MEDCOM Communications Specialist

Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher

MEDCOM | EMT or Paramedic

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.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville offers a rare combination of professional opportunity and quality of life. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area provides easy access to hiking, cycling, and outdoor recreation alongside a vibrant food, arts, and music scene. The community is welcoming, the cost of living is more approachable than larger metro regions, and the pace of life supports balance for healthcare professionals and their families. For those relocating from busier markets or demanding field roles, Charlottesville offers room to breathe without stepping away from meaningful, high impact work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma/GED required
• Experience: Communications center experience and/or basic dispatcher course/dispatch experience preferred.
• Licensure/Certifications: Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the Commonwealth of Virginia required. AHA Health Care Provider BLS CPR certification required.

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.

Onboarding Requirements

Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. All safety-sensitive positions with direct patient interaction also require a drug screen.

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.

Job Profile
J1207 - Emergency Communications Specialist 2

Career Stream and Level
Operations and Service-O2

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 .