Paramedic/EMT

Job Title

Fort Dodge Fire Rescue is seeking dedicated and compassionate Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics to join our EMS team.

Job Description

As a member of the Fort Dodge Fire Rescue EMS team, you will provide high-quality emergency medical care and transportation while working collaboratively with patients, families, healthcare professionals, public safety agencies, and fellow EMS personnel. Depending on your certification level and assigned duties, responsibilities may include:

• Provide high-quality emergency medical treatment and patient care.
• Respond to emergency medical calls and provide appropriate care at the scene of illness or injury.
• Safely and efficiently transport patients to appropriate medical facilities.
• Work collaboratively with EMTs, Paramedics, firefighters, healthcare providers, and other public safety personnel.
• Assist with or provide basic and advanced life support within the scope of certification and department protocols.
• Make sound clinical decisions in high-pressure and rapidly changing situations.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the community.
• Provide health, safety, and emergency medical education to the community.
• Participate in non-emergency medical activities and other duties as assigned.
• Maintain ambulance readiness, equipment, medications, supplies, and inventories.
• Participate in crew meetings, training, continuing education, and competency activities.
• Assist with station, administrative, inventory, and other daily operational duties as assigned.

Paramedic-Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide advanced emergency medical treatment and transportation.
• Assume appropriate leadership responsibilities while on duty.
• Make critical clinical decisions during emergency situations.
• Serve as a field trainer or preceptor for EMT students and other EMS personnel.
• Assist with medication and medical supply inventories and ordering.
• Participate in quality improvement activities, standards development, committees, and other EMS-related initiatives.
• Assist with oversight of vehicle, facility, equipment, and OSHA-related requirements.
• Support the professional development and operational readiness of the EMS division.

What We're Looking For:

• A commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in high-pressure situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively with patients, families, coworkers, healthcare providers, public safety agencies, and the general public.
• Knowledge of applicable Iowa EMS laws, regulations, protocols, and procedures.
• Professionalism, dependability, accountability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• A willingness to contribute to the overall mission and operational readiness of Fort Dodge Fire Rescue.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to City and departmental policies and procedures to accomplish the City's mission and complies with established standards for high-quality customer service, accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates professional behavior to ensure high-quality patient care, supports EMS division goals, and maintains awareness of resource utilization.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA, and other applicable federal and state regulatory requirements governing healthcare and EMS.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and compliance with applicable HIPAA standards.
• Attends regularly scheduled crew meetings and educational events.
• Completes all annual education, training, and competency requirements within the calendar year and maintains required certifications.
• Maintains knowledge of compliance requirements related to federally funded healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, as applicable to EMS operations.
• Reports compliance questions or concerns to the EMS Supervisor and takes appropriate action regarding reported concerns.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City officials, other agencies, fellow employees, healthcare providers, and the general public.
• Assists with station operations, inventory, ordering of supplies, crew readiness checks, ambulance inspections, and equipment inventories as assigned.
• Maintains ambulances, equipment, supplies, and medications in proper working condition and readiness for service.
• Participates in educational activities, continuous improvement initiatives, standards development and review, committees, and other related activities as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications EMT:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be working towards a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid driver's license and ability to obtain/maintain required driving privileges and insurability.
• Current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification in the State of Iowa, registered with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), as applicable.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification.

Paramedic:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid Iowa driver's license, including required chauffeur/Class D and applicable endorsement requirements, and ability to obtain/maintain required driving privileges and insurability.
• Current Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedic (EMT-P) certification in the State of Iowa, registered with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification.
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Current Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) certification.
• Critical Care Paramedic (CCEMT-P) endorsement.
• Bilingual skills.
• Additional EMS, healthcare, fire service, training, or leadership experience.