Switchboard Operator - Call Center - Per Diem

Guthrie; Sayre (Bradford County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Guthrie seeks a Hospital Switchboard Operator to serve as the crucial communication hub for patients, families, physicians, and staff. The role requires courteous, efficient operation of Guthrie’s telecommunications system 24 hours a day.

Responsibilities include handling high call volume, paging for emergencies, updating on-call sheets, and training new operators, with emphasis on accuracy and English fluency.

Qualifications

• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Prefer minimum of one year’s telecommunications experience.
• Computer skills include data entry, Windows XP, and Excel; strong English.
• Ability to type accurately and work with speed and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Activate approximately 25 codes for life-threatening situations using the paging system and checklist.
• Handle an average of 3,500–4,500 incoming calls daily.
• Operate the Amcom system database.
• Create and update a daily on-call sheet for 90+ providers and staff.
• Distribute and update on-call lists to ED, Trauma, and Communications Center.
• Provide after-hours paging for patients across Guthrie entities.
• Back-up coverage for the patient information desk.
• Monitor alarm panel and respond to alarms with proper department action.
• Assist in training new operators for all shifts.
• Problem-solve with minimal supervision.

Skills

Call handling

Data entry

Windows XP

Excel

English fluency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Amcom system

Job description

Be the voice that connects care. As a Hospital Switchboard Operator, you'll serve as the vital communication hub of our healthcare team, ensuring patients, families, physicians, and staff stay connected when it matters most. Your professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail will help support seamless patient care across the hospital.

Recognized as a Top Healthcare Employer:

• Best Places to Work 2025 - Modern Healthcare
• America's Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare 2025, 2026 - Newsweek
• America's Best-In-State Employers (PA) 2025 - Forbes
• America's Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025 - Forbes
• America's Best Employers for Women 2025 – Forbes

Schedule & Coverage:

• Per Diem

Position Summary:

Switchboard operators are responsible for courteous, efficient operation of Guthrie’s telecommunications system 24 hours a day. Operators field calls and inquiries, and direct internal and external calls to the proper destination.

They are a vital link in the communication information network throughout the Guthrie system.

Education, License & Cert:

• High school graduate or equivalent

Experience:

Prefer minimum of one year’s experience in the telecommunications field. Computer skills which include data entry, Windows XP, and Excel are required. Accurate and efficient keyboarding skills are necessary as well as fluency with the English language.

Essential Functions:

1. Activates approximately 25 codes for potentially life‑threatening situations.
   1. a. Activates codes utilizing the overhead paging system and pagers and following a detailed checklist to ensure all essential personnel have been notified to respond to the emergency.
   2. b. Responds immediately to correctly activate the codes as time is crucial to the patient’s well‑being.
2. Assists in answering an average of 3500‑4500 incoming calls on a daily basis.
3. Operates database for the Amcom system.
4. Creates and updates a daily on‑call sheet of over 90 providers and staff
   1. a. Distributes and updates on‑call list to the ED, Trauma Department, and Communications Center so that they are informed of vital information related to patient transfers from other facilities.
5. Provides after‑hours paging service for patient calls for several outlying Guthrie Entities.
6. Provides back‑up coverage for the patient information desk.
7. Monitors alarm panel.
   1. a. Notifies proper department when the emergency alarm panel activates as a result of a malfunction. There are 43 alarms in this panel requiring exceptional judgment in responding.
8. Trains new operators.
   1. a. Assists in training new operators on all shifts to ensure they are competent to perform this job successfully.
9. Is required to problem‑solve and find solutions with little to no direction/supervision.

Other Duties:

1. Other duties as assigned.