Air Medical Communications Specialist - Duke Life Flight

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Commitment bonus (up to $5000)

Job summary

Duke Life Flight within Duke University Health System seeks an Air Medical Communications Specialist to operate the communications center, dispatch crews, and coordinate with clinical teams for rapid patient transport. You will handle phones, radios, weather radar, mapping systems, and data entry while maintaining professional interactions with EMS, hospitals, and physicians.

The role requires NC EMT/EMD certification, ongoing CMA/CommLink CFC training, and proficiency with Maestro Dispatch

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 experience or equivalent education/experience.
• Certified as a North Carolina EMT or EMD; hold current IAMTC, IAED, or CommLink CFC.

Responsibilities

• Operate communications center phones, two-way radio transmission, weather radar, computer database, mapping systems and related equipment.
• Respond to emergency transport calls and dispatch crews per procedures; coordinate teleconferences with physicians and receiving units.
• Provide information on aircraft/ground transport availability, weather, locations, times; coordinate with medical control.
• Maintain interface with Public Safety (Durham EMS, Fire, Police) for proper coordination of transport services.
• Document trauma divert status and enter data into dispatch software; compile and provide statistics as requested.
• Collaborate with MCOs, Transfer Center Nurses, Life Flight Nurses, Case Managers, Billing; ensure complete patient transport information.
• Maintain database on referrals and hospital locations; interpret maps for scene locations.
• Provide excellent customer service to coworkers, patients, visitors, families, and doctors; promote teamwork.
• Participate in Life Flight educational outreach programs and hospital committees.

Skills

Dispatching experience

Emergency communications

Customer service

Education

North Carolina EMT or EMD certification

CommLink Certified Flight Coordinator (CFC) certification

IAMTC/IAED/CommLink CFC certification

Tools

Maestro Dispatch software

Job description

Air Medical Communications Specialist - Duke Life Flight

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 276523

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 29, 2026

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 Communicatorsmay 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
• 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/orexperience
• 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 periodyear 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.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.