Ambulance Communication Officer

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is a unique healthcare organization with three primary roles. It provides acute care services to North Bay and its surrounding communities, it is the district referral centre providing specialist services for smaller communities in the area, and it is the specialized mental health service provider serving all of northeast Ontario.

NBRHC has 401 beds and numerous outpatient and outreach services in North Bay and throughout the northeast region.

NBRHC is one of four major acute care hospitals serving northeast Ontario; the others being Sault Area Hospital, Timmins and District Hospital and Health Sciences North (Sudbury). The area is also served by small community hospitals like Mattawa and West Nipissing General hospitals.

NBRHC's Regional Mental Health Services provides inpatient beds in North Bay and Sudbury and outpatient and outreach services that throughout the region—from Hudson Bay to Muskoka from Sault Ste. Marie to the Quebec border.

A major teaching centre for students in medicine, psychiatry, nursing and allied health professions, NBRHC is proud to be affiliated with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Nipissing University, Canadore College and several other Ontario colleges and universities.

NBRHC is truly a caring place. Our staff and physicians maintain high standards and are flexible and innovative and ready to try new approaches that will improve patient care. Patients and their families repeatedly tell us that they appreciate the warm and skilful care they receive at NBRHC.

For further information visit our website at

1. In accordance with the Ambulance Act and other
   appropriate acts i.e. Fire Services Act, etc. and/or regulations or policies,
   and using both English and French, position performs dispatching duties which
   include but are not limited to the following by:

1. 1. receiving calls
      from the public, medical facilities and other agencies, eliciting patient
      information, determining status of patient or possible hazards, advising caller
      of pre-arrival of ambulance medical care; determining the method offered, land,
      air tiered response or other allied agencies;

   2. completing and
      recording all stages of and all information pertaining to calls in accordance
      with relevant acts, manuals and legislation including C.A.C.C. policies,
      procedures, guidelines, the EHS Manual of policies and procedures, the Mental Health Act, the Highway Traffic
      Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Ministry of Health directives
      and guidelines and other such related procedures;

   3. maintaining radio
      communications with ambulance crew(s) during course of call(s) and rendering
      assistance and direction as required e.g. dispatching additional ambulances or
      other resources and notifying hospitals as required;

   4. notifying the
      hospital of detailed medical information of patient as advised by ambulance
      crew and establishing telephone patch when necessary;

   5. ensuring
      continuity of ambulance service to all communities within the jurisdiction of
      the Dispatch Centre i.e. standbys, call back and liaison with other Dispatch
      Centres;

   6. ensuring emergency
      service is maintained at all times by proper co-ordination and distribution of
      calls;

   7. maintaining
      familiarization with area geographical references through continued review and
      using CACC aids for same;

   8. assisting and
      directing out-of-area ambulances when entering or leaving area of control in
      order to ensure optimum utilization of ambulance returning to home base;

   9. maintaining
      communications with other public services and allied agencies i.e. police and
      fire, other ministries, hydro, etc.;

   10. constantly monitoring
       radio communications;

   11. assisting with
       training and monitoring of new personnel as required;

   12. receiving air
       transfer information, monitoring flights, arranging for ambulance service and
       documenting all information;

   13. receiving,
       setting-up relay points and maintaining documentation of information as
       required;

   14. responding to a
       disaster situation as directed by C.A.C.C. Multi-Causality Incident Response
       and Planning Guidelines and the Provincial and Local C.A.C.C. Policy and
       Procedures Manual;

   15. consulting with outgoing
       dispatchers;

   16. checking
       availability and progress of vehicles by reviewing the status of each ambulance
       in the area of the dispatch control;

   17. confirming
       vehicle availability and progress by regularly reviewing the status;

   18. verifying tape
       recording equipment for sufficient tape time and operation;

   19. Checking
       telephones and radio communications equipment.

   20. Must demonstrate commitment to ensure their safety,
       the safety of fellow workers, patients, volunteers, and visitors.

   21. Must support and contribute to a culture of safety
       and prevention of adverse health events in this organization.

       Perform other
       related duties such as:
       
       

1. 1. where required
      provide dispatching duties to fire service and other agencies by receiving
      calls from the public and/or other agencies; eliciting information, determining
      the most appropriate response, dispatching according resources, monitoring and
      documenting the calls;

   2. Other duties as
      assigned.

• Qualifications as per the North Bay Central Ambulance
  Communication Centre Performance Agreement required:
  

  • Must be 18 years of age
    or older

  • Must hold OSSGD or
    equivalent

  • Must be able to read,
    write and speak English language fluently

  • Valid first aid
    certificate

  • Valid CPR certificate

• College Communications
  Course or Provincial Entry-to-Practice Training (ARISII) required

• Recent ACO experience
  preferred

• Strong organizational
  skills required

• Excellent communication
  skills, both verbal and written required

• Excellent interpersonal
  skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the health
  team required

• Demonstrated computer
  keyboarding proficiency (35 wpm/90% accuracy) required

• Ability to work with
  minimal supervision required

• Medical terminology is
  an asset

• Good attendance and
  work record required

• Must demonstrate
  commitment to ensure your safety, the safety of fellow workers, patients,
  volunteers and visitors

• Must support and
  contribute to a culture of safety and prevention of adverse health events in
  this organization

• Job offer conditional
  upon successful completion of Criticall dispatcher testing. (for further
  information visit )
  

• Bilingualism
  (English/French) is required (see note)*

  *NOTE:
  A formal French proficiency test will be done to evaluate the proficiency
  level. All non-bilingual qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as such
  applications will be considered in the event a fully qualified bilingual
  applicant is not selected for the position.

Criminal Reference
Check including the Vulnerable Sector Check: recent, within three (3) months is a requirement