MedStar Transport Flight Coordinators

MedStar Health; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 37,002 - 55,861; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health is looking for a Critical Transport Communications Specialist in Lanham, Maryland. This role is crucial for coordinating emergency and non-emergency patient transports, ensuring effective communication and operational oversight. The Specialist will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for real-time tracking, collaborate with medical and emergency teams, and implement emergency response protocols.

The ideal candidate should have a High School diploma and dispatching experience along with necessary EMT certifications. The position comes with a hiring range of USD $26.86 – $40.55 per hour.

Qualifications

• Proficient in keyboarding, with typing speed above 60 words per minute.
• Experience with emergency medical communications essential.
• Ability to handle stress and prioritize tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage patient transport logistics efficiently.
• Implement response protocols for emergencies and crises.
• Ensure accurate documentation and data management.

Skills

Proficiency in keyboarding

Communication skills

Ability to prioritize under stress

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Specialized training in emergency medicine/communications

Job description

About the Job

The MedStar Critical Transport Communications Specialist serves as a key expert and resource in the coordination and execution of emergency and non-emergency patient transports. This role ensures efficient communication and operational oversight by managing transport logistics dispatching helicopters and ambulances and maintaining real‑time tracking using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Specialist handles requests for various transport modes, determines appropriate solutions based on patient needs, and ensures accurate documentation across multiple systems. This role also collaborates with healthcare providers, emergency services, and law enforcement to facilitate safe, timely, and effective transport operations, maintaining exceptional customer service and prioritizing crew and patient safety. In addition to core transport functions, the Specialist monitors Communication Center operations, resolves conflicts, and escalates issues as needed. This role oversees equipment functionality, performs quality assurance checks, and implements emergency response protocols during crises, including disaster communications and crash responses. The Specialist participates in ongoing education and continuous improvement efforts to remain highly skilled and capable of supporting MedSTAR's mission in critical patient care.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight & Expertise: Serves as a subject matter expert on MedSTAR Communication Center policies, procedures and tasks ensuring consistent application and adherence. Monitors Communication Center operations during shifts without supervisory coverage addressing operational and personnel issues as needed. Acts as a resource for Communication Specialists by providing guidance, support and expertise.
• Patient Transport Coordination: Coordinates and manages patient transport logistics for fixed‑wing helicopter and ambulance operations including organ team transports and scene medevacs. Ensures seamless communication with physicians, nurses and emergency responders to facilitate safe and timely patient transfers. Receives and processes transport requests, determines appropriate modes of transport and coordinates arrivals with receiving departments.
• Emergency Response & Crisis Management: Implements response protocols for aircraft or ambulance crashes and coordinates disaster communications during hospital disaster responses (Code Orange) and mass casualty incidents. Maintains real‑time situational awareness by tracking aircraft and ambulances using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Communication & Information Management: Dispatches and communicates with helicopters using multiple radio systems. Prioritizes and disseminates accurate information to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Uses maps and GPS systems to determine locations, plot routes and guide transport operations.
• Equipment & Quality Assurance: Ensures proper functioning and stocking of Communication Center equipment, reporting deficiencies as needed. Participates in quality assurance activities including QA meetings, paperwork review and database accuracy checks.
• Administrative & Documentation Tasks: Completes detailed data entry in multiple systems ensuring accuracy and thorough documentation. Processes reimbursement paperwork, secures payor authorizations and ensures compliance with billing requirements. Contacts physicians and healthcare providers via on‑call systems for transport coordination.
• Interpersonal & Team Effectiveness: Uses effective communication skills to resolve conflicts, reduce barriers and foster team collaboration. Provides professional and courteous customer service to support mission objectives.
• Continuous Improvement & Adaptability: Participates in ongoing education, quality improvement tasks and special projects. Adapts to unique and evolving operational needs, performing specialized tasks as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• On‑the‑Job Training specialized and/or advanced clerical, technical or other vocational training in emergency medicine/communications acquired during 1‑2 years of additional job‑related training required

Experience

• One year of dispatching experience in 911 control line/fire‑police dispatching, air traffic control, hospital‑based health or related setting, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience required
• 1–2 years previous experience in an EMS critical care transport or air medical transport communications center. Preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• EMT – Emergency Medical Technician within 1‑1/2 years required
• NREMT – National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Paramedic within 1‑1/2 years required
• RN – Registered Nurse – State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 1‑1/2 years required
• Certified Flight Comm from IAMTCS – CFC/CFC from CommLINK also acceptable within 1‑1/2 years required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Requires proficiency in key‑boarding (>60 words/minute preferred)
• Job requires extensive keyboarding, handwriting and use of telephone equipment
• Ability to remain calm and prioritize tasks appropriately under stressful conditions

This position has a hiring range of USD $26.86 – $40.55 / Hr.