Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher - MEDCOM - Wage

UVA Health System; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Professional environment

Job summary

UVA Health is seeking an Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher to translate clinical urgency into precise actions, coordinating EMS calls and facility transfers. You’ll monitor multiple requests, prioritize patient safety, and document decisions in real time using established systems.

Join a high‑reliability, academic medical center where EMS expertise is valued, and professional development opportunities exist within a broad health system and trauma center network.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• EMT Certification in Virginia required within one year of hire.
• AHA Health Care Provider BLS CPR certification required.
• Advanced EMT certification or higher within four years of hire is required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and document incoming communications accurately and in a timely manner.
• Follow established procedures to support coordination of emergency response activities.
• Communicate information clearly to appropriate personnel and external contacts.
• Complete routine tasks in alignment with defined workflows and service expectations.
• Coordinate medical transport requests across inpatient, emergency, and specialty services.
• Prioritize transport needs using clinical knowledge and assess acuity.

Skills

Emergency communications

EMS coordination

Multitasking under pressure

Clear communication

Documentation in real time

Education

High School Diploma

EMT Certification (Virginia)

BLS CPR Certification

Tools

Dispatch software

EMS equipment

Job description

When seconds matter and coordination saves lives, MEDCOM is the nerve center that keeps care moving. As an Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher at UVA Health, your clinical background and operational judgment directly support safe, timely patient movement across one of Virginia’s most advanced academic health systems.

The Role

MEDCOM serves as the centralized hub for emergency and nonemergency medical transport coordination across UVA Health. As a dispatcher, you translate clinical urgency into precise action, ensuring the right resources move at the right time for the right patient.

Your work blends clinical awareness with operational control and includes:

• Coordinating medical transport requests across inpatient, emergency, and specialty services for multiple hospitals.
• Applying EMT or Paramedic clinical knowledge to prioritize transport needs and assess acuity.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with EMS crews, hospital teams, and external partners.
• Managing multiple requests simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and situational awareness.
• Documenting transport activity and decisions in real time using established systems and protocols.
• Supporting patient safety through effective handoffs, escalation, and problem resolution.

What an average day looks like

You will work in a fast paced communications center where conditions shift quickly. Calls vary from routine transfers to time sensitive; high acuity movements requiring decisive coordination. The pace is steady, the expectations are high, and the impact of your decisions is immediate and measurable across the care continuum. This role rewards professionals who remain composed under pressure, think several steps ahead, and understand how operational excellence supports clinical outcomes.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health is a nationally recognized academic medical center where complex care demands seamless coordination behind the scenes. MEDCOM plays a strategically vital role in ensuring patients receive the right level of care at the right location, without delay.

Why do experienced EMS professionals choose UVA Health for this work:

• Practice within a large, integrated health system that includes a Level I Trauma Center and highly specialized inpatient services.
• Be part of a mission driven organization committed to patient safety, reliability, and clinical excellence.
• Work in a role where EMS expertise is respected and essential, not secondary.
• Gain exposure to systemwide operations that broaden career pathways beyond traditional field roles.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams who rely on MEDCOM as a trusted operational partner.

Additional highlights include:

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.
• A stable, professional environment designed for long-term career sustainability.
• The opportunity to influence care delivery at a systems level while remaining clinically connected.

Typical Essential Functions:

• Receives and documents incoming communication accurately and in a timely manner.
• Follows established procedures to support coordination of emergency response activities.
• Communicates information clearly to appropriate personnel and external contacts.
• Completes routine tasks in alignment with defined workflows and service expectations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High School Graduate or Equivalent required.

Experience: Previous experience in emergency response or emergency communications. Successfully completion of on the job training will be required. In lieu of EMT certification, Five years experience of dispatching in 911or an emergency communications center.

Licensure: Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the Commonwealth of Virginia required within one year of hire required. AHA Health Care Provider BLS CPR certification required. Must obtain Advanced EMT certification or higher within four years of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, frequently typing/traveling and multi-tasking activities. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull > 20lbs. May be exposed to fumes, heat, noise, High-stress environment and environment prone to high-capacity sensory stimulation.

The pay range for this role is $18.00 - $30.14 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.