Public Safety Telecommunicator Onboarding Process
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Public Safety Telecommunicator starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Emergency Services onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Public Safety Telecommunicator, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Public Safety Telecommunicator onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
Public Safety Telecommunicator Onboarding Checklist
1. Orientation: The new Public Safety Telecommunicator attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s policies, procedures, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated trainer.
2. Introduction to Emergency Services: The new telecommunicator receives an overview of the emergency services industry, including the role of telecommunicators in emergency response, the types of emergencies they may encounter, and the importance of effective communication during critical situations. This task is usually conducted by a senior telecommunicator or a supervisor.
3. Familiarization with Communication Systems: The new telecommunicator is trained on the various communication systems used in the emergency services field, such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, radio systems, and telephone systems. This training is typically provided by experienced telecommunicators or IT personnel.
4. Call-Taking and Dispatching Procedures: The new telecommunicator learns the call-taking and dispatching procedures specific to the company, including how to handle emergency calls, gather essential information, prioritize incidents, and dispatch appropriate resources. This training is usually conducted by experienced telecommunicators or supervisors.
5. Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Training: If the company provides emergency medical dispatch services, the new telecommunicator undergoes training in EMD protocols, which involve providing pre-arrival medical instructions to callers in medical emergencies. This training is typically conducted by certified EMD instructors.
6. Radio Communication Protocols: The new telecommunicator is trained on radio communication protocols, including proper radio etiquette, codes, and signals used in emergency services. This training is usually provided by experienced telecommunicators or supervisors.
7. Stress Management and Resilience Training: Given the high-stress nature of the occupation, the new telecommunicator receives training on stress management techniques, resilience building, and self-care strategies to maintain mental and emotional well-being. This training may be conducted by mental health professionals or designated trainers.
8. Legal and Ethical Considerations: The new telecommunicator learns about the legal and ethical considerations involved in emergency services, including confidentiality, privacy laws, HIPAA compliance, and the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity. This training is typically provided by supervisors or legal experts.
9. Equipment and Technology Training: The new telecommunicator receives training on the use of specialized equipment and technology, such as computer systems, call recording systems, mapping software, and other tools essential for effective emergency response. This training is usually conducted by IT personnel or experienced telecommunicators.
10. Shadowing and Mentoring: The new telecommunicator is paired with an experienced telecommunicator who serves as their mentor, guiding them through real-life emergency calls, providing feedback, and offering support during the initial period of on-the-job training. This task is performed by experienced telecommunicators or supervisors.
11. Performance Evaluation and Feedback: Throughout the onboarding process, the new telecommunicator undergoes regular performance evaluations and receives constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure they are meeting the company’s standards. This task is typically performed by supervisors or designated trainers.
12. Continuing Education and Professional Development: The new telecommunicator is encouraged to participate in ongoing training programs, workshops, and conferences to enhance their skills, stay updated on industry best practices, and maintain professional certifications. The responsibility for organizing and facilitating these opportunities may lie with the training department or supervisors
Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process
From reading through the items in the example Public Safety Telecommunicator checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Public Safety Telecommunicator up to speed and working well in your Emergency Services team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.