EMT-paramedic

Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

Responds to emergency calls and interfacility transfers. Provides emergency medical care to patients based on Standards of Care and approved protocols. Communicates appropriate information to healthcare personnel along with other emergency services personnel and maintains necessary patient care records. Performs equipment and vehicle inspections per adopted policies to ensure emergency response readiness. Assists, as needed, in other hospital departments while following approved Standards of Care and/or the direction of higher certified/licensed healthcare personnel.

Job Qualifications:

A. Education / Certifications:

a. High school graduate or equivalent

b. Current and active Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certification, or Licensed Paramedic.

c. Holds current, or be able to obtain with 90 days of employment:

1. AHA-BLS
2. AHA-ACLS
3. AHA-PALS

B. Current and valid Driver's License, along with driving record meeting insurability requirements consistent with hospital and insurance carrier policies.

C. Personal Job-Related Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills.

D. Working knowledge of general computer operation is preferred.

E. Ability to adhere to hospital, local, state, and CMS guidelines/policies in the delivery of emergency care and compliance parameters.

F. Assists and works cooperatively with other hospital departments, as needed.

G. Accepts both internal and external committee assignments, as needed to facilitate hospital and EMS initiatives.

H. Cannot be included on the Office of Inspector General's Exclusion List relating to Medicare payments.

I. Experience:

a. Prior Work Experience: One year minimum working in an Emergency Medical Services environment is preferred.

J. Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position require intermittent periods of sitting, standing and walking. Bending, stooping, and reaching is required. The lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying of patients with the use of equipment is required. Lifting in excess of 150 pounds, with assistance, may be required. Some circumstances require ability to withstand heights, prolonged distances of travel, stress, and hostile environments. Vision requirements include close, distance, color vision and the ability to adjust focus in order to read and interpret instructions. Must be able to hear conversation to interact with physicians, patients, staff, family members and other team members. The work environment may be subject to extreme weather conditions and emergency situations. Workers are exposed to stressful patient situations.

The physical and mental 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 of this position without compromising patient care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties assigned to this job classification. Changes and/or additions may be made as needed.

A. Operation and maintenance of emergency vehicles

1. Operates vehicles at a safe speed, based on existing conditions and applicable motor vehicle laws and established policies.
2. Wears seatbelt at all times while the vehicle is in motion, regardless if driving or front seat passenger.
3. Performs, or assists with daily vehicle inspections for response readiness, including all patient care equipment and devices.
4. Ensures cleanliness of assigned vehicles, including interior patient compartment to present a professional appearance and clean environment for patient care.
5. Ensures vehicles are attached to available Shore Power when parked.
6. Notifies the EMS Manager of any maintenance issues beyond his/her ability to correct.

B. Administers emergency medical care.

1. Administers patient care in accordance with appropriate protocols, standards of care, and level of training with patient and personal safety considerations being paramount.
2. Assumes the role of lead patient caregiver when responding to medical emergencies and coordinates all pre-hospital patient administered by lower and non-certified personnel on the scene.
3. Maintains a professional attitude and demeanor during patient contact and while interacting with peers and the general public.
4. Reassures patient and is attentive to patient's rights and religious beliefs, and patient privacy (HIPAA).
5. Utilizes all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the performance of patient care and cleaning of contaminated vehicles/equipment.

C. Patient care documentation.

1. Obtains necessary information through patient assessment, interaction with family/bystanders, or first responders to facilitate comprehensive patient care documentation.
2. Adheres to established documentation guidelines in completing patient care records to facilitate accuracy of the records and the billing process.
3. Under NO circumstance will a provider falsify any type of patient record.

D. Maintains appropriate supplies.

1. Assures unit is restocked with necessary items following each medical call.
2. Assures Unicell is inventoried and adequately stocked on a daily basis when assigned to Eastland unit.
3. Performs, or assists with monthly inventory of assigned units ensuring ALL items are in date and usable.

E. Follows safety policies and procedures.

1. Observes safety regulations and procedures both in the hospital and ambulances.
2. Attends / completes annual health and safety education as scheduled.
3. Strictly adheres to Infection Control guidelines and policies at all times.
4. Immediately reports any observed safety issues to a member of management.
5. Maintains awareness of, and adheres to hospital policies and procedures at all times.

F. Performs duties within the hospital, as needed to facilitate patient care.

1. Performs duties in other hospital departments under the direction and supervision of personnel in these departments with expertise in the objective.
2. Designated patient care skills performed are confined to the employee's level of certification. Skills not falling within the designated scope of practice are only performed under direct supervision of a physician.

Other Significant Requirements:

A. Maintains confidentiality and safeguards patient/hospital related information at all times.

B. Demonstrates behaviors that promote positive customer relations with staff, patients, and visitors.

C. Reports to work as scheduled and consistently demonstrates dependability and punctuality.

D. Completes work within designated time.

E. Follows Patient's Rights policies at all times.

F. Meets dress code standards and wears identification when on duty.

G. Demonstrates knowledge of location and correct use of fire extinguishers.

H. Demonstrates behaviors consistent with organizational mission and goals.

I. Accepts assigned duties in a cooperative manner exhibiting acceptable work behavior and conduct.

J. Interacts positively with customers, taking into consideration any special needs related to age, emotional condition or ability.