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Switchboard Coordinator
Career Insights for Switchboard / Telephone Operator
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Scorecard
Based on Illinois data
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What they do
A Switchboard or Telephone Operator works for a telephone company or system to operate telephone system equipment to route incoming calls, direct internal calls, or assist customers with placing calls. Assists with connecting long distance or collect calls, or provides customers with assistance in finding a phone number or an address. May also answer customer calls at a company or organization or work for an agency that handles and routes emergency calls.
$40,305 / year median in Illinois
-15% projected decline
Job Description
Department:
11597 Advocate Sherman Hospital -Switchboard Status:
Full timeBenefits Eligible:
Yes Hou rsPer Week:
40Schedule Details/Additional Information:
Schedule will vary.Pay Range:
$19.80 - $29.70Major Responsibilities:
Assists manager with operational duties, performance improvement and/or process design activities. 1)Provides one on one direction in regards to departmental updates, alterations to work flow, written consults, etc. in order to maintain a high accuracy level 2)Compiles daily and monthly statistics including individual operator statistics as well as department statistics as needed 3)Notifies manager of any disciplinary problems involving communication operators 4)Acts as a trouble shooter to alleviate problems with disgruntled physicians, patients, other departments in relation to communications department 5)Reviews and approves time cards in ReportXpress system 6)Monitors departmental scheduling including vacation requests/PTO approval; as well as, breaks & lunch schedules 7)Oversees monthly operator audits both written and over-the-phone, providing immediate feedback and direction to individual operators 8)Maintains answering service account information up-to-date on a regular basis by keeping good communication with each office manager Responsible for answering incoming calls (both internal and external) and process to appropriate department, patient room or person. 1)Provides general information to callers, the general public and hospital personnel needing assistance (i.e. phone numbers, appropriate departments, locations and meetings, etc.) 2)Places long distance calls for hospital approved personnel and local calls which cannot be dialed from areas that are restricted for outgoing calls 3)Responds to all alarms (i.e. Code Red, Code Triage, Code Blue, etc.) for fire and disasters as appropriate 4)Communicates to Public Safety, Emergency Room, Building Operations and other areas when there are emergency situations in the hospital 5)Learn, comply with and support the policies, procedures, standards and expectations for the department and hospital Responsible for operating the page system in house and long range for the medical staff, house staff and hospital personnel, both pager and overhead. 1)Process page requests on the digital and voice pagers 2)Programs pager requests using telecommunications software 3)Process all emergency pages for the code teams 4)Provides reports of the long range pages or overhead calls regarding emergencies, codes, alarms and requested documentation as needed 5)Provides department and nursing stations with information from on call schedules, pager numbers and physician's office numbers 6)Announces overhead page system codes and their location Utilize department computers and various computer applications to obtain information, provide information to internal and external customers, and maintain information in computer data bases. 1)Obtain and disseminate hospital information from computer applications for customers (internal/external) 2)Update computer bases as information changes to assure that customers obtain the most accurate information 3)Perform clerical duties/data entry as directed by department manager. (Microsoft Office, AMCOM, American Messaging, Everbridge) Performs duties as assigned by department manager or director. 1)Performs tasks based on need of department (work group assigned tasks) 2)Performs basic repairs, investigates reported problems, attends assigned education activities, etc. 3)Performs any other tasks as assigned by manager or director Assists manager with operational duties, performance improvement and/or process design activities. (Accountability A continued...) 1)Supports and develops departmental goals and vision 2)Acts as a role model to fellow associates using the Advocate Behaviors of Excellence as a guide 3)Supports and enforces hospital and departmental policies and procedures 4)Acts as point person for problems or inquiring dealing from other hospital departments 5)Performs job duties in such a manner that patients waiting/answering incoming call times do not exceed the established standard 6)Assures customers confidential information is handled according to established guidelines, policies and procedures 7)Maintains professional composure and demeanor under stressful situations at all times 8)Exceeds service expectations in problem solving, trouble-shooting or obtaining needed information for customers 9)Promotes customer service standards and expectations within the department of communications and serve as role models for fellow associates 10)Call instances of excellence or non-compliance to the attention of the appropriate supervisor or department head Assists manager with operational duties, performance improvement and/or process design activities. (Accountability B continued...) 1)Promotes increased utilization of ASH services by maintaining customer-focused behavior and responses to all customers 2)Promotes patient safety be reporting of issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives 3)Fills in as an operator on the switchboard to cover vacations, illnesses, midnight call-ins, etc.Education/Experience Required:
- High school diploma +
- 4-5 years experience in customer service in a healthcare setting.
- 2 years previous lead/coordinator experience or demonstrated leader potential
- At least 6 mos. - 1 year PBX experience
- 1-2 years PBS software experience
- 1-2 years call center experience
- Knowledge of medical terminology preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent ability to work within a team setting
- Proficient computer skills including spreadsheets, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Detailed oriented.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to delegate assignments efficiently.
- Ability to act in a lead capacity
- Accurate typing of 50+ wpm preferred
- Bilingual preferred.
N/A Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- The candidate must be highly customer service orientated.
- Must be able to work effectively as a team member
- Must be able to work under very stressful situations, handle difficult people, etc.
- Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate staffing needs.
- Ability to work weekends, holidays and different shifts in order to accommodate staffing needs, is required.
- Ability to direct and make decisions regarding peer group.
- High degree of one-on-one contact with patients, physicians, all levels of Advocate Sherman Hosptial, other Advocate facilities, and any health related facility as deemed necessary.