911 Dispatcher - EMT/Paramedic

Hackensack Meridian Health; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health seeks a skilled EMS Dispatch role to handle 9-1-1 calls, coordinate EMS responses, and liaise with police, fire, and hospital teams. The candidate ensures accurate documentation and timely communications while maintaining privacy and compliance across all steps.

Responsibilities include prioritizing messages, dispatching units, and supporting incident response with strong radio and digital tools, under guidance from leadership.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Experience dispatching EMS, police, or fire services is needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with radio systems and dispatch procedures.
• Proficiency with dispatch software and common office tools.

Responsibilities

• Receives and processes incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communication.
• Differentiates between routine and priority messages and responds promptly.
• Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA/patient privacy compliance.
• Records requests for service and processes 9-1-1 dispatches with instructions.
• Dispatches units and coordinates outsourced services, updating stakeholders.
• Keeps unit locations current and supports large-scale incident management.
• Collaborates with county OEM and NJ EMS Task Force representatives.
• Communicates with prehospital providers and receiving facilities.
• Maintains diversion logs and submits event reports as needed.
• Verifies documentation per established protocols and performs other duties.

Skills

Dispatcher experience

Communication skills

Radio system knowledge

FCC rules familiarity

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

EMT Certification NJ

AHA Basic Life Support Certification

IPC 100/IPC 200 Certification

Hazmat Awareness Certification

Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification NJ

Basic Tele-communicator Certification

Tools

Dispatch software

MS Office / Google Suite

Radio communications equipment

Job description

Description

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

Performs dispatch functions on behalf of the EMS department(s). Coordinates requests for EMS services. Responsible for efficiently and accurately managing incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communications. Acts as a liaison between EMS and those requesting EMS services, such as police departments, fire departments, other EMS agencies, civilians, case managers, social workers, and other facility representatives. Validates requestor information and associated documentation (e.g., PCS forms) and follows up timely on discrepancies. Processes 9-1-1 requests for service, including providing emergency medical call screening and pre-arrival instructions as indicated. Provides dispatch to EMS department units, and interacts with EMS crews. Communicates effectively with requestors, including updates regarding scheduling, delays, and other relevant information. Escalates concerns and conflicts to the chain of command promptly. Performs all other duties assigned by leadership.

Responsibilties

• Receives and processes incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communication.
• Differentiates between routine and priority messages, and initiates and follows through on responses as required in a prompt, professional, and caring manner.
• Maintains confidentiality and abides by all HIPAA and patient privacy policies and regulations.
• Complies with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Records all requests for service through handwritten and computer entries.
• Processes requests for 9-1-1 services, including providing emergency medical call screening, and pre-arrival instructions.
• Dispatches units employing radio, telephone, or other equipment provided, following established protocols.
• Coordinates requests outsourced to partner agencies including maintaining records of outsourced service requests. Escalates concerns and complaints related to outsourced service requests to the chain of command promptly.
• Maintains the status and location of all units and personnel at all times.
• Manages resource requests for large-scale incidents when requested.
• Works with county Office of Emergency Management and NJ EMS Task Force representatives.
• Communicate with and respond to requests from other dispatch centers.
• Communicate and document all relevant information between the prehospital providers and receiving facilities.
• Maintains hospital diversion logs and provides notifications to stakeholders when appropriate.
• Troubleshoot all communications equipment problems and notify the appropriate service agency for repair.
• Submits event reports as needed.
• Validate documentation (e.g., PCS forms) by established protocols.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in dispatching law enforcement, fire department, or EMS services.
• Working knowledge of the radio system and its components.
• Working understanding of radio broadcast procedures.
• Familiarity with FCC Rules and Regulations.
• Familiarity with computer-aided dispatch, dispatch software, UHF/VHF, and other radio frequencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred

• Experience working with case managers and insurance providers.
• Knowledge of county geo-political boundaries, major highways, and landmarks.
• Familiarity with computer-aided dispatch, dispatch software, UHF/VHF, and other radio frequencies.

Licenses And Certifications Required

• Emergency Medical Technician Certification New Jersey or Paramedics Certification.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.
• Certified in IPC 100 and IPC 200 Certification and Hazmat Awareness.
• Basic Tele-communicator Certification within 3 months of entering position.
• Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification (NJ State Approved) within 3 months of entering position.

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

Job Duties

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Minimum rate of $29.58 Hourly