Switchboard Operator

Lifepoint Health®; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Tuition assistance

Well-being programs

Career development

Job summary

Harris Regional Hospital, part of Lifepoint Health, seeks a Switchboard Operator to manage high-volume calls, emergency alerts, and routine communications while upholding HIPAA standards. You will route calls, deliver overhead announcements, and support staff with timely information.

This full-time night shift role requires strong communication, calm under pressure, and multitasking across multiple systems. You will contribute to a dedicated 24/7 hospital team in Sylva, NC.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in telecommunications, switchboard operations, or customer service preferred.
• Ability to interact professionally with patients, visitors, staff, and emergency responders while maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize and respond to multiple incoming calls, emergencies, and urgent requests with professionalism and accuracy.
• Handle all hospital calls, including in-house extensions and patient rooms, providing clear and courteous assistance.
• Perform paging, code alerts, overhead announcements, and dial-a-page functions for emergencies and routine communications.
• Coordinate with hospital staff, emergency responders, and security for timely communication and adherence to protocols.
• Maintain switchboard records including patient room assignments, admissions, discharges, and related information.
• Maintain disaster procedure files with emergency contact information and lists.
• Operate multiple communication systems and maintain detailed call logs and records.

Skills

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Switchboard systems

Phones

Radios

Paging systems

Computer applications

Job description

Harris Regional Hospital is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Switchboard Operator, you will manage a high volume of incoming calls, emergency alerts, and communication requests while maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and strict adherence to HIPAA guidelines. You will support hospital operations by routing calls appropriately, delivering emergency notifications and overhead pages, and coordinating timely communication between clinical staff, emergency responders, and security teams. As the Switchboard Operator, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

More About Our Team

The Harris Regional Hospital Switchboard Department is committed to providing clear, accurate, and timely communication support for patients, visitors, and staff. Our team ensures reliable 24/7 call handling, emergency notifications, and information routing to support safe and efficient hospital operations. We work closely with all departments and emergency services to maintain professionalism, responsiveness, and seamless communication throughout the facility.

How You'll Contribute

• Prioritize and respond to multiple incoming calls, emergencies, and urgent requests while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.
• Handle all incoming calls to the hospital, including in-house extensions and patient rooms, while providing clear and courteous assistance.
• Perform in-house paging, code alerts, overhead announcements, and dial-a-page system functions for emergency and routine communications.
• Coordinate with hospital staff, emergency responders, and security to ensure timely communication and adherence to established protocols.
• Maintain and update switchboard records, including patient room assignments, admissions, discharges, and discharged patient information.
• Maintain accurate disaster procedure files, including employee contact information and emergency communication lists.
• Operate multiple communication systems (switchboard, radios, phones, paging systems, and computer applications) and maintain detailed call logs and records.

Why join us

We Believe That Investing In Our Employees Is The First Step To Providing Excellent Patient Care. In Addition To Your Base Compensation, This Position Also Offers

• Comprehensive Benefits:Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage - with medical plans starting at just $10 per pay period - tailored benefit options for part-time and PRN employees, and more.
• Financial Protection & PTO:Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth:Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Employee Well-being:Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Professional Development:Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.
• Free travel and entertainment discount program to ensure you enjoy your time away from work.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with patients, visitors, staff, and emergency responders while maintaining confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Ability to remain calm, prioritize, and respond effectively in high-pressure, fast‑paced, and emergency situations.
• Strong multitasking abilities with the capacity to operate multiple communication systems simultaneously, including switchboards, phones, radios, and paging systems.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills to maintain accurate logs, records, and documentation.
• One year of experience in telecommunications, switchboard operations, customer service, or general office work preferred.
• Proficiency with basic computer systems and data entry for paging, logs, and communication tracking preferred.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays in a 24/7 hospital environment.
• Willingness to learn and follow hospital emergency codes, protocols, and paging procedures.

Schedule: Full-Time; Nights

More About Harris Regional Hospital

Harris Regional Hospital is an 86-bed acute care facility located in Sylva, NC. With a long-standing reputation for excellent care, this fully‑accredited hospital has been providing care to western North Carolina residents since 1925. Harris offers five major service lines, including orthopedics, cardiology, general surgery, women's care, and emergency medicine, as well as sports medicine, physical therapy, imaging and laboratory services, and many other areas of subspecialty care.

EEOC Statement

Harris Regional Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Harris Regional Hospital is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.

Equal opportunity and affirmative action employers and are looking for diversity in candidates for employment: Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran