Communications Supervisor in TOMS RIVER, New Jersey at RWJBarnabas Health

Job Title: Communications Supervisor

Location: Community Medical Center

Department Name: IT&S Telecommunications

Req #: 0000274098

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $55,700.00 - $69,700.00 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Setting the Stage

RWJBarnabas Health is seeking an experienced Communications Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of telecommunications and emergency communications services supporting two medical centers.

Reporting to the IT Site Director, you'll lead a team of Communications Specialists responsible for managing hospital switchboard operations, paging systems, emergency alerts, and internal and external communications. In this role, you'll combine people leadership, operational oversight, emergency preparedness, and financial management to help ensure reliable communication across our hospitals.

A Typical Day

As a Communications Supervisor, you may:

• Lead and supervise daily operations of the hospital switchboard and communications team across two medical centers
• Coordinate staffing, scheduling, vacation requests, and coverage for a 24/7 communications operation
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, employee evaluations, and ongoing training for Communications Specialists
• Develop and maintain training programs to ensure staff competency in telecommunications and emergency response procedures
• Oversee incoming and outgoing calls, paging systems, overhead announcements, and emergency alerts to ensure timely and accurate communication
• Serve as a primary point of contact during hospital emergencies, mass notifications, and disaster preparedness exercises
• Ensure staff follow established emergency communication protocols, including medical, facility, and security alerts
• Review emergency communication procedures and audit code activations, call logs, and related documentation for compliance and quality improvement
• Maintain accurate staff directories, departmental contact information, and physician on-call schedules
• Monitor telecommunications systems and coordinate troubleshooting with IT and other support departments
• Generate and analyze departmental staffing, productivity, and emergency communication reports
• Review and approve employee payroll and monitor staffing productivity
• Monitor departmental expenses and budget performance using STRATA
• Partner with Finance leadership in preparing the annual operating budget
• Create and approve departmental purchase requisitions and support IT-related purchasing needs
• Maintain departmental policies, procedures, communication records, and operational documentation
• Collaborate with hospital leadership, clinical departments, and external agencies to support effective communication
• Provide after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call coverage as required
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and applicable laws and regulatory requirements

This Role Might Be For You If...

• You're an experienced communications professional who enjoys leading teams in a fast-paced healthcare environment
• You understand the importance of accurate and timely communication during hospital emergencies
• You're comfortable overseeing multi-line telephone systems, paging software, switchboard operations, and emergency notification systems
• You can remain calm, confident, and organized when responding to urgent or high-pressure situations
• You have experience managing staff schedules, employee performance, training, and departmental coverage
• You're comfortable analyzing staffing productivity, departmental expenses, and operational performance
• You enjoy identifying opportunities to improve workflows, service quality, and communication processes
• You're an effective communicator who can collaborate with hospital leadership, physicians, clinical teams, and support departments
• You have strong attention to detail and understand the importance of confidentiality, regulatory compliance, and accurate documentation
• You're flexible and comfortable supporting a department that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week

To Be Considered

Required qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a hospital or healthcare communications setting
• At least 1–2 years of supervisory or team lead experience
• Experience in switchboard operations, reception, or a related communications function
• Proficiency with multi-line telephone systems, paging software, call management systems, and communication applications
• Intermediate computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, email, and intranet applications
• Strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking skills
• Excellent verbal communication, professional telephone etiquette, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of hospital emergency communication protocols and alert procedures
• Financial literacy and the ability to support departmental budget and productivity monitoring
• Ability to remain calm and effective during emergency situations
• Understanding of HIPAA regulations and commitment to confidentiality

Preferred qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Communications, or a related field
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Experience with hospital information systems, such as EPIC
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills

Why RWJBarnabas Health?

At RWJBarnabas Health, effective communication is essential to patient safety, operational efficiency, and the delivery of exceptional care. As a Communications Supervisor, you'll play a critical leadership role in ensuring hospital teams remain connected, emergency alerts are communicated accurately, and essential telecommunications services operate reliably around the clock.

You'll have the opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated team while collaborating with clinical, administrative, and technology leaders to strengthen hospital communication systems and emergency preparedness. Join New Jersey's leading academic health system and contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and patient-centered care.