Central Communications Operator

Sentara Healthcare Inc; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sentara Healthcare Inc is hiring Central Communications Operators in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This full-time position involves managing emergency and non-emergency communications within a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate should have a High School Diploma and 2 years of experience in a communications setting, along with strong skills in managing confidential information and prioritizing tasks under pressure. Successful candidates must be available for rotating weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in a high-volume communications environment, preferred in healthcare or emergency services.
• Ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and maintain composure under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary hub for emergency and non-emergency communications.
• Support rapid response coordination and internal escalation.

Skills

Communication under pressure

Attention to detail

Confidential information handling

Proficiency with multi-line phone systems

Troubleshooting communication equipment

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Electronic health record systems

Call management software

Paging systems

Job description

Overview

Sentara Health is hiring Central Communications Operators.

This position is on-site in Harrisonburg or Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Position Status: Full-time second and third shift opportunities.

Position Location: Rockingham Atrium – Harrisonburg, VA / Sentara Independence – Virginia Beach, VA

Standard Working Hours:

• Second Shift: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM or 4:30 PM – 1:00 AM
• Third Shift: 9:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Rotating weekends required. Must work 3 holidays.

Central Communications Operators play a critical role in ensuring seamless, timely communication across Sentara hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, and after-hours call services. Operating within a centralized, 24/7 environment, this role serves as the primary hub for emergency and non-emergency communications—supporting rapid response coordination, internal escalation, and exceptional customer service. Success in this role requires the ability to stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and communicate with urgency and precision during high impact situations.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Required)

Certification/Licensure

• No specific certification or licensure required at time of hire

Experience

• 2 years of experience in a high-volume, fast-paced communications, call center, or service operations environment, such as healthcare, emergency services, telecommunications, public safety, or centralized customer support (Required)

The ideal candidate will possess the following (Preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Knowledge of emergency codes and hospital incident command systems
• Proficiency with multi-line phone systems, paging systems and emergency notification platforms
• Experience with electronic health record systems and call management software
• Ability to troubleshoot communication equipment under pressure
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation