Telecommunication Operator
At Houston Methodist, the Telecommunication Operator position is responsible for the efficient operation and use of the switchboard and paging system to receive and relay calls or messages to the requested party or hospital area. This position assists patient, physicians, and staff with general information and monitors all hospital alarm systems and serves as a vital link in the communication process during emergencies. The Telecommunication Operator position handles emergency calls requiring a high degree of reliability, accuracy, flexibility, critical thinking skills in stressful situations. This position strives to make the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those served top priority and effectively communicates in a manner consistent with a customer service focus.
Houston Methodist Experience Expectations :
- Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values :
- Integrity : We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
- Compassion : We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
- Accountability : We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
- Respect : We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
- Excellence : We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
- Practices the Caring and Serving Model
- Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
- Provides for exceptional patient / customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
- Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients / customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience
- Involves patients (customers) in shift / handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job
- Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values
Responsibilities
Communicates pertinent information to co-workers to ensure proper handling and processing of calls when away from operator position.Responds positively and professionally to all calls and requests for information and assistance from patients, family members, physicians, and others.Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results and organizational results.Responds to incoming calls in a timely manner and directs caller to appropriate destination providing a smooth, clear, and professionally courteous communication practice.Responds quickly and accurately to disaster and emergency situations according to department protocol.Announces emergencies through the overhead paging systems and facilitates communication during emergencies and disaster plans as appropriate.Effectively utilizes telecommunications hardware and software including problem or failure diagnosis techniques.Stays up to date on organizational changes including policies and important initiatives.Meets department metrics (abandonment rates, productivity / activities per hour, etc).Utilizes department resources wisely and efficiently. Informs management when normal wear requires replacement.Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and sets priorities. Utilizes time effectively between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual improvement. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.Qualifications
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include : GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)One year customer service experienceDispatching experience preferredHealthcare experience preferredLicense / Certification
N / AKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsSufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or securityAbility to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principlesAbility to understand telecommunications equipment and services including call processing, paging, and audio monitoring systemsKnowledge of personal computer functions and Windows-based softwareAbility to understand and resolve problems and defuse situations with empathy and compassionExcellent telephone customer service and professional interpersonal skillsCompany Profile
Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened in 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 187-bed, 470,000-square-foot, full-service, acute care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also on the $380 million hospital campus, located at the intersection of I-45 and TX 242, is a medical office building, which opened in 2016. Medical Office Building 1 includes a breast care center, cancer center & infusion center, orthopedics & sports medicine, rehabilitation services, wellness services, and an outpatient laboratory in addition to multi-specialty physician practices. A second medical office building and 785-car parking garage opened in 2018.