Paramedic

Paramedic Position

Leon County Government offers a paraprofessional, entry-level Paramedic position providing basic and advanced life support and transporting sick and injured patients. Work involves driving to and from the scene, providing patient care as directed by a paramedic and within the medical protocols and standards established by the EMS Medical Director, documenting activities, and providing other assistance as needed.

The job description includes duties such as checking vehicle for supplies and equipment, maintaining inventory control, advising paramedic and/or EMT partner and logistics personnel of equipment and supplies needed, maintaining vehicle in full operational readiness in compliance with state and division standards, insuring supplies, cleanliness, and preventive maintenance, assisting in maintaining ambulance in efficient operating condition, cleaning the ambulance after each emergency call, conducting medical inventory and inspection of supplies, restocking the emergency vehicle with regard to supplies and equipment, receiving dispatch instructions by radio or telephone, communicating over radio and telephone with dispatch operations, hospital staff, and representatives of other public safety organizations, operating an ambulance expeditiously and safely through traffic in accordance with defensive driving techniques and various weather conditions, adhering to traffic regulations governing emergency vehicle operation, driving the emergency vehicle to and from accident scenes and hospitals, assisting paramedics and EMTs in establishing priority for emergency care, initiating basic and advanced life support procedures according to established standing orders and medical protocols, following and performing work consistent with Standard Operating Guidelines, standing orders and medical protocols, communicating effectively with patients, family members, bystanders, team members, public safety staff, first responders, dispatchers, and radio operators, assessing patient condition, administering a variety of basic life support medical treatments accurately and as rapidly as possible, using techniques such as patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), splinting, obstetrical assistance, bandaging, administration of oxygen, and other techniques described in the Paramedic Training Course curriculum, administering a variety of advanced life support medical treatment through the use of techniques such as endotracheal intubation, the administration of drugs or intravenous fluids, telemetry, cardiac monitoring, and cardiac defibrillation, administering emergency care while transporting patient in ambulance, assisting EMT and/or paramedic in delivering patient to emergency room, completing required forms and reports, documenting patient care and other matters as required, attending seminars, workshops and training sessions as required, providing for the security of controlled substances and witnessing the proper disposal of controlled substances, when assigned, providing facility to facility transports, both locally and outside of Leon County, Florida, assisting with community events such as educating the public on injury prevention, bicycle safety, car seat safety, emergency medical procedures and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), performing miscellaneous duties and administrative tasks such as facility cleaning, general housekeeping, and scheduling maintenance, and performing other duties as assigned.

Independent judgment is required in the application of medical services in accordance to established standards. Employee must apply principles of emergency medicine and common sense understanding to carry out detailed and involved written or oral instructions. Employee must comprehend and interpret information received and observed.

Supervision received duties range from defined to somewhat defined and involves judgment and the application of established standards. Supervised by Charge Paramedic. Supervision of others none. Work requires interaction with the sick and injured, medical staff, and public safety staff. Rescue vehicle, stretcher, and medical equipment are used.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors. Work environmental factors include exposure to adverse weather conditions including rain, heat, cold, wind, et cetera. May work in conditions of poor lighting and high levels of noise. May be exposed to moving mechanical parts. Work involves risk of infection or contamination from injured people, hostile/violent individuals, toxic or caustic chemicals. Physical demands require lifting in excess of 100 pounds. Physical demands include climbing, balancing, stooping, crawling, bending, kneeling, walking, sitting, or standing for prolong periods of time. Employee must use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms. Employee must communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Motor coordination is required to safely walk and carry equipment and patients over even and uneven terrain. Work involves working in areas of limited mobility including an ambulance.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of emergency medical service and basic and advanced life support of the sick and injured. Knowledge of the proper handling, containment, and disposal of bio-hazardous medical waste. Knowledge of emergency medical equipment and telecommunication devices. Knowledge of traffic regulations governing emergency vehicle operation. Knowledge of highways, roads, and streets of the City and County. Knowledge of rules for effective written and spoken English communications. Skill in operating an emergency vehicle expeditiously, safely and defensively. Skill in the use of radio equipment. Skill in applying appropriate medical techniques. Ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Ability to maintain a courteous and professional demeanor. Ability to lift/push/carry in excess of 100 pounds. Ability to make accurate assessments of injuries or physical trauma. Ability to properly set-up and use equipment as directed by higher level paramedics. Ability to maneuver an emergency vehicle/ambulance expeditiously and safely through traffic. Ability to deal with a variety of sick, injured, and hysterical/violent individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Ability to maintain thorough medical records. Ability to prepare verbal and written reports. Ability to distinguish color and shades of color. Ability to keep patient information confidential. Ability to maintain certification and training. Ability to maintain a good driving record. Ability to work varying hours. Ability to use tact and empathy in dealing with a variety of patients, many of whom are emotionally upset. Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and use good judgment.

Ability to maintain the skill, physical strength, agility, and emotional stability to handle emergency treatments and to lift patients and equipment in and out of ambulance. Ability to follow and understand protocols.

Minimum qualifications require a high school diploma or an equivalent. An AA degree is preferred. Necessary special requirements include current Florida Paramedic Certification, current certificate indicating successful completion of American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) for Health Care Providers, or an equivalent that is acceptable to Leon County, current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certificate from the American Heart Association or Florida Department of Health recognized equivalent, current certificate indicating successful completion of 16 hour EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course) recognized by Florida Department of Health, Florida Class E Driver's License, or equivalent accepted by the State of Florida, and a favorable driving record. Must present a valid Florida Department of Motor Vehicles driver transcript at the time of hire. Must possess or successfully complete, within three months of hire, the following Incident Command Systems (ICS) Training Courses and maintain such ICS certifications throughout the term of employment: IS-100 –Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-200 – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-700 –National Incident Management System, IS-800.B – National Response Framework. Must possess certification or otherwise successfully complete, within three months of hire, the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) courses, or equivalent courses that are acceptable to Leon County, unless such ITLS course is not offered within such timeframe and the time of completion is therefore extended by EMS Administration, and maintain such PALS and ITLS or acceptable equivalent certification throughout the term of employment.

Employees assigned to the Paramedic classification may progress to the Paramedic I classification upon employee's successful completion of the applicable Field Training Program and approval of the Leon County Medical Director.

Selection guidelines include formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; pre-employment physical fitness test, physical exam, drug testing, and background checks.

FLSA status: Position is Non-Exempt.

Revision history: July 15, 2003, August 6, 2003, August 7, 2003; December 3, 2003; January 21, 2004; July 9, 2005; May 30, 2014; October 1, 2014.