Recommended Practice for Communications Specialist

The AMSAC highly recommends the following guidelines for Communications Specialist during the pre-hiring and post hiring phase.

1)      It is recommended that the communications specialist possess:        

a.       Professional demeanor at all times

b.      The ability to make critical decisions quickly and have the ability to multi-task

c.       Excellent communication skills both verbal and non-verbal

d.      Good customer service skills

2)      It is recommended that the communications specialist posses at the minimum of one of the following:

a.        EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch)

b.       EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)

c.       Some previous experience in emergency communications

3)      It is recommended that the training should be commensurate with the scope of responsibility for the communication specialist following the CAMTS guidelines for training to include the following topics:

a.         Medical terminology and obtaining patient information.

b.         Knowledge of EMS - roles and responsibilities of the various levels of training   BLS/ALS, EMT/ EMT-Paramedic.

c.         State and local regulations regarding EMS.

d.         Familiarization with equipment used in the field setting.

e.         Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and Federal Communications Commission regulations pertinent to medical transport service. (FAR part 91, FAR part 135)

f.          General safety rules and emergency procedures pertinent to medical                            transportation and flight following procedures.

g.         Navigation techniques/terminology, flight following and map skills. This should include an understanding of GPS navigation and approaches.

h.         Understanding weather interpretation and how to retrieve current and

Forecasted weather to assist the pilot during a transport.

i.          Types of radio frequency bands used in medical and ground EMS.

j.          Assistance with the hazardous materials response and recognition procedure using appropriate reference materials.

k.         Stress recognition and management to include resources for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing or other type of post critical incident counseling.

l.          Customer service/public relations/phone etiquette.

m.        Quality management.

n.         Crew Resource Management (CRM) pertinent to communications.

o.         Computer literacy and software training.

p.         Post Accident/Incident plan (PAIP).

q.         There is evidence of recurrent training.

r.          Familiarization of the geographical service area

4)      It is recommended that the communications specialist attend a communications-training course within the first 12 months of employment. For Example:

a.       NAACS Certified Flight Communicators training course or equivalent

b.      Attend communications tracks at AMTC

5)      It is recommended that the communications specialist observe a crew rest policy

a.       Minimum of 8 hours of time off following a 12 hr shift

b.      Minimum of 10 hours of time off following a 12 to 16 hour shift

c.       Maximum of 60 hours worked within a 7 day work week

d.      Communications Specialist should not work more than four days of consecutive 12 hour shifts

e.       Communicators should have the right to call “time out” and be granted a reasonable rest period.

6)      Is recommended that the communications specialist be knowledgeable in the programs daily risk assessment matrix.

a.   Advised of the risk assessment daily and if there are any changes

7)      It is recommended that all communications specialist participate in the programs:

a.        Safety and educational training

b.      Outreach events accompanying flight crews to discuss communication or call procedures.

8)      It is recommended that all communications specialist participate in an annual Stress Management Session.