Paramedic - Ground Transport | UF Health Jacksonville EMS | Full-time, Part-time, & PRN available

Ground Transport Paramedic

Under the direction of the Program Director/Manager and Medical Director, the Transport Paramedic is responsible for assessment, triage, treatment and evaluation of patients during transport by ground. The transport paramedic must function autonomously utilizing medical protocols and advanced skills under the direction of the medical director. The transport paramedic utilizes clinical process to provide comprehensive care to the patient and documents that process on the patient record. The transport paramedic serves as a resource for other team members by sharing skills and clinical knowledge. The transport paramedic must be effective with communication, skills, and able to work positively in a high stress environment with patients, peers, families and other internal/external personnel. The transport paramedic must also possess excellent interpersonal skills as s/he is instrumental in providing community outreach and education. The transport paramedic is responsible for carrying out the mission and goals of UF Health Jacksonville assuring that safety remains the highest priority throughout the transport continuum. The transport paramedic shall be a proficient team member on ground transports. An employee assigned to this classification is the lead worker on an ALS ambulance who is responsible for rendering initial evaluations of patients and performing advanced life support and/or procedures on the sick or injured. They are responsible for supervising and evaluating assigned drivers. The transport paramedic will be expected to assist in the trauma center and emergency department when not actively involved in transport as needed. The transport paramedic will operate all hospital owned vehicles IAW all local and state standards.

Provides safe interfacility transport of patients according to established UF Health Jacksonville transport protocols and standing orders.

• Performs scheduled observations and monitoring activities according to unit/department/patient population specific standards.
• Recognizes abnormal findings and changes in patient condition.
• Initiates clinical assessment and treatment as well as monitors and assesses patients on an on-going basis according to policies, procedures, protocols, and practice guidelines.
• Assesses and collects data to determine patient stability, safety, and pain.
• Reviews medical orders for immediate needs and completeness.
• Initiates and/or continues a thorough patient assessment and directs treatment as appropriate.
• Informs the patient and family of their rights and responsibilities and queries adult patients regarding advance directives.
• Recognizes interrelationships between physical assessment findings, monitored parameters, therapies including medications and fluids, and changes in laboratory results, and previously reported or documented information to identify changes in the patient's status.
• Safely drives ambulances when required.

Contributes to continuity of care:

• Implements patient care activities as assigned according to standards of care and practice.
• Reinforces patient and family education.
• Operates and troubleshoots equipment as indicated for patient care needs.
• Utilizes computer information management systems to facilitate patient care.
• Documents patient care according to policies, procedures and protocols.

Facilitates efficient daily operations:

• Organizes and reprioritizes work based on patient's needs, available resources, and unit requirements.
• Follows hospital policies and procedures and program protocols.
• Supports the philosophy of EMS and the organizational structure.
• Supports compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements.
• Reviews department work load to maintain current working knowledge of job responsibilities.
• Attends program staff meetings and responsible for information presented.
• Reviews program goals and directs daily work efforts toward satisfying those goals.
• Practices cost-effective use of personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling to meet program and service needs.
• Performs related duties such as assisting with navigation, radio communication, obstacle avoidance and other EMS related duties as an assigned crew member.
• Represents program and hospital and coordinates public relations events and educational in-services for surrounding counties.
• Inspects vehicle daily; insures that vehicle is clean, fully equipped and in proper operating condition and in compliance with all state and local laws. Makes up stretcher and cleans inside of vehicle after each call.
• Responds to mission requests in the prescribed timeframe.

Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff by following policies, procedures, and protocols. Responsible for safely transporting patient and medical equipment and providing appropriate patient care during transport.

• Responsible for safely transporting patient and medical equipment and providing appropriate patient care during transport.
• Identifies patients at risk for injury and participates in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk.
• Adheres to AGE APPROPRIATE PROTOCOLS in order to ensure patient safety based on developmental needs.
• Contributes to prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Completes employee accident reports and contributes information to complete patient safety reports.
• Reports environmental safety hazards, including damaged and broken equipment.
• Responds to mission requests timely.
• Ensures emergency readiness, and initiates timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities.
• Ensures that the transport vehicle is serviceable by checking all warning devices and overall serviceability of the vehicle, this includes but not limited to: fluid levels, fuel levels, emergency warning devices, lights, etc.

Demonstrates professional development, accountability, and leadership.

• Mandatory certification requirements -Basic Life Support (BLS) -Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) -Pediatric Advanced Life Support -Emergency Pediatric Care -Prehospital -Trauma Life Support -EVOC
• Identifies learning needs and contracts with preceptor and/or manager to achieve learning goals.
• Maintains core and divisional/program-based competencies as described in the divisional competency plan.
• Attends staff development programs as identified by self, preceptor and/or manager.
• Fulfills mandatory educational requirements annually, which include but are not limited to: -JCAHO competency -OSA competency -BLS Health Care Provider -Program-Specific Skills
• Maintains a record of participation in all professional educational activities.
• Functions as preceptor as appropriate. Instructs and attend outreach education opportunities.
• Complies with work rules (e.g. dress code, time and attendance, break time, personal use of phones/computers, etc.)
• Takes responsibility for obtaining departmental/hospital information and incorporates change into practice.
• Maintains competence and continues development of professional/clinical knowledge case through continuing education
• Completes mandatory in-services/requirements, competency updates and self-evaluation for evaluation process.
• Reviews unit/department communication to maintain current working knowledge of job responsibilities.

Communicates in a professional manner with other members of the health care team.

Serves as a patient advocate by providing compassionate care, which is individualized to meet the special needs of each patient.

Performs all duties as assigned within the job scope

Additional Responsibilities

• All other duties as assigned by supervisor within job scope.
• Maintain a "clean" driving record and operate all hospital vehicles IAW all local and state standards.
• Responsible for supervising and evaluating assigned drivers.
• Participates in on-going education to expand and enhance professional development as required by hospital guidelines
• Consistently demonstrates knowledge of Regulatory Agency Standards by incorporating them into daily practice.
• Demonstrates clinical skill in patient care management.
• Complies with all hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pathophysiology in relation to cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and neurological systems.
• Must be able to function in a small environment and be proportionate in build.
• Must be able to see hazards and be able to maneuver safely around the vehicle.
• Be able to lift, push, pull 250 pounds or more with assistance.

Qualifications

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education: Associate's degree

Required Licensure/Certifications:

• Florida Paramedic