PBX Operator/Dispatcher

St. Tammany Parish Hospital; Wheeler Heights (OR); On-site; USD 24,796 - 33,062; Full time

Job summary

St. Tammany Health System is hiring a PBX Operator/Dispatcher to manage the hospital's telephone system, route requests, and announce codes. You will monitor alarms, direct responders, and serve as information desk for patients and staff.

Additionally, you will dispatch staff via radio, coordinate 911 notifications, and assist the Information Systems helpdesk after hours. This is a full-time role with varied shifts including nights and holidays.

Qualifications

• High-school graduate; associate degree preferred in a health or IT field.
• Professional verbal and written communication with proper spelling.
• Typing skills and solid PC concepts; familiarity with hospital systems.
• Excellent customer-service skills and good judgement.
• Previous switchboard or dispatch experience is preferred.
• Calm communication during emergencies or crises.
• Understanding medical terms and healthcare customer service.
• Experience with public broadcast systems for overhead paging preferred.
• Knowledge of emergency management or 911 dispatch preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate the telephone switchboard and route requests.
• Perform overhead pages, announce codes, and monitor alarms.
• Serve as information desk for patients and staff.
• Monitor radio communications and dispatch staff.
• Notify 911 and coordinate first responders as needed.
• Support after-hours IS helpdesk tasks and password resets.
• Create and distribute rosters and perform clerical duties.
• Provide after-hours on-call communications for Home Health and Hospice.
• Perform other duties assigned by Lead Operator or Supervisor.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Emergency response

Typing speed

Public safety awareness

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree (Communications/IT/Telecom/Health)

Tools

Switchboard equipment

PC hardware

Hospital information systems

Radio communications (VHF/UHF)

Job description

Position Title: PBX Operator/Dispatcher

Schedule: Full-time: 40 hours weekly, 12‑hour shifts Monday‑Friday 7:00a – 7:00p and/or 7:00p – 7:00a, rotating holidays and weekends.
PRN: Monday‑Friday 7:00a – 7:00p and/or 7:00p – 7:00a, rotating holidays and weekends.

Job Summary

• Operate the telephone switchboard, answer calls, and route requests.
• Perform overhead pages, announce codes, direct responders, and monitor hospital security, fire, and maintenance alarms.
• Serve as an information desk, providing general information for patients and employees.
• Monitor VHF/UHF radio communications and dispatch hospital staff to locations.
• Notify emergency services (911) to help route first‑responders to specific locations.
• Support the Information Systems helpdesk: after‑hours troubleshooting, computer network support, password resets, outages, and minor computer issues.
• Create and distribute hospital rosters and perform other clerical duties.
• Provide after‑hours on‑call services for Home Health and Hospice departments, coordinating communications between patients, families, and medical staff.
• Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned by Lead Operator, Supervisor, or Director.
• Work 40+ hours per week, including day shifts, night shifts, weekends, holidays, and during disasters.

Minimum Qualifications

• High‑school graduate or equivalent. Associate degree in Communications, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or Health‑related field preferred.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills with proper spelling and grammar.
• Computer typing skills and firm knowledge of computer concepts, PC hardware, and software.
• Excellent customer‑service skills, good judgement, and problem‑solving ability.
• Previous switchboard experience preferred.
• Ability to communicate calmly during emergencies or crisis situations.
• Understanding of medical terminology and healthcare customer‑service experience preferred.
• Experience with public broadcast systems for overhead paging preferred.
• Experience in telecommunications, emergency management, or “911” dispatch preferred.
• Strong verbal/public‑relations skills with excellent listening and reasoning abilities.

Physical Demands

• Good physical health with the ability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods.
• Lift up to 10 pounds.
• Physical effort: Constant (67%–100%) – handling/feeling, talking, hearing, seeing; Frequently (34%–66%) – reaching; Occasionally (1%–33%) – lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, stooping, and crouching.

Equal Opportunity Employer

St. Tammany Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.