📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Communications Officer
🔹 Company: Lexington Medical Center
🔹 Location: West Columbia, South Carolina
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site
🔹 Category: Public Safety & Security
🔹 Date Posted: April 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-Site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Handling and documenting calls for service
- Dispatching appropriate personnel
- Monitoring alarms, cameras, and access doors
- Ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely information dissemination
- Providing excellent customer service and maintaining compliance
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Dispatching: Dispatch appropriate personnel to organization calls for service, ensuring timely response and resolution.
✅ Monitoring: Monitor all organizational cameras, access control doors, and alarms, ensuring safety and security.
✅ Documentation: Document all calls for service completely and accurately, maintaining up-to-date records.
✅ Tracking: Maintain accurate tracking information, such as patient assist, vehicle service, and response time.
✅ Video Review: Handle requests for video review, assisting in investigations and incident resolution.
✅ Equipment Maintenance: Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate personnel/vendor, ensuring timely repair and maintenance.
✅ Access Control: Assume select access control duties after hours, such as basic troubleshooting and printing badges.
✅ Investigations: Prepare written reports of investigation based on personal actions, accessing NCIC and SCDMV databases for investigative purposes.
✅ Compliance: Ensure operation compliance with Federal, State, County, Organization, and Department standards.
✅ Information Dissemination: Ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to supervision.
✅ Request Resolution: Ensure timely resolution to requests, providing excellent customer service.
✅ Other Duties: Perform any other duties assigned by management, as needed.
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working in shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Experience: 1 Year of communication, law enforcement/public safety, or related experience such as military service
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- Proficiency in Windows Operating System (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
- Knowledge of NCIC and SCDMV databases
- Ability to obtain and maintain NCIC certification
- Valid South Carolina driver's license with acceptable Motor Vehicle record
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience in law enforcement, public safety, or a related field
- Bilingual or multilingual proficiency
ASSUMPTION: Previous experience in law enforcement, public safety, or a related field is highly desirable but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $30,000 - $35,000 per year (Estimated, based on industry standards for entry-level public safety roles in South Carolina)
Benefits:
- Day ONE medical, dental, and life insurance benefits
- Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- 403(b) match plan with employer matching dollar for dollar up to 6%
- Employer-paid life insurance (equal to 1x salary)
- Employee-paid supplemental life insurance (up to 3x salary)
- Adoption assistance
- Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage (after 90 days of eligible employment)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student loan forgiveness
Working Hours: 60 hours per week, with shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level public safety roles in South Carolina. Actual salary may vary based on experience, skills, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Lexington Medical Center is a non-profit hospital and healthcare network, providing quality health services that meet the needs of its communities.
Company Size: Lexington Medical Center employs more than 8,700 healthcare professionals and has a network of six community medical centers, making it a large employer in the region.
Founded: Lexington Medical Center was founded in 1971 and has since grown to become a leading healthcare provider in South Carolina.
Company Description:
- Consistently named the best hospital in the Columbia metro area by U.S. News & World Report
- First hospital in South Carolina to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care
- Offers a wide range of medical services, including a cardiovascular program recognized as South Carolina’s first HeartCARE CenterTM and an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence
Company Specialties:
- Heart Center
- Women's Services
- Cancer Center
- Orthopaedics
- Birth Center
- Family Medicine
- Urgent Care
- General Surgery
- Alzheimer's Care
- Occupational Health
- Weight-Loss Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Health and Wellness
Company Website: Lexington Medical Center
ASSUMPTION: Lexington Medical Center is committed to providing quality health services that meet the needs of its community, with a focus on excellence in nursing care and a wide range of medical services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
Reporting Structure: The Communications Officer will report directly to the LCHSD Police Department.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position with shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement within the LCHSD Police Department or other departments within Lexington Medical Center
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Potential to specialize in specific areas, such as investigations or management
ASSUMPTION: Growth opportunities within Lexington Medical Center may be available based on performance, experience, and organizational needs.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed
Office Location(s): 2720 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, South Carolina 29169, US
Geographic Context:
- West Columbia is a city in Lexington County, South Carolina, located near the state capital of Columbia
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a cost of living that is generally lower than the national average
- West Columbia is home to a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and technology
Work Schedule: 60 hours per week, with shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment for this role may be fast-paced and demanding, with a focus on maintaining safety and security within the organization.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Background check and reference verification
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- Problem-solving skills
- Customer service orientation
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills, such as communication, dispatching, monitoring, and record-keeping
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your ability to handle calls for service, maintain accurate records, and provide excellent customer service
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the organization and its mission to provide quality health services that meet the needs of the community
ATS Keywords: Communication, Dispatch, Monitor, Document, Record, Customer Service, Public Safety, Security, Alarm, Camera, Access Control, Investigation, Compliance, Information Dissemination, Request Resolution
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may be competitive, and applicants should highlight their relevant experience and skills to increase their chances of success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Windows Operating System (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
- NCIC and SCDMV databases
- Dispatching and monitoring software
- Access control systems
- Video surveillance systems
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, and applicants should highlight any relevant experience or training.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Stewardship
Work Style:
- Team-oriented
- Results-driven
- Adaptable
- Detail-oriented
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you handle high-pressure situations, such as receiving and documenting multiple calls for service simultaneously?
- How do you ensure accurate and timely information dissemination to supervision, while also maintaining compliance with relevant standards and regulations?
- How do you balance the need for thoroughness in record-keeping with the need for timely resolution of requests?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Lexington Medical Center's values and work style, as well as their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed
- Handling high-pressure situations, such as receiving and documenting multiple calls for service simultaneously
- Ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination to supervision, while also maintaining compliance with relevant standards and regulations
- Balancing the need for thoroughness in record-keeping with the need for timely resolution of requests
- Adapting to changes in procedures, policies, or technology
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be aware of the potential challenges associated with this role and be prepared to address them effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Communications Officer vs. Dispatcher: Both roles involve handling calls for service and dispatching appropriate personnel. However, the Communications Officer role may have additional responsibilities, such as monitoring alarms, cameras, and access doors, and may require a higher level of detail-orientedness and record-keeping.
- Industry-specific context: The healthcare industry has unique challenges and requirements, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
- Career path comparison: The Communications Officer role may serve as a stepping stone to other roles within the LCHSD Police Department or other departments within Lexington Medical Center, such as investigations, management, or specialized positions.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of the Communications Officer role and how it compares to similar roles in other industries or organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new system for tracking and documenting calls for service, improving efficiency and accuracy
- Conducting a comprehensive review of access control systems and procedures, and recommending improvements to enhance security and compliance
- Creating and delivering training sessions for new hires or existing staff on relevant tools, technologies, or procedures
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to provide examples of relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate their skills and qualifications for the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
- How does this role fit into the overall structure and goals of the LCHSD Police Department and Lexington Medical Center?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the organization?
- How does the organization support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful, relevant questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and organization, as well as their ability to succeed in the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Lexington Medical Center careers website
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills, such as communication, dispatching, monitoring, and record-keeping
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your ability to handle calls for service, maintain accurate records, and provide excellent customer service
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the organization and its mission to provide quality health services that meet the needs of the community
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
