Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher - MEDCOM - Wage
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University of Virginia
VA
Summary
The dispatcher coordinates emergency and non-emergency medical transport requests across the health system while applying clinical knowledge to prioritize patient acuity. They are responsible for documenting transport activities in real-time and maintaining clear communication with EMS crews and hospital teams.
Job Description
When seconds matter and coordination saves lives, MEDCOM is the nerve center that keeps care moving. As an Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher at UVA Health, your clinical background and operational judgment directly support safe, timely patient movement across one of Virginia’s most advanced academic health systems.
This is a role for experienced EMTs and Paramedics who want to extend their impact beyond the field, applying clinical insight, calm decision making, and system level thinking in a high reliability command environment.
The Role
MEDCOM serves as the centralized hub for emergency and nonemergency medical transport coordination across UVA Health. As a dispatcher, you translate clinical urgency into precise action, ensuring the right resources move at the right time for the right patient.
Your work blends clinical awareness with operational control and includes:
• Coordinating medical transport requests across inpatient, emergency, and specialty services for multiple hospitals.
• Applying EMT or Paramedic clinical knowledge to prioritize transport needs and assess acuity
• Communicating clearly and professionally with EMS crews, hospital teams, and external partners
• Managing multiple requests simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and situational awareness
• Documenting transport activity and decisions in real time using established systems and protocols
• Supporting patient safety through effective handoffs, escalation, and problem resolution
What an average day looks like
You will work in a fast paced communications center where conditions shift quickly. Calls vary from routine transfers to time sensitive; high acuity movements requiring decisive coordination. The pace is steady, the expectations are high, and the impact of your decisions is immediate and measurable across the care continuum.
This role rewards professionals who remain composed under pressure, think several steps ahead, and understand how operational excellence supports clinical outcomes.
Why UVA Health
UVA Health is a nationally recognized academic medical center where complex care demands seamless coordination behind the scenes. MEDCOM plays a strategically vital role in ensuring patients receive the right level of care at the right location, without delay.
Why do experienced EMS professionals choose UVA Health for this work:
• Practice within a large, integrated health system that includes a Level I Trauma Center and highly specialized inpatient services
• Be part of a mission driven organization committed to patient safety, reliability, and clinical excellence
• Work in a role where EMS expertise is respected and essential, not secondary
• Gain exposure to systemwide operations that broaden career pathways beyond traditional field roles
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams who rely on MEDCOM as a trusted operational partner
Additional highlights include:
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• A stable, professional environment designed for long-term career sustainability
• The opportunity to influence care delivery at a systems level while remaining clinically connected
This position is critical to UVA Health’s ability to move patients safely and efficiently across a complex care network.
This role performs operational work that supports emergency communications and response activities. Responsibilities include handling incoming information, documenting details accurately, and following established procedures to support response coordination.
Work is performed under general supervision and involves routine tasks that follow defined workflows. The role may require interpreting standard procedures and making minor adjustments when necessary to address variations in situations.
The position communicates information clearly to internal teams and external contacts as needed. Tasks are completed in accordance with established timelines and service expectations to support the overall effectiveness of emergency operations.
Typical Essential Functions:
- Receives and documents incoming communication accurately and in a timely manner
- Follows established procedures to support coordination of emergency response activities
- Communicates information clearly to appropriate personnel and external contacts
- Completes routine tasks in alignment with defined workflows and service expectations
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education: High School Graduate or Equivalent required.
Experience: Previous experience in emergency response or emergency communications. Successfully completion of on the job training will be required. In lieu of EMT certification, Five years experience of dispatching in 911or an emergency communications center.
Licensure: Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the Commonwealth of Virginia required within one year of hire required. AHA Health Care Provider BLS CPR certification required. Must obtain Advanced EMT certification or higher within four years of hire.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, frequently typing/traveling and multi-tasking activities. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull > 20lbs. May be exposed to fumes, heat, noise, High-stress environment and environment prone to high-capacity sensory stimulation.
The pay range for this role is $18.00 - $30.14 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
UVA Physicians Group (UPG) was founded in 1979 as a supportive partner to UVA Medical Center and UVA School of Medicine. For over 40 years, UPG has been committed to improving the lives of UVA Health physicians & providers and to the mission, vision and values of UVA Health in service to our patients throughout the region.
UPG is an administratively supported group practice which operates as a collaborative UVA Health entity supporting UVA Health physicians & providers at UVA Medical Center and in a number of Clinical Practice Group (CPG) locations throughout Charlottesville and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Over 900 UVA clinical faculty members are dually employed through UPG and UVA School of Medicine's 21 clinical departments. UPG also employs nearly 200 advanced practice providers and other clinicians within UVA clinical departments, and approximately 150 physicians, advanced practice providers & clinicians in practices locally and regionally.
In addition to its clinical role in supporting the University’s mission to deliver world-class patient care, UPG provides administrative and financial functions that support care delivery and clinical management. Approximately 400 UPG team members fulfill these administrative and financial roles in Charlottesville locations and in clinics across the Commonwealth.
UPG is an independent 501(c)3 University Associated Organization (UAO) and is governed by its own Board of Directors with a public majority.
Founded
1979
Company size
501-1,000 employees
Industry
Education
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Charlottesville, VA
UVA Physicians Group (UPG) was founded in 1979 as a supportive partner to UVA Medical Center and UVA School of Medicine. For over 40 years, UPG has been committed to improving the lives of UVA Health physicians & providers and to the mission, vision and values of UVA Health in service to our patients throughout the region.
UPG is an administratively supported group practice which operates as a collaborative UVA Health entity supporting UVA Health physicians & providers at UVA Medical Center and in a number of Clinical Practice Group (CPG) locations throughout Charlottesville and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Over 900 UVA clinical faculty members are dually employed through UPG and UVA School of Medicine's 21 clinical departments. UPG also employs nearly 200 advanced practice providers and other clinicians within UVA clinical departments, and approximately 150 physicians, advanced practice providers & clinicians in practices locally and regionally.
In addition to its clinical role in supporting the University’s mission to deliver world-class patient care, UPG provides administrative and financial functions that support care delivery and clinical management. Approximately 400 UPG team members fulfill these administrative and financial roles in Charlottesville locations and in clinics across the Commonwealth.
UPG is an independent 501(c)3 University Associated Organization (UAO) and is governed by its own Board of Directors with a public majority.
Founded
1979
Company size
501-1,000 employees
Industry
Education
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Charlottesville, VA