Communications Switchboard Operator

CommonSpirit Health; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, ND is seeking a Communication Switchboard Operator to assist patients, staff, and the community with rapid access to vital services.

You will handle high volumes of calls across the network, follow strict telecommunications protocols, and maintain system uptime with professional, empathetic communication. Key duties include call processing, paging system proficiency, conflict resolution, and crisis management to ensure continuous, quality service.

Qualifications

• Experience in reception and customer service.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Windows.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to respond effectively in emergency and stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Process high volumes of inbound and outbound calls per protocols.
• Maintain knowledge of paging, call parking, and side-phone operations.
• Handle difficult callers with tact and diplomacy.
• Remain calm and professional during emergencies or outages.
• Aim to maximize efficiency and meet service benchmarks.
• Model the organization’s standards of service excellence.

Skills

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Communication skills

Telephone etiquette

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Windows

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Communication Switchboard Operator, you will help patients, staff, and the community so they can access vital services and information quickly and accurately. Every day you will process high volumes of calls across multiple healthcare facilities within the network. You will be expected to follow strict telecommunications protocols, maintain system uptime, and provide professional, empathetic assistance during both routine and emergency situations. To be successful in this role, you must possess the ability to remain calm and focused in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure call center environment while demonstrating exceptional communication skills and attention to detail.

• Call Processing: Manage the high-volume processing of all inbound and outbound network calls in accordance with established telecommunications protocols and scripting
• Technical Proficiency: Maintain expert knowledge of communication systems, including paging protocols, call parking, and side-phone operations, to ensure seamless connectivity
• Conflict Resolution: Exercise tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when managing difficult callers or sensitive situations, always prioritizing the caller’s total satisfaction
• Crisis Management: Demonstrate composure and system expertise during stressful events, such as equipment malfunctions or network failures, to ensure service continuity
• Performance Benchmarks: Optimize efficiency by maximizing ACD/Ready time and minimizing wrap time to consistently meet departmental service goals
• Professional Excellence: Embody the organization’s Journey Beyond Excellence standards through role‑model behavior and a commitment to high‑quality service delivery

Job Requirements

Required

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Previous reception and customer service experience and experience with Microsoft Outlook and Windows
• Excellent attendance and punctuality
• Computer ability, telephone proficiency and etiquette, basic office skills are required
• Ability to respond and perform effectively in emergency and stressful situations is necessary

Where You’ll Work

Since 1885, CHI St. Alexius Health has been dedicated to leading health care in this region by enriching the lives of patients through the highest quality of care. We seek to continue our tradition of success and innovation with individuals dedicated to delivering the highest level of expertise and quality. Together we can continue to grow and support the legacy of CHI St. Alexius Health for many years to come.

CHI St. Alexius Health is a regional health network with a tertiary hospital in Bismarck, the system also consists of critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Carrington, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Garrison, Turtle Lake, Washburn and Williston and numerous clinics and outpatient services. CHI St. Alexius Health manages four CAHs in North Dakota - Elgin, Linton, and Wishek, as well as Mobridge Regional Medical Center in Mobridge, S.D. CHI St. Alexius Health offers a comprehensive line of inpatient and outpatient medical services, including: a Level II Trauma Center, primary and specialty physician clinics, home health and hospice services, durable medical equipment services, a fitness and human performance center and ancillary services throughout western and central North Dakota.

CHI St. Alexius Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care.

Pay Range

$15.00 - $20.12 /hour