Paramedic

IMPORTANT : When submitting your application, please upload your resume, letter of intent, and paramedic license.

PURPOSE

The Paramedic responds to and provides emergency care to the sick and injured. Assesses the nature and extent of patient illness / injury, administers appropriate care of patients utilizing muscular strength, coordination and endurance and provides emergency and non-emergency transport of patients to predetermined destinations. While not providing emergency services, the Paramedic engages in a proactive community-oriented EMS program that seeks to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of the community. The paramedic is a vital part of the EMS system and is expected to be a leader during emergencies and an expert in their craft.

DESCRIPTION

Paramedics shall be full-time, hourly employees of the District who report directly to their respective Battalion Chief

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prompt and regular attendance at work.
• Regularly attend staff meetings, read all communications, complete all online training assignments, to remain informed of current District policy and procedures, especially any changes to prior policy / practice
• Effectively follow all SCCAD EMS policies, procedures, guidelines, and chain of command.
• Follow medical care practice guidelines as documented in SCCAD EMS Protocols and mandated by the Chief Medical Officer - Medical Director.
• Maintain all required certifications according to District policy.
• Attendance at all Continuing Education (CE) courses as policy dictates.
• Assess and treat any medical situation with appropriate techniques (resources and equipment) while maintaining the highest standard of patient care and professionalism according to the Districts Mission, Vision and Values.
• Conduct self in a highly ethical and professional manner projecting a positive District image while always maintaining a neat and professional appearance in accordance with District policies.
• Maintain a positive, professional, and cooperative working relationship with physicians, nurses, public safety agencies, the public, allied health professionals, and other members of our EMS system.
• Complete all documentation regarding patient care and billing information in accordance with District policy.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the ambulance and equipment, its function and use and reporting any malfunction or damage to equipment promptly in accordance with District policy.
• Maintain the ambulance in a clean, organized and response ready mode.
• The paramedic responsible for driving will be responsible to always operate the ambulance under control and in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws that govern ambulance operation, and in accordance with approved company policy and safe and efficient ambulance operations.
• Responsible for safe handling of patient transport during loading and unloading, transport on stretcher, and actual transport in the ambulance.
• Function as Incident Commander when necessary.
• Quickly assesses the nature and extent of a patient's illness and / or injury and administers appropriate emergency care within the licensure and training of a Missouri State paramedic. Emergency care may include computing amounts of drugs or IV fluids and administering them; applying knowledge of drug dosages, reactions, and interactions; performing endotracheal intubation; operating cardiac monitoring equipment and defibrillators; performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; assisting in child birth operating a pulse oximeter; bandaging wounds; operating and maintaining all other pieces of emergency equipment which the paramedic is licensed to use in the State of Missouri.
• Determines patient condition in order to decide upon appropriate treatment and / or to assist a physician in making such decisions by conducting a primary assessment that includes checking level of consciousness, airway, breathing, blood pressure, pulse, lung sounds, pupils, skin color and skin temperature; and by conducting a secondary assessment that includes a focused or complete head-to-toe physical inspection and asking the patient or other knowledgeable persons about medications, current medical treatment, and prior conditions or illnesses.
• Uses muscular strength, coordination and endurance needed for lifting, moving and restraining patients. Able to work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold. Able to work long periods of time in a standing position and perform well with little sleep.
• Uses aural keenness needed to evaluate physical characteristics of a patient such as blood pressure, crepitation, and lung sounds.
• Has the ability to function well in stressful situations to deal tactfully with patients, family members and co-workers. Able to cooperate and maintain a good rapport with fire, police and hospital personnel.
• Operates the ambulance communication equipment and communicates information in a professional manner. Relays patient assessment information to the medical control physician in a clear, concise manner and provides frequent updates as needed regarding the patient's condition.
• Follows the pre-approved District protocols or treatment orders of the medical control physician.
• Prepares patients for transportation by "packaging" patients through use of appropriate splints such as back boards, cervical collars, and head immobilization devices when necessary; by removing patients from vehicle wreckage; and by restraining, lifting and carrying patients to and from the ambulance or up and down stairs.
• Drives the ambulance in order to reach and transport patients as quickly as possible while protecting the community from accidents by following local and state driving regulations and the District's vehicle operating policies and procedures; by using various maps and directional guides; and by applying a knowledge of District streets, roads and landmarks.
• Records information relating to patient assessment, treatment administered, and any other pertinent information on the Patient Care Report (PCR) and other appropriate documents in a clear, concise and timely manner.
• Establishes priorities of care in a multicausality situation, and direct others to assist in care as needed utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS) as it pertains to District operations. Assumes a leadership role in patient care situations when working with an E.M.T.
• Checks the inventory of the ambulance at the beginning of each shift by visually inspecting and counting numerous items such as medical supplies and equipment. Keeps an ongoing inventory of equipment and supplies used during the shift and reports any equipment that is lost, broken or malfunctioning or which is not replaced during the shift. Ensures that the vehicle and all equipment is kept clean and in good working order at all times.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

High school diploma or equivalent.

CPR

Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Maintain balance and strength in awkward positions. Speak clearly under stressful circumstances. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, an ability to perform the following :

STANDING / WALKING : Frequently to continuously when responding to calls. Optional while at rest at the facility. This usually includes going to and from the emergency vehicle, and getting patients from their locations, and rendering treatment. Most walks would be for short distances, as emergency vehicles are allowed to get as close to the location as possible. However, the incumbent must also be able to run these same distances, in case of an emergency where time is of the essence. Walking and running may vary, however, as the patient may be located inside a large, multi-floor facility. Standing, walking, and running could be on all types of surfaces, including but not limited to asphalt, cement, concrete, soft / packed dirt, linoleum, wood, hardwood floors, etc. The individual must be able to go up and down slight inclines or declines that may be found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. At a location, standing would occur more often than walking or running. Standing would occur on the wide variety of surfaces mentioned above. Standing could last from a few minutes to hours, depending on the situation. Standing could occur in the standard erect position, the kneeling or squatting position, etc.

SITTING : Frequently when responding to a location, the individual will sit in the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicles are equipped with a standard installed vehicle seat. The time performing the sitting activity on a call would depend upon the specific situation. The facility is equipped with a small lounge area that is furnished.

LIFTING AND CARRYING : Frequently required to lift and carry weight up to and in excess of 100 pounds or more. Incumbents will need to lift and carry with one team member adult patients, lifting them from various positions (such as a bed or a chair) onto various patient movement devices, such as an ambulance stretcher, a stair chair, long back boards, etc., and then efficiently move them into an ambulance. Other heavier objects in the high range category would be 5-foot tall, 10-inch diameter oxygen cylinders, and medical equipment boxes. The oxygen cylinders can be made of quarter-inch steel and weigh up to 113 pounds. The medical equipment boxes can weigh approximately fifty pounds or more.

BENDING AND STOOPING : Frequently throughout a work shift the individual will be required to bend and or stoop. This would involve lifting a patient, lifting equipment, treating a patient at ground level, sitting on a bench located in the ambulance. This activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more. During any given call, the provider may bend and / or stoop any number of times per incident.

CROUCHING AND KNEELING : Frequently. Crouching and kneeling may be performed when on the scene picking up equipment or assisting patients. The actual number of times this is done depends on the particular incident.

CLIMBING : Occasionally. This is required when climbing steps up and down with a patient on a cot or other device, and when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle. Generally, the climbing would require that the incumbent be lifting and carrying heavy objects such as a cot or other device with a patient on it. Balancing may be required when backing down staircases.

REACHING : Frequently to continuously throughout the work shift in order to review monitoring equipment, operate communication equipment, administer oxygen, and operate equipment. The incumbent may also be required to reach in precarious positions, such as in a vehicle, which has been crushed in an accident, or in other confined spaces. If working inside the ambulance en route to a medical facility, the incumbent will need to reach to access the patient and supplies. Reaching will involve partial to full extension of the arms.

PUSHING AND PULLING : Frequently. The activities that would require the most force in pushing and pulling is when removing or returning a stretcher to the emergency vehicle, with and without a patient on the stretcher. The weight required to push / pull will vary, depending on the weight on the stretcher. Slight pushing will be required if the incumbent is performing CPR, which can require repetitive pushing and may range from a few minutes to hours. Pushing and pulling is required when operating and closing vehicle doors.

HANDLING OR GRASPING : Continuously. While working at any given location, continual bilateral gross manipulation is performed in this position. This may be involved when : opening / closing doors; and using, handling, carrying, and operating medical equipment boxes that may weigh approximately fifty pounds or more, stretcher rails, various handles attached to equipment, and tools. The arm and hand must be able to perform all types of positions, including supination and pronation. Hyperextension, extension, and flexion of the fingers will be involved, ulnar and radial deviation, abduction and adduction of the hand and wrist will be required. A wide variety of grasping will be required, such as cylindrical grasping, palmer grasping, hook grasping, tip grasping, lateral grasping, and spherical grasping.

HAZARDS : The incumbent, when responding to emergency situations, may be exposed to dust, fumes, gases, fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, and chemicals. There is also exposure to body substances that may contain infectious materials that could cause illness or death. There is potential for bodily harm or death from violent patients, bystanders, or other dangers. At all-time the incumbent is expected to adhere to all applicable Policies and Procedures concerning safety and the prevention of contamination and infection due to bloodborne pathogens.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and / or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

IMPORTANT : When submitting your application, please upload your resume, letter of intent, and paramedic license.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.