The Communications Operator receives and transfers telephone calls using Lakeside Medical Center’s switchboard telephone console. The employee provides prompt service and response to incoming calls from all patients, physicians, hospital staff and all outside agencies including the community. The employee is responsible for monitoring all emergency panels and announcing the emergency code using the telephone console and/or the fire panel microphone according to the respective Emergency Code procedure.

Essential Functions:

• Assists all patients, family members, physicians, visitors, vendors and employees in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
• Supports the hospital’s mission, vision and values by presenting a positive and polite manner and offering assistance to all customers.
• Answers all incoming calls received at the hospital telephone console. Route communications to the appropriate personnel or patient room.
• Makes outgoing calls as requested by patients, other departments and doctors.
• Runs the daily Census report. Confirms that patients are assigned to the correct bed accommodation code. Where discrepancies are noted, refers to the physician’s order. Provides security with a copy of the Guard Census, as requested.
• Updates status changes in the computer system on all in-house patients as indicated and/or directed by the physician orders or via nursing notification per orders.
• Assists Emergency Room Registrars by registering emergency room patients as needed.
• Performs admissions as received for OB and/or from the Emergency Room.
• Responsible for electronically submitting the payer notification for inpatient, observation, and/or outpatient Obstetrics admissions according to the primary and/or secondary payer’s notification requirement.
• Operates as second person to access the hospital’s safe. Completes the Safe Log report whenever safe is accessed.
• Maintains an adequate inventory of supplies. Orders additional supplies as needed in accordance with the Hospital and department’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains copies of physicians, Radiology, Anesthesiologist, Pediatric, Emergency Room physician, Residents, Plant Services on-call schedules, and LMC’s Emergency Tree phone numbers.
• Assists all departments, physicians and staff members by paging, beeping and phoning as requested.
• Maintains complete knowledge and understanding of the hospital’s policies and procedures for the implementation and process to carry out Code Red, Code Blue, Code Yellow, Code A, Code Green ER, Code Brown, Code Pink, Code Orange and Code Purple, Code M, Code Weather Alert of Watch, Code Dr. Armstrong, Cardiac Alert, Rapid Response Team, Hurricane Code and Security Stat Code.
• Performs public address announcements via the hospital PA system as requested.
• Enters Departmental Late charges (Charge Entry).
• Adheres to and follows all hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Applies the hospital’s principles of safety in all work practices. Reports any identified safety risks or incidents per the hospital’s policies and procedures.
• Seeks opportunities to participate in work teams and departmental special projects.
• Maintains a neat, orderly and safe work area.
• Follows all infection control and employee health policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times according to the hospital’s established policies and procedures.
• Attends and participates in department staff meetings.
• Attends mandatory department and hospital in-service training sessions.
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent that includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to threats or disasters, man-made or natural.

Education: 

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience: 

• Minimum of two (2) years related experience preferred.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.