Medical Communications Officer

Job Summary

The position of Medical Communications Officer (MCO) works within the Medical Communications Centre (MCC) with accountability to ensure coordination and balanced ambulance coverage to all communities within the designated coverage area. The MCO provides rapid response to requests for Routine, Emergency, and Non-Emergent Ambulance service, as well as coordinating the Flight Team and the Provincial Air Ambulance program. The MCO will work independently under the policies and guidelines of NLHS, reporting directly to the Operations Supervisor.

Job Demands

By applying for this job, you acknowledge an understanding that regular requirements and demands of this job include (but are not limited to):

• Occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing less than 25 lbs.
• Regularly required to sit at a work station for extended periods of time.
• Constantly uses fine finger precision work while working on a computer.
• Auditory demands include multiple phone lines ringing, listening for radio transmissions from ambulances, which have to be time stamped and entered into the computer, and background talking from other dispatchers and staff.
• Alertness and concentration are required when performing emergency medical dispatch work. Higher than normal levels of attentiveness or alertness for the health and safety of others is required at all times.
• Time pressures, interruptions, deadlines and lack of control over work pace are experienced when dealing with medical emergency dispatching and responding to 911 calls, listening to radio transmissions from ambulances and entering information into the computer.

Job Qualifications

• Completion of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate with the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatchers (IAED) is required and must be valid when applying.
• Completion of a recognized/approved Standard First Aid and BLS - CPR certification is required and must be valid when applying.
• Completion of a recognized/approved Medical Terminology course is required*
• Successful completion of CritiCall aptitude testing is required. Testing will be administered by the Human Resources.
• Computer literacy in a Windows environment with strong comprehensive computer skills required. A Windows skills test score of 70% is required. A Windows skills test will be administered by Human Resources.
• Knowledge of the geography of the province of Newfoundland Labrador, including major streets, highways, communities, regions, hospitals, and primary medical facilities, is required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows in a multi-screen computer environment is required.
• Demonstrated ability and dexterity in handling call-taking and dispatching functions using computer aided - dispatch, multi-line telephone, and radio communications systems is required.
• Demonstrated ability to define and carry out priorities as identified.
• Demonstrated ability work efficiently and effectively in a multi-tasking high stress environment is required.
• Demonstrated sound and rapid decision-making ability under stressful conditions is required.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal communications and customer service skills to deal with the public and co-workers is required.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking, decision making and problem-solving skills is required.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively in English is required.
• A satisfactory record of work performance and attendance is required.

*If medical terminology isn't current, a medical terminology test may be administered by the Human Resources Client Services Department.