Communications Specialist

L.E. Cox Medical Centers; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

CoxHealth is seeking a Communication Specialist at Cox North in Springfield, MO, to answer 911 calls, dispatch emergency services, and coordinate ambulance responses. You will verify locations, collect critical information, and stay on the line with callers until responders arrive, ensuring timely and accurate dispatch decisions.

The role requires attention to protocol, calm decision-making under pressure, and strong telecommunications skills.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Preferred: Emergency Medical Dispatch Training.
• Preferred: 1 year of communications center experience.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 calls and dispatch emergency services within the established time frame.
• Gather critical information regarding the nature of the complaint and verify incident location per protocol.
• Remain on the phone with caller until first responder arrives and coach caller as needed.
• Assign appropriate level of ambulance to the event and send information within 30 seconds of dispatch.
• Manage the ambulance posting plan as workflow requires; track and adjust as needed.
• Flight follows helicopters when needed.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Telecom skills

Decision making

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Emergency Medical Dispatch Training

Job description

Facility: Cox North: 1423 N Jefferson Ave, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America, 65802 Department: 1811 Emergency Communications Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Hours: 10:00AM - 10:00PM Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America)

CoxHealth is a leading healthcare system serving 25 counties across southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. The organization includes six hospitals, 5 ERs, and over 80 clinics.

CoxHealth has earned the following honors for workplace excellence: Named one of Modern Healthcare's Best Places to work five times. Named one of America's Greatest Workplaces, Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare (2025, 2026), Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023, 2024), and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity (2024) by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads. Healthcare Innovation's Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare (2025).

Benefits Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement with Employer Match and more (20+ hrs/week)

Job Description: The Communication Specialist is responsible for answering 911 calls and appropriately dispatching emergency services within the established time frame. This includes gathering critical information regarding the nature of the complaint and verifying the location of the incident per protocol. Responsible for remaining on the phone with the caller until the first responder arrives and coaches the caller per protocol as the situation requires. The Communication Specialist assigns appropriate level of ambulance to the event and sends all corresponding information within 30 seconds of dispatch. Responsible for managing the ambulance posting plan as workflow requires. Flight follows helicopters when needed.

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Preferred: Emergency Medical Dispatch Training

Experience

• Preferred:1 year of communications center experience

Skills

• Calmly and efficiently perform and make appropriate decisions rapidly under stress in emergency situations.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Possess good telecommunications skills.
• Possess ability to track and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Possess ability to maintain a tolerant and congenial presence when dealing with public, crews and other departments while answering numerous calls per day and covering urgent requests.

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• Preferred: PRO QA

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community? At CoxHealth, we don't just provide medical services; we've created an atmosphere where innovation, collaboration, values, and excellence come together to transform lives. Whether you desire to work in a clinical or non-clinical capacity, CoxHealth has the perfect position for you! CoxHealth is the region’s employer of choice because we keep our mission, vision, and values in mind with every decision for our employees and our patients.

OUR MISSION To improve the health of the communities we serve.

OUR VISION To be the best for those who need us.

OUR VALUES Safety, compassion, respect, and integrity.

CoxHealth is the area leader in health care and community involvement, with six hospitals, more than 80 clinics, five ERs and more than 14,000 employees throughout southwest Missouri. We offer a wide range of treatments and services to help with whatever health needs you might have. Whether you're about to become a parent, have an illness or need medical information, we're here for you. And if your goal is to live a healthy, balanced life with the best tools available, we can help with that, too. We know that your health and the health of your loved ones are some of the most personal, important parts of your life. That's why we keep our Mission, Vision and Values at the center of everything we do, every day. Thank you for choosing CoxHealth.