Switchboard Operator

Altru Health System; United States; On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

401(k) retirement plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Life and disability insurance

Education assistance

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Altru Health System is seeking a part-time, flex/casual Switchboard Operator to respond to emergencies and all inquiries for the hospital campuses in Grand Forks, ND. The role requires prompt, courteous communication by phone and in person, with on-call coordination and weekend rotation responsibilities.

The position emphasizes service excellence, cross-department collaboration, and accurate documentation of events and paging requests. Work hours include every third weekend and varied shifts.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English is required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Ability to multitask and handle high volume calls with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and visitors and communicate information clearly.
• Answer incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for medical service.
• Triages calls and directs them to appropriate provider offices or staff.
• Coordinate with on-call personnel and paging across departments as directed.
• Maintain accurate logs of emergencies and call details.
• Collaborate with Guest Service Representatives and other service areas.

Skills

Customer service

Phone etiquette

Communication

Job description

Location

Altru Hospital 1200 South Columbia Road Grand Forks, ND 58201

Pay Range

$16.26 - $24.38

Summary

Responds to emergencies/alarm systems for all Altru Health System buildings and promptly executes proper procedures and documentation including tracking of 911 calls to dispatch. This position handles all communication in a prompt, accurate, and courteous manner both over the phone and in-person. The representative initiates and manages interactions with on-call personnel and coordinates and assists with paging appropriate personnel as directed. When the Security Officer is called away from their station, the Switchboard Operator acts as a resource for families by answering questions and directing them to services they may need primarily over the phone. This is a flex/casual part-time position with every third weekend required.

Essential Job Functions

Positively greets and accurately communicates information to all patients and guests arriving at Altru Health System. Initiates and implements all aspects of service excellence utilizing good judgment in providing companionship/escort services as deemed appropriate while ensuring all patient/guest needs are met. Handles all communication over the phone or in person in a prompt, accurate, timely and courteous manner. Proactively helps identify service needs within Altru Health System (i.e. cafeteria, restrooms, telephone, etc.) and outside of Altru Health System (i.e. convenient restaurants, hotels, shopping locations, and community attractions). Responds to all emergency/alarm systems for all Altru Health System buildings and promptly executes proper procedures and documentation. Creates log for each emergency with detailed information (i.e. time of call, location, time overhead completed, time page was sent, any unusual nuances with the calls, etc.) Monitors the facilities Control Center Screens; responds to system alarms, locates the area impacted, silences the alarm, and imitates emergency notification processes specific to each area (Fire, Infant Security, and or Pneumatic tube system). Takes calls for Biomed, IT, and Maintenance after business hours; logs non urgent issues or follows appropriate processes for notification of on call personal for urgent issues. Receives and screens internal and external calls; answers incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for medical service. Triages calls to appropriate areas or creates electronic messages and sends to appropriate provider office for follow-up. Coordinates closely with Guest Service Representatives, Greeters and other service areas within Altru Health System to maximize the ability to provide patient/guest assistance and services; works collaboratively with volunteers. Utilizes computer systems to look up information to direct the patients, family members and visitors appropriately. (i.e. scheduled appointments, physician location, patient rooms, etc.). Captures patient information from callers after hours regarding appointments or other medical questions. Follow-up with appropriate staff as needed. Coordinates and assists contacting providers on-call at all times of the day including weekends. Ensures all call schedules are accurate. Updates call schedules as needed. Coordinates and assists contacting Case Management/Care Management team members from outside facilities and family members. Will cross train in Guest Service Representative role as part of professional development.

Language Requirements

This position requires proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English to ensure effective communication in the workplace and with patients, families, and team members.

Physical Demands

• Sit: Frequently (34-66%)
• Stand: Occasionally (5-33%)
• Walk: Frequently (34-66%)
• Stoop/Bend: Occasionally (5-33%)
• Reach: Frequently (34-66%)
• Crawl: Not Applicable
• Squat/Crouch/Kneel: Occasionally (5-33%)
• Twist: Occasionally (5-33%)
• Handle/Finger/Feel: Continuously (67-100%)
• See: Continuously (67-100%)
• Hear: Continuously (67-100%)

Weight Demands

• Lift -Floor to Waist Level: Sedentary (<10 pounds)
• Carry: Sedentary (<10 pounds)
• Push/Pull: Sedentary (<10 pounds)
• Slide/Transfer: Not Applicable

Working Conditions

• Indoor: Continuously (67-100%)
• Outdoor: Not Applicable
• Extreme Temperature: Not Applicable

Driving Requirement Definitions

Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or hazardous materials. Frequent Drivers: Persons whose main responsibility is not driving, but drive daily or almost daily. Occasional Drivers: Persons who drive from once per month to as frequently as once per week. Infrequent Drivers: Persons who are generally not expected to drive.

Driving Requirement for this position: Infrequent Driver Reference ID: R8082

Making a real difference. For one another. To take the best care of our patients and community — including friends, family, and neighbors — we need people who are committed to growth, excellence, and one another.

At Altru, you’ll find a culture where support and teamwork are at the heart of what we do. You’ll have opportunities to advance your skills, work with the latest technologies, experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back, and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join our team and be a part of a small community with a big heart. Altru offers a comprehensive benefits package to its full- and part-time employees. Excellent benefits include a health plan and 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include a dental plan, vision plan, life and disability insurance, education assistance, paid time off (PTO).

Altru offers a comprehensive benefits package to its full- and part-time employees. Excellent benefits include a health plan and 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include a dental plan, vision plan, life and disability insurance, education assistance, paid time off (PTO). At Altru, everything we do is underscored by a why—and that why is one another. We believe in the power of community and the difference we can make together. As the trusted healthcare provider in our region, we’re driven by a commitment to quality care and creating a supportive environment where every team member can thrive. Here, you’ll have opportunities to advance your skills, work with the latest technologies, and experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back—taking your career wherever you want it to go. Join our team and be part of a small community with a big heart.

Want a closer look at life at Altru? Follow us on our careers social channels to see our people, culture, and impact in action—and stay up to date on new opportunities. Facebook.com/AltruCareers Instagram.com/AltruCareers

Altru provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to increase opportunities and eliminate barriers to employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process to access job postings, to apply for a job, for a job interview, for pre-employment testing, or with the onboarding process, please contact Altru’s Human Resources Department at [e-mail] or 701.780.5107.

Altru is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more or to request a copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity and Eligibility policy and Aff1ative Action Plan at no charge, please contact Altru’s Human Resources Department at [e-mail] or 701.780.5107. Additionally, the following poster is available through the Department of Labor: Know Your Rights. Altru participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.