Flight Communications Specialist

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

About the role

The Flight Communication Specialist is responsible for notifying the pilot and flight team when transport has been requested; flight follows with each aircraft and relays information to the flight team during helicopter and/or fixed wing transport; coordinates communications among flight team, hospital, scene and hangar. The Communication Specialist is able to adapt to a rapidly changing high stress environment while multi-tasking in a timely manner. The Flight Communications Center is a 24-hour operation.

Responsibilities

• Monitors cameras at each air medical base and the VUH and Monroe Carell Jr. helipads.
• Monitors flight route, weather, ETE, maps, scene location by longitude and latitude, etc.
• Prioritize and disseminate accurate and pertinent information such as wind advisories and triaging helipads, to appropriate teams while keeping the safety of the crews and aircraft a top priority.
• Communicates by radio with flight crews to follow flight progress and position of each aircraft.
• Documents flight communications in dispatching software with accurate data entry.
• Notifies all involved agencies to coordinate air transport.
• Answers incoming telephone calls on a multi-line telephone system, radio communications system.
• Contact other flight services if aircraft is unavailable to transport patients.
• Coordinate when other flight services bring patients.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills and have the ability to function calmly in a high-pressure situation, think clearly and logically, and make problem-solving decisions based on information given.
• Responsible for assimilating various forms of information to make quality decisions while performing a wide range of specialized functions and complex communication services (e.g., requests for transport, assessment and triage of multiple incoming requests for transport, and radio communications with all airborne aircraft) for all transport modalities.
• Maintain effective and comprehensive communication with crew members (medical and aviation) and aircraft utilizing a complex, statewide, multi-channeled radio system.
• Perform constant flight following procedures with all aircraft during missions according to FAA and Vanderbilt LifeFlight policies.
• Accurately documents appropriate and detailed medical information pertaining to patient condition and all aspects of transport activity, which becomes a legal document.
• Coordinates the details of medical transports by working with the aviation, medical and communications departments in conjunction with the requesting agency and other appropriate resources.
• Accurately inputs all flight transport information into the network database with special regard to FAA Part 135 and Vanderbilt LifeFlight policies and procedures.
• Maintains a working knowledge of FAA rules and regulations (pertaining to Part 135) and remains current and complies with all policies and procedures.
• Implements proper procedures for notification of administration personnel and/or appropriate agencies in the event of incidents, accidents, or emergency situations involving personnel according to established policies and procedures.
• Educate callers as to all aspects of services associated with air medical transport, (i.e., aircraft, medical crew, ground ambulance arrangements, etc.)
• Assist Coding & Billing with follow-up on accounts as needed.
• Receive incoming requests for transfer center support to include identification of receiving hospital, accepting physicians, etc.
• Coordinate all aspects of transfer center transports.
• Maintain various statistical databases, spreadsheets, etc., for month-end reports, business development review, marketing analysis, etc.

Requirements

• Certified Flight Communicator - CommLink
• LIC-Emergency Medical Technicians Basic - Licensure-Others
• High School Diploma or GED
• Less than 1 year of relevant work experience

Schedule

This position works 12-hour shifts (6a-6p or 6p-6a) and may vary based on staffing needs.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.