Communications Tech I - Pulse Center - Full Time

Job Description

Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Guthrie Clinic’s Pulse Center is a service that will provide critical support to the system through virtual care delivery, along with bed management and transfer coordination. Communications technicians will receive valuable exposure to the inner workings of hospitals in a fast-paced environment. This position will provide coordination of communication between The Guthrie Clinic Hospitals, Guthrie physicians, EMS ambulances and helicopters, referring and receiving facilities and other health-care related agencies, specifically related to internal and external patient transfers. Provide observation and monitoring of electronic safety, security and alarm systems for Guthrie’s Sayre Campus and any Guthrie entity as requested.

Experience

Prior experience in a transfer center, emergency call center, or health care setting preferred. Prior experience in multi-functional communications, operation of monitoring safety and security electronic operations, and computer literacy and data entry / EPIC experience preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology and strong communication skills required.

Education

High School diploma or GED. Will consider experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Medical / Clinical Assistant, Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in lieu of education.

Licenses

Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), or Licensed Practical Nurse preferred.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the referral center for incoming and outgoing patients.
• Coordinates communication between referring physicians, facilities, and agencies with the appropriate Guthrie physician, department, or individual
• Coordinates and arranges emergent and non-emergent patient transfers across all Guthrie Hospitals. Assists other facilities or agencies with arrangement of patient transfer as needed
• Monitors, receives, and coordinates communication between in-bound ambulances and helicopters, takes EMS report or connects to Medical Command or Emergency Departments as appropriate
• Communicates with staff at internal and external entities for proper bed placement.
• Engages in correspondence with nursing and other relevant staff members (Inpatient, Observation, Operating Room, Cardiac Cath Lab) to ensure that patients are placed in the appropriate facility / bed / unit for their condition
• Understands the documentation / EPIC workflows and requirements surrounding both internal and external transfers
• Listens attentively and provides detailed documentation to prevent communication breakdowns between the sending and receiving parties for a smooth patient transition
• Provides monitoring of the following Guthrie Sayre Campus, Life safety, and Security Systems :
• Fire alarm panels – Be able to communicate with both security officers on duty and Bradford County
• Panic Alarm Systems – Dispatches security officers to area requiring assistance. Coordinate outside assistance if needed
• CCTV Systems- Monitors the closed-circuit TV systems. Monitors for unusual or suspicious activity. Notifies Security or appropriate agency when an unusual event is observed
• Refrigerator and Freezer Alarms – Monitors and responds to temperature alarms on vaccine refrigerators and freezers at all Guthrie Clinic locations
• Gas Alarms – Monitors Robert Packer Hospital gas alarm status, and sends out total alert to all hospital staff members if needed
• Receives other alarms or requests for services and handles appropriately
• Completes, compiles, and assures accuracy of essential data in various Communications Center and Transfer Center documentation methods, forms and databases.
• Updates and edits the Communication Center’s Referral Database
• Serves as the point of contact for pre-hospital communications during mass casualty disasters and hospital emergencies.
• Assists in placing emergency calls for both internal and external customers as requested or appropriate
• Activates the hospital Command Center through the ezNotify system
• Coordinates communication between area ambulances, helicopters, RPH and other facilities in collaboration with the Emergency Operations Center
• Provides coordination of communication, answering services, alarm monitoring, and informational reports for the following groups and organizations :
• RPH Security phones calls and dispatching of security officers as needed
• Dispatching of internal transporters when needed
• Med Supply Depot
• Requests for the Regional CISM Team and makes notification through Bradford County EOC
• Requests for Guthrie Air. Refers calls or request information to Air Methods Communications Center, LifeComm, as appropriate
• Other functions
• Represents the organization in a professional, courteous manner to patients, families, co-workers, and other health team members, while being sensitive how verbal and non-verbal communication is perceived. Maintains confidentiality in compliance with HIPPA at all times
• Prioritizes and expedites all Communication Center’s calls in an appropriate and timely manner
• Collects patient transportation vouchers
• Provides information from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as requested
• Notifies staff and outside entities of hospital diversion status
• Maintains and dispenses keys for the Patterson Education Building’s apartments and on-call rooms as needed
• Contacts MHMR (Mental Health), Coroner, and local police agencies for the Emergency Department and hospital personnel
• Assists hospital personnel, community agencies and patient family members by providing directions and maps for travel to and from RPH
• Identifies customer requirements and continually strives to conform to requirements 100% of the time

Pay Range $18.55 - $29.40 / hr, DOE

About Us

Joining the Guthrie team allows you to become a part of a tradition of excellence in health care. In all areas and at all levels of Guthrie, you’ll find staff members who have committed themselves to serving the community.

The Guthrie Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 500 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.