Telephone Operator

Telephone Operator

Southern Cancer Center - Providence Hospital Location

Southern Cancer Center is seeking a courteous and dependable Telephone Operator to join our team at our Providence Hospital location. This role is often the first point of contact for our patients and plays a critical role in supporting patient care by ensuring timely, accurate communication between patients and our medical staff.

Under direct supervision, the Telephone Operator provides a full range of switchboard and call-handling services, assists with clerical tasks as needed, and serves as a liaison between patients and clinical teams. The position supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, including the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Answer all incoming calls promptly, courteously, and efficiently.
• Accurately triage calls and connect callers to the appropriate extension or department.
• Take, document, and relay messages in a timely and professional manner.
• Respond to emergency and urgent patient calls and immediately direct them to clinical staff when necessary.
• Perform switchboard functions including:
• Transferring and connecting calls
• Setting up conference calls
• Providing instructions on telephone procedures
• Reporting telephone or equipment malfunctions to the appropriate party
• Maintain a pleasant, helpful, and professional phone presence at all times.
• Open and close the telephone switchboard as assigned.
• Operate and manage the in-house paging system.
• Perform clerical and administrative duties as assigned to support departmental workflow.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Entry-level position requiring 0-3 years of experience, preferably in a medical or healthcare setting.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in high-volume or urgent situations.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Occasional stooping, bending, or stretching for files and supplies.
• Occasional lifting of files or materials up to 30 pounds.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a telephone, keyboard, copier, calculator, and other office equipment.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 and hearing within normal range for telephone communication.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

• Office-based work environment.
• Frequent interaction with patients, families, and the public.
• High volume of incoming calls requiring attention to detail and professionalism.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.