Central Communications Operator

Based in a centralized department, the Operators manage critical tasks such as initiating and tracking emergency alerts—including security, facility, and medical incidents—making overhead announcements, activating paging groups, and coordinating rapid responses with on-call providers and specialized teams. They also handle internal communications by navigating complex on-call schedules, managing escalations, and facilitating urgent communications across clinical and administrative areas. In addition, providing external customer service to all hospital and free-standing main phone numbers as a hub for Sentara Directory support. This job supports a department that is in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly between emergency and non-emergency calls, and agility is key to staying ahead. We’re constantly adapting, solving problems on the fly, and pushing forward with urgency and precision. 

Key Responsibilities 

Initiate and track emergency alerts—including security, facility, and medical incidents—to ensure timely, accurate notification and documentation across the health system.  

Execute overhead announcements and activate paging groups to disseminate critical information rapidly and coordinate immediate response actions.  

Coordinate rapid responses with oncall providers and specialized teams, serving as the central hub for incident escalation and resolution during emergent events.  

Navigate complex oncall schedules and manage escalations to facilitate urgent communications across clinical and administrative areas.  

Deliver external customer service for hospital and freestanding main phone numbers, acting as a hub for Sentara Directory support and accurate call routing.  

Prioritize and triage a high volume of emergency and nonemergency calls in a fastpaced, 24/7/365 environment, maintaining agility, urgency, and precision.  

Maintain diligent records and compliance with communication protocols, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy, and adherence to operational standards during all interactions.  

Hours:  

Position requires 24/7/365 operation with an on-call component and holiday rotation.  

Preferred:   

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately  

Knowledge of emergency codes and hospital incident command systems  

Proficiency with multi-line phone systems, paging systems and emergency notification platforms  

Experience with electronic health record systems and call management software.  

Ability to troubleshoot communication equipment under pressure.  

High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation  

Additional Job Description

Additional Job Description

Overview 

Sentara Health is hiring a Central Communications Operators

Sign on bonus of up to $5000 for eligible candidates

This position is on-site in Harrisonburg or Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Position Status: Full-time First , second and third shift opportunities.

Position Location: Rockingham Atrium – Harrisonburg, VA / Sentara Independence – Virginia Beach, VA

Standard Working Hours:

First Shift -6:00 AM - 4:30 PM / 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM /9:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Third Shift: 9:00 PM – 7:30 AM ; 11PM-7:30 AM / 9:30 PM - 6:00 AM

Rotating weekends required. Must work 3 holidays.

Central Communications Operators play a critical role in ensuring seamless, timely communication across Sentara hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, and afterhours call services. Operating within a centralized, 24/7 environment, this role serves as the primary hub for emergency and nonemergency communications—supporting rapid response coordination, internal escalation, and exceptional customer service. Success in this role requires the ability to stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and communicate with urgency and precision during high impact situations. 

Education 

High School Diploma or equivalent (Required) 
 

Certification/Licensure 

No specific certification or licensure required at time of hire 
 

Experience 

2 years of experience in a high-volume, fast-paced communications, call center, or service operations environment, such as healthcare, emergency services, telecommunications, public safety, or centralized customer support (Required) 

The ideal candidate will possess the following  (Preferred):   

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately  

Knowledge of emergency codes and hospital incident command systems  

Proficiency with multi-line phone systems, paging systems and emergency notification platforms  

Experience with electronic health record systems and call management software 

Ability to troubleshoot communication equipment under pressure.  

High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation