Emergency Medical Dispatcher

County Emergency Communications; Cedar Rapids (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Continuing education

Job summary

County Emergency Communications in Cedar Rapids seeks Emergency Medical Dispatchers to handle urgent medical calls, gather essential details, and coordinate responses. You will follow approved protocols to provide instructions and support responders, with a focus on accuracy and rapid triage.

Preferred candidates hold a high school diploma and EMS dispatcher certification; CPR training and related coursework may be required.

Qualifications

• Receives calls involving illness, injury, and emergencies.
• Gathers patient and incident information and confirms details.
• Documents call processing and participates in quality-review activities.

Responsibilities

• Receive calls involving illness, injury, and other medical emergencies
• Confirm the patient’s location, callback number, and access details
• Ask approved questions about the patient’s condition
• Determine response priority through the medical dispatch system and coordinate resources
• Provide protocol-based instructions within qualifications
• Relay patient information and scene hazards to responders
• Document call processing and participate in quality-review activities

Skills

Call handling

Communication

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification (preferred/required)

Job description

Emergency Medical Dispatcher Opportunities in Cedar Rapids

Emergency Medical Dispatchers help people requesting urgent medical assistance. Using an agency-approved system, they gather patient and incident information, establish response priorities, and support the coordination of emergency medical resources.

Depending on training, certification, and assignment, dispatchers may also provide approved instructions before responders arrive. These instructions must follow the employer’s medical dispatch protocols and oversight requirements.

Position Details

• Duty Location: {airport_name}, Cedar Rapids, NE
• Employer: The hiring EMS provider or communications agency identified in the official vacancy
• Pay: {salary_min}–{salary_max} per year
• Schedule: {work_schedule}
• Appointment Type: {appointment_type}
• Who May Apply: {who_may_apply}
• Application Deadline: {closing_date}

Emergency medical communications may operate continuously. Employees may be assigned overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, rotating schedules, and required overtime.

What You May Do

• Receive calls involving illness, injury, and other medical emergencies
• Confirm the patient’s location, callback number, and access details
• Ask approved questions about the patient’s condition
• Determine response priority through the authorized medical dispatch systemDispatch or coordinate ambulance resources when included in the assignment
• Provide protocol-based instructions within current qualifications
• Relay patient information and scene hazards to responding personnel
• Document call processing and participate in quality-review activities

Experience and Education Requirements

A high school diploma or recognized equivalent is commonly required. Employers may recruit applicants for sponsored training or require current Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification before appointment.

CPR certification and additional coursework may be required. EMT or paramedic credentials are not universal requirements for this role; consult the vacancy for the exact qualifications and accepted certification providers.

General Conditions of Employment

• Meet the employer’s age and employment eligibility requirements
• Complete required background screening and employment assessments
• Pass additional evaluations when specified by the hiring agency
• Obtain and maintain required medical dispatch and CPR certifications
• Follow approved protocols, medical oversight, and quality-assurance procedures
• Protect confidential patient and incident information

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This role generally involves extended console work, headset use, and simultaneous listening and data entry. Calls may concern serious illness, childbirth, injury, or death. Essential functions and accommodation procedures are established by the employer.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may receive insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid leave, employee-assistance services, and continuing education.
• Certification support, shift premiums, and other benefits depend on the organization and appointment terms.