and radio communications systems is required.
• Demonstrated ability to define and carry out priorities as identified.
• Demonstrated ability work efficiently and effectively in a multi-tasking high stress environment is required.
• Demonstrated sound and rapid decision-making ability under stressful conditions is required.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal communications and customer service skills to deal with the public and co-workers is required.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking, decision making and problem-solving skills is required.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively in English is required.
• A satisfactory record of work performance and attendance is required.

Additional Information

If medical terminology isn't current, a medical terminology test may be administered by the Human Resources Client Services Department. Applicants will be required to enroll in the medical terminology program after acceptance of the position.