EMS Director

EMS Director

First Care Ohio, LLC

Position Summary

The EMS Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, compliance, and operational performance of the ambulance service. This position oversees clinical operations, regulatory compliance, controlled substance management, supply chain operations, personnel management, quality improvement, safety initiatives, and relationships with regulatory agencies and healthcare partners. The EMS Director ensures the organization operates in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws while maintaining the highest standards of patient care, employee safety, operational readiness, and organizational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local EMS regulations, licensing requirements, and industry standards.
• Maintain organizational compliance with EMS regulatory agencies, controlled substance regulations, vehicle licensing requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison with state and local regulatory agencies.
• Monitor changes in EMS laws, regulations, and industry standards and implement necessary operational changes.
• Ensure organizational compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, DOT, Medicare, Medicaid, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Oversee regulatory inspections, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans.

Operational Leadership

• Direct daily EMS operations to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Monitor system performance, response times, service delivery metrics, and operational readiness.
• Oversee fleet readiness, equipment compliance, and resource allocation.
• Participate in strategic planning, growth initiatives, and service expansion opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish operational goals and performance objectives.

Personnel Management

• Train, develop, supervise, and evaluate EMS personnel.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to supervisors, managers, and field personnel.
• Ensure employee certifications, licenses, credentials, and training requirements remain current.
• Address employee performance concerns through coaching, corrective action, and performance management processes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and employee engagement.
• Participate in employee disciplinary processes, investigations, and conflict resolution.

Clinical Quality and Patient Care

• Collaborate with the Medical Director to ensure compliance with approved clinical protocols and standards of care.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality improvement programs.
• Review clinical performance indicators and patient care outcomes.
• Investigate patient complaints, adverse events, medication variances, and operational incidents.
• Implement corrective actions and process improvements when necessary.
• Support continuing education and clinical competency programs.

Controlled Substance Management and Compliance

• Oversee all aspects of controlled substance management and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws governing controlled substances, including requirements established by the DEA, state boards of pharmacy, and EMS regulatory agencies.
• Maintain accurate controlled substance inventories, security measures, records, audits, and reporting processes.
• Investigate and address controlled substance discrepancies, losses, diversions, and documentation concerns.
• Coordinate controlled substance inspections, audits, and corrective action plans.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to narcotic storage, handling, administration, wasting, and recordkeeping.
• Ensure all personnel receive appropriate training regarding controlled substance handling and compliance requirements.
• Serve as the organization's designated leader for narcotics accountability, medication security, and controlled substance oversight.

Supply Chain and Inventory Management

• Oversee procurement, inventory control, distribution, and replenishment of medical supplies, medications, and operational equipment.
• Ensure all ambulances and facilities maintain appropriate inventory levels to support operational readiness.
• Monitor supply utilization and identify opportunities for cost containment and operational efficiency.
• Establish inventory management processes to minimize waste, expiration, loss, and shortages.
• Coordinate vendor relationships and purchasing activities related to medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and operational equipment.
• Ensure compliance with medication storage requirements, expiration tracking, and inventory documentation standards.
• Participate in budgeting and forecasting for medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment expenditures.
• Maintain operational readiness by ensuring vehicles, equipment, medications, and supplies meet company standards and regulatory requirements.

Safety and Risk Management

• Promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
• Oversee accident prevention, driver safety, infection control, and workplace safety initiatives.
• Participate in incident investigations and corrective action planning.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and workplace safety requirements.
• Analyze safety trends and implement preventative measures to reduce organizational risk.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Monitor operational expenses and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Review vendor relationships, purchasing agreements, and operational contracts.
• Develop performance metrics and reporting processes related to operations, compliance, inventory management, and patient care.
• Support business development, customer relations, and community outreach initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, or other healthcare credential recognized by state EMS authorities.
• Five (5) years of progressive EMS leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ambulance operations, EMS regulations, and healthcare compliance requirements.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make independent decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational reporting systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Emergency Management, Nursing, or a related field.
• Experience serving as an EMS Director, Operations Director, Regional Director, Clinical Director, or similar leadership role.
• Experience managing ambulance operations in multiple states.
• Thorough working knowledge of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky EMS laws, administrative codes, licensing requirements, and regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated experience obtaining, maintaining, or managing EMS licensure and regulatory compliance in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
• Experience interacting with state EMS offices, regulatory inspections, complaint investigations, and licensing audits.
• Experience with EMS accreditation programs, quality improvement initiatives, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Experience managing controlled substance programs, including DEA compliance, state pharmacy regulations, inventory controls, diversion prevention, and auditing.
• Experience overseeing EMS supply chain operations, inventory management systems, medication procurement, and fleet equipment readiness.
• Thorough understanding of controlled substance security, documentation, auditing, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, OSHA, DOT, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare compliance requirements.
• Experience conducting internal compliance audits, corrective action planning, and organizational risk management.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and strategic growth initiatives.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel between company locations and attend meetings, inspections, conferences, and community events.
• Ability to respond to operational emergencies outside normal business hours as needed.