Understanding the Role of Dispatchers in Emergency Medical Transportation

Even though calling 911 during a medical emergency sounds straightforward, it’s an overwhelming experience that can place the caller under a lot of stress. When the sheer urgency of the situation is combined with the fear and uncertainty that often accompany emergencies, callers will feel pressured to convey vital information accurately, which can be difficult to do when your thoughts are racing.

Fortunately, amidst all the chaos, emergency medical dispatchers are on the other end of the line helping callers stay calm and ensuring them that help is on the way.

Who Are Emergency Medical Dispatchers?

Emergency medical dispatchers do more than just answer emergency calls and ensure that emergency medical transportation is dispatched promptly and efficiently. They’re highly-trained professionals who are well-equipped to handle high-stress situations, serving as the life-saving link between individuals in distress and the timely arrival of medical assistance. They’re tasked to fulfill multifaceted roles that are instrumental in orchestrating effective emergency responses. These responsibilities include the following:

Assess and Prioritize Calls

Upon receiving a call, dispatchers use their training and established protocols to assess the nature and severity of the situation. This way, they can prioritize calls and allocate appropriate resources accordingly.

Coordinate Resources

Using the latest EMS technologies, like EMS dispatch software, emergency medical dispatchers coordinate communication and resources among various agencies and responders. This is to ensure that the right personnel and equipment are dispatched to the scene.

Provide Medical Instructions

To ensure that the person in distress has a high chance of survival, dispatchers guide callers to administer life-saving measures, such as CPR or first aid. These instructions can significantly impact patient outcomes while responders are enroute.

Collect Data and Document Information

While handling the call, emergency medical dispatchers collect detailed information about the incident, the location of the situation, the patient’s condition, and the actions taken are documented by dispatchers. This documentation becomes essential for further medical treatment and analysis.

Due to their roles and responsibilities, emergency medical dispatchers play a crucial part in dispatching emergency medical transportation. Their expertise ensures that the appropriate level of response is dispatched to the scene, matching the urgency and nature of the medical situation, and delivering swift and effective assistance to anyone.

What Does It Take to be an Emergency Medical Dispatcher?

In a study published in the Prehospital Emergency Care journal, EMS is directly compared to other health care systems, in which the quality of its services should be given priority from a top down perspective. This includes the hiring of highly qualified individuals to serve as dispatchers that can run the system.

Becoming an emergency medical dispatcher requires a unique combination of qualifications, training, and skills to effectively handle high-stress situations and ensure the seamless coordination of emergency medical transportation. As such, individuals aspiring to take on this critical role must meet certain qualifications and undergo a rigorous process of preparation that equips them with the necessary knowledge and attributes.

Education

Individuals who hold a high school diploma or anything equivalent to it can apply for an emergency medical dispatch position. Although having a college degree isn’t always a strict requirement, emergency medical dispatcher applicants who have completed post-secondary coursework related to emergency medical services, communications, or public safety have a higher chance of being selected from the pool of candidates.

Training

Candidates must complete specialized training programs to ensure that they’re well-versed in delivering accurate medical instructions and coordinating emergency responses. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including medical protocols, communication techniques, call handling, and legal considerations.

Certification and License

Having the right certifications and license demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency in emergency medical dispatching and adherence to established standards. Some of the most common emergency medical dispatcher certifications include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), and Equipment Management Specialist (EMS).

What Qualities Do Effective Emergency Medical Dispatchers Possess?

Completing the necessary emergency medical dispatcher training programs and certification courses only make half of a good emergency medical dispatcher. For a dispatcher to truly be an effective component of a medical emergency response team, they also need to possess the following qualities to ensure that every emergency is handled properly:

• A Good Communicator. Dispatchers can listen actively, extract relevant information, and convey instructions clearly and calmly to callers.
• Can Stay Calm Under Pressure. Emergency medical dispatchers can remain calm, composed, and focused under pressure in fast-paced, high-stress environments to ensure that they’re making informed decisions and providing reassurance to callers.
• Is Empathetic and Compassionate. Effective dispatchers offer emotional support to comfort callers in times of distress.
• Maintains Ethical Conduct. Even though dispatchers handle sensitive information, they remain professional and adhere to ethical standards and privacy regulations.
• Critical Thinking Skills. Dispatchers can think on their feet to correctly assess information and prioritize calls and allocate resources appropriately.
• Geographical Knowledge. Familiarity with the region’s geography is crucial for accurately pinpointing locations and dispatching resources efficiently.
• A Great Multitasker. Strong multitasking abilities are vital for managing the flow of information effectively since dispatchers handle multiple calls, communication channels, and tasks simultaneously.
• Technical Proficiency. Dispatchers need to be proficient in technology to ensure that they’re using their computer-aided dispatch systems, mapping tools, and communication devices to their fullest.
• Is a Team Player. Dispatchers must be able to work closely with responders, agencies, and colleagues to ensure seamless communication and coordination.

In the United States, approximately 240 million 911 calls are made each year. That’s around 657, 534 calls per day. Every call is handled by an emergency medical dispatcher who’s dedicated to providing comfort and reassurance to the caller, as well as guiding them to administer life-saving measures to the person in distress. Their role in improving positive health outcomes cannot be understated, as some models in a study support the direct association between the number of EMS personnel and the decrease of overall mortality in the US population.

While this is happening, dispatchers collect information about the situation and send an ambulance to the caller’s location. Thanks to their caring personality, quick-thinking, and in-depth knowledge of their profession, emergency medical dispatchers are undoubtedly one of the world’s everyday heroes.