Switchboard Operator

Switchboard Operator

 

PDHIS Switchboard

Vancouver, BC

 

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Under the supervision of the Manager, Switchboard Services or designate, the Switchboard Operator functions as the first point of contact to the public while operating a multi-line computerized hospital switchboard console, public address, and paging systems; accepts and directs calls from a variety of customers according to established policies, standards and procedures for multiple healthcare facilities of the Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Providence Health Care, while playing a significant role in ensuring that callers have a positive experience. The Switchboard Operator responds to various hospital alarms (including patient related code alarms) and carries out established emergency procedures. Performs routine updates to the switchboard directory and on call scheduling databases in accordance with established department guidelines utilizing database, word-processing, and spreadsheet software.

What you’ll do

Operates a multi-line computerized switchboard console by: Answering all calls, acknowledging the caller, listening attentively, and asking questions to clarify the caller’s inquiry; Transferring phone calls to appropriate locals, providing information, and responding to the caller’s needs in a promp and courteous manner; Responds to each hospital alarm (emergency and non-emergency) in a timely manner as per established guidelines. (ie: fire, arrest, medical stat call, bomb threat, elevator.) Operates Public Address system as per established guidelines. Operates paging system to page Doctors, Nurses and other on-call staff as required per established guidelines. Provides TTD service for hearing impaired customers by utilizing a Telecommunications device. Updates related switchboard databases and documents such as switchboard directory, and paging and on-call schedules by entering provided information as per established guidelines. Requests repairs on consoles, paging and related equipment according to established guidelines by methods such as contacting the Service Desk and/or their Team Lead. Participates in continuous quality improvement activities by performing duties such as attending meetings and providing input/feedback to the Manager, Switchboard Services, or designate, on opportunities for process improvement. Identifies and reports to the Manager, Switchboard Services, or designate, unusual trends or system conditions which require investigation such as an increase of unusual phone calls or error messages on the monitors. Reviews and updates the department communication log book according to established procedures by methods such as reading the log book at the start of a shift and entering the required information for an incident such as an abusive phone call. Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

 

Qualifications

Grade 12 and one (1) year's recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within PDHIS Switchboard contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety. Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

Ability to keyboard at 40 wpm. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to deal with others effectively. Ability to organize work. Ability to operate required equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees. Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources. Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement. PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position). Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

 

Job Type: Temporary, Full-time
FTE: 1.00

Wage: $27.56/ Hour
Location: St. Paul's Hospital - 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 0600-1400 Monday-Friday
Requisition #: 184812E

 

 

What we do

 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

 

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

 

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

 

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

 

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at internaljobs.phsa.ca

 

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of June 11, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

 

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.

Labor AgreementFacilities Subsector Requisition #184812E-2436128 Work SiteSt. Paul's Hospital - 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Job TypeTemporary, Full-Time Temporary DurationN/A Salary/Rate$27.56 / Hour FTE1.00 Hours of Work0600-1400 Work DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Expiry Date06-Sep-2025