Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Switchboard Operator
What switchboard operators actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a switchboard operator?
Log in to the console. From there, the day usually includes answer incoming calls, transfer calls, and take messages. Shifts cover days, nights, weekends and holidays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a switchboard operator working full time.
- Log in to the console.
- Route morning calls.
- Page a doctor.
- Take messages for an office.
- Announce a hospital code.
- Update the directory.
- Hand off to the next shift.
Where switchboard operators work
Operators work in hospitals, answering services and large organizations, sometimes remotely.
Hours and schedule
Shifts cover days, nights, weekends and holidays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Answer incoming calls
- Transfer calls
- Take messages
- Page staff
- Handle after-hours calls
- Announce emergency codes
- Keep directories current
Tools you’ll use every day
- Switchboard consoles
- Headsets
- Paging systems
- Call center software
- Directories
- Messaging systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Short training
- Remote options at answering services
- Steady pace
- Indoor work
What’s hard
- Steep decline in jobs
- Low pay
- Repetitive
- Night and holiday shifts
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I have a clear phone voice
- I stay calm
- I multitask well
- I don’t mind shifts
- I want short training
- I like helping callers
Not sure? Take the free Switchboard Operator fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow emergency code procedures
- Protect patient and caller privacy
- Use ergonomic headsets
- Take breaks