Air Medical Communications Specialist - Duke Life Flight

Duke Health; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

$5000 Commitment Bonus

Job summary

Duke Life Flight, part of Duke Health, is seeking a Communications Specialist to join the Air Medical Communications Center. You will operate the phones, radio, weather radar, and dispatch software to support rapid air and ground patient transport.

The role emphasizes responding to emergencies, coordinating with physicians, nurses, and local EMS, and maintaining accurate log data. A path includes relocation assistance and a $5000 commitment bonus for eligible employees.

Qualifications

• Two years of dispatching experience in 911 control line, fire/police dispatching, air traffic control or related setting
• Certified as a North Carolina EMT or EMD
• Maintain current IAMTC, IAED, or CommLink CFC credentials
• CommLink CFC must be obtained within 18 months
• Ability to learn Maestro and Dispatch software within 6 months
• Maintain certification through continuing education

Responsibilities

• Operate communications center phones, two‑way radio and related systems for air and ground transport
• Respond to emergency calls and dispatch crews per procedures
• Coordinate with medical control, transport nurse, referral source and receiving units
• Provide weather projections and location information to flight crews
• Maintain data and daily logs of transport activities
• Collaborate with Life Flight staff and other departments to ensure data accuracy

Skills

Dispatching experience

Emergency communications

Interpersonal communication

Radio/console operation

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

NC EMT or EMD certification

CommLink CFC within 18 months

Tools

Maestro

Dispatch software

Weather radar system

Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke Life Flight

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Life Flight, which is Duke Health's critical care and emergency air and ground transport team, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. The team includes paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, and communications specialists who work quickly to provide compassionate care and transport services to critically ill patients of all ages. Duke Life Flight also maintains a Code Blue Response Team and helps support event medicine needs.

• Air Medical Communicators may be eligible for a $5000 Commitment Bonus (terms and conditions apply)

Position is eligible for a relocation assistance (terms and conditions apply)

Air Medical Communications Specialist– Duke University Health System - Duke Life Flight

Duke University Health System seeks to hire a Comm Specialist for the Duke Life Flight team, who will embrace our mission of Transforming Lives Transforming Care.

Perform a variety of activities in the Air Medical Communications Center to include the operation of phone, radio console, weather radar system, computer database, mapping systems and related systems and equipment in support of air medical and ground based patient transport services.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Operate communications center phones, two-way radio transmission and receiving console, weather radar system, computer database, mapping systems and related systems and equipment in support of air medical and ground based patient transport services.
• Respond to emergency transport calls and dispatch the crew according to established procedures; receive incoming calls and set up teleconferences with attending physician(s), transport nurse, referral source and appropriate receiving units; provide information on aircraft or ground transport availability, weather projections, locations and time projections.
• Recommend appropriate utilization of Communications Center services to medical control officer on duty; outline available options and recommend course of action based on assessment of all relevant factors.
• Maintain interface with Public Safety (i.e. Durham EMS, Fire, Police and Rescue) to ensure proper coordination of transport services in emergency and trauma-related transport activities.
• Provide statistical information as requested by flight crew to include average flight distance, average time, latitudes and longitudes; provide directions for specific landing sites. Monitor and read weather radar information as requested.
• Coordinate emergency and direct admissions from outside hospitals in conjunction with charge nurses and physicians based on treatment plan and bed availability. Accurate and timely documentation of trauma divert status for hospital.
• Work collaboratively with the MCO’s, Transfer Center Nurses, Patient Placement, Life Flight Nurses, Case Managers, Billing Department, and all other Departments associated with the Air-Medical Transfer Center to ensure proper information is gathered and entered into the computerized dispatch software correctly and patient transport is complete.
• Maintain database on referrals and hospital locations; access, read and interpret county, state and specialized maps for determining locations of accident scenes or referral sources.
• Provide superior customer service in interpersonal relationships with co-workers, patients, visitors, families, and Doctors in a courteous, professional, and friendly manner. Promote teamwork by exchanging ideas.
• Enter and record a variety of data and maintain a file of reports, forms, records and daily log.
• Participate in Life Flight educational outreach programs as directed. Participate in departmental and/or hospital committees.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Work Schedule

• 3 - 12 hour shifts
• Shifts available: 11a-11p
• Location: 14 Moore Drive, Durham NC 27703

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Two years of dispatching experience in 911 control line, fire/police dispatching, air traffic control,
• hospital-based health or related setting or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Certified as a North Carolina EMT or EMD. Hold current IAMTC, IAED, or CommLink CFC
• Maintain certification through continuing education
• CommLink Certified Flight Coordinator Certification (CommLink CFC) within 18 months
• Ability to operate radio/console equipment and transmit information.
• Ability to learn Maestro and Dispatch software applications. Master competencies in these areas within 6 months.
• Evaluate progress in these areas within the 90 day probationary period year of employment.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.