Communication Dispatcher I

About the role

Tewksbury Hospital, under the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking applicants for the position of Communication Dispatcher I at our 370-bed Joint Commission accredited hospital campus. The hospital provides comprehensive treatment, care, and comfort to adults with medical and/or mental illnesses in a secure healthcare environment. This position plays an essential role in supporting hospital operations by coordinating communications, monitoring emergency systems, and ensuring timely dissemination of information throughout the campus.

Responsibilities

• Operate Cisco Switchboard and Cisco communications software; make public address (P.A.) system announcements.
• Transmit and receive messages from a radio communications base station.
• Coordinate radio communications to fixed stations, mobile units, and emergency response personnel.
• Contact appropriate sources of assistance during emergency situations, including severe weather conditions.
• Operate and train staff on communications equipment including voice terminals, power failure phones, alpha/numeric pagers, in-house pagers, cellular phones, and TDD devices.
• Monitor alarm systems including Fire Alarms, Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Yellow, Pharmacy, Blood Bank, Oxygen, Sump Pump, Water Tank, temperature alarms, door alarms, and other building systems.
• Check and test operating conditions of communications equipment, elevator phones, speaker systems, and ring-down lines.
• Report equipment malfunctions and coordinate repairs.
• Maintain detailed and accurate shift logs and documentation.
• Remain on duty until properly relieved.

Required Qualifications

• Effective communication skills and ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to make decisions and act quickly in urgent or high-pressure circumstances.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in customer service, administrative support, call center, security, healthcare, or public safety environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook (email management), Word (document preparation), Excel (data entry and basic spreadsheets), and Teams or similar communication platforms.
• Experience operating multi-line phone systems, switchboards, or computerized communication systems.
• Ability to accurately enter and retrieve information from databases or electronic record systems.
• Experience maintaining logs, tracking information, and generating basic reports.
• Familiarity with monitoring alarm systems, building systems, or security systems.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize incoming calls and messages, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong typing skills and general computer literacy.
• Experience working in a structured or regulated environment such as healthcare, education, or government.

Schedule

This position works 40 hours per week, evening shift 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM, with Sunday & Monday off.

Pay

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with internal compensation structure. The salary for this position is $45,178.64.

About Tewksbury Hospital

Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic.