Emergency Medical Transport Dispatcher - MEDCOM (EMT/Paramedic) (Wage)

These roles provide essential assistance to healthcare professionals in delivering patient care. Ensure the smooth functioning of clinical operations by handling tasks that support the diagnostic, therapeutic, and procedural aspects of patient care. Allied Health - Health Services professionals work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services.

Encompasses a range of roles focused on providing immediate care and response to medical emergencies, accidents, and life-threatening situations. These jobs are critical in stabilizing patients, providing urgent medical care, and ensuring safe transport to healthcare facilities.

This role serves as a critical operational lifeline within UVA Health’s emergency medical transport system. You will be responsible for the precise coordination of all air and ground transport activity, ensuring that critically ill and injured patients move safely, efficiently, and with full clinical oversight.

• Manage Air Traffic for Medical Flights
  Direct and monitor helicopter movements, maintain situational awareness with aviation partners, and ensure flight operations remain safe and compliant in rapidly shifting conditions.

• Coordinate Ground EMS Transport
  Deploy UVA Health’s ground units, synchronize incoming and outgoing patient transfers, and prioritize missions based on acuity, capacity, and clinical urgency.

• Provide Real-Time EMS Consultation
  Communicate directly with EMS providers in the field—supporting life‑sustaining decisions, clarifying clinical needs, and ensuring the receiving teams are fully prepared upon arrival.

• Control Critical Communications Channels
  Maintain continuous, accurate communication between flight crews, paramedics, referring hospitals, emergency departments, ICUs, and system‑wide leadership.

• Ensure Operational and Clinical Accuracy
  Track patient status, document mission details, and maintain oversight of all active transports to reduce risk and support safe transitions of care.

Every decision in this role has consequences. You are the central point of coordination for high‑risk, time‑sensitive missions involving unstable patients, limited resources, and rapidly evolving clinical conditions. Your judgment directly shapes patient outcomes.

Compensation starts at the base rates below.
Final offers are determined commensurate with education and experience.

• Emergency Communications Specialist 2 (EMT‑B): $18.00–$30.14/hr

• Emergency Communications Specialist 3 (AEMT/Paramedic): $18.00–$34.62/hr

The following role is not hired into directly and is available only through promotion based on experience, performance, and demonstrated competency.

• Emergency Communications Specialist 4 (AEMT/Paramedic – Promotional Only): $18.70–$37.48/hr

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 starting base rate for this role is $18.00 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.