Ambulance Services, Aviation Industry, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software, Communication Skills, Detail Oriented, EMT-Paramedics, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), High School Diploma, Hospital, Medical Terminology, Multitasking, Operational Support, Public Safety, Resource Management, Team Player, Telephone Skills, Time Management
Overview
Position Summary
The Communications Specialist coordinates both routine and emergency air and ground medical transportation requests. Working as part of a team, this role supports helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground ambulance operations to help ensure patients receive timely and appropriate transport services.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will:
- Stay calm and professional in high-pressure situations
- Have strong attention to detail
- Be able to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Maintain awareness of multiple active transport missions at the same time
- Communicate clearly and work well as part of a team
Training & Compliance
- Must complete required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) crew resource management and flight emergency training
- Must comply with all Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS) standards for Communications Specialists
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Receive and coordinate requests for air and ground medical transport services
Use computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software to identify and assign the closest appropriate transport resource
Communicate with transport teams using radio and telephone systems
Monitor and track aircraft and ambulance missions from start to finish
Provide operational support throughout each mission to help ensure successful completion
Receive patient reports from EMS units transporting patients into the UF Health Shands system
Process emergency hospital activation requests, including:
Stroke alerts
STEMI alerts
Trauma alerts
Work closely with internal and external clinical teams during emergency situations
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Knowledge of medical terminology preferred
- Basic understanding of communication equipment, including telephones, radios, and recording systems
- Knowledge of navigational terms is helpful, but not required
- Preferred experience:
- At least 1 year of dispatch experience in an EMS, 911, or aviation environment, or
- At least 1 year of experience working in a 911 center or hospital setting
Vehicle Operation
- This position does not require operating a vehicle for work-related purposes
Required Certifications
Applicants must hold one of the following current certifications:
- Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification
- Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification
- Florida EMT-Basic certification
- Florida Paramedic certification
In addition, the following certification is required within 1 year of hire:
- International Association of Medical Transport Communication Specialists (IAMTCS) Certified Flight Communications Specialist certification
U
University of Florida Health Science Center