Paramedic- Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY

Harnett County EMS is seeking eager Paramedics. An employee in this position performs paramedic-level life support, stabilization procedures, transport, and emergency medical care for Harnett County Emergency Medical Services. This includes: responding to the scene of emergency and non-emergency calls as a member of a two-person ambulance crew; providing advanced-level life support and medical emergency treatment to patients at the scene and during transport to medical facilities; and ensuring that quality emergency patient care standards are in place, proper equipment and treatment are available, and sound judgment and treatment decisions are made. Salary will be determined based on years of experience: 0-2 years of experience $58,439 annually $4,869.92 monthly 2-5 years of experience $64,283 annually $5,356.92 monthly 5+ years of experience $67,205 annually $5,600.42 monthly

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions of the position:

• Serves as paramedic in charge on calls; directs care, rescue, and response of fire, crime, accident, or other emergency and non-emergency victims/patients; oversees work of assigned Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs); provides training and mentoring of new employees; and supervises students assigned to ride.
• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls in an ambulance or quick response vehicle.
• Must be able to drive and operate a vehicle to travel as needed.
• Performs emergency medical acts in accordance with protocols established by the Department and the County's Medical Director.
• Administers medications to include controlled substances via intravenous line or other appropriate routes; administers specified solutions by intravenous infusion; performs pulmonary ventilations; and obtains EKGs for cardiac diagnostics.
• Performs patient assessment and life support techniques in accordance with the approved protocols including airway management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administers oxygen; controls hemorrhages; treats shock; bandages and dresses injuries; splints fractures and dislocations; treats other injuries to various parts of the body; provides basic life support for medical injuries; assists in normal and abnormal childbirth; treats burns; lifts and moves patients for transfer to a medical facility; extricates patients from confined areas; and performs other procedures within County protocols.
• Signs chain of custody forms for narcotics from off-going crew; maintains them until end of shift or transfer of custody.
• Gathers patient medical and insurance information from the patient, family members or bystanders and inputs into the computer.
• Transports patients to local and regional medical facilities, maintains contact with medical staff while in transport; assures care of patient; and oversees treatment and care for long-term care patients on transport to other facilities, hospitals, or doctor's offices.
• Completes full patient care documentation through various paper and electronic based formats during and after calls for service including information for billing documentation and legal accountability.
• Participates in a continuous training program to maintain certification and improve competence in medical technical work and operation; studies street, road patterns, and networks of the County in order that future runs may be made with minimum difficulty and delay.
• Inspects and tests response vehicles and their emergency equipment; maintains proper inventory of equipment and supplies; cleans and sanitizes equipment daily; ensures that equipment is in proper working order; makes routine adjustments; and reports defects for specialized attention.
• Maintains cleanliness and performs minor maintenance of Emergency Medical Service facilities; cleans, sweeps, mops, etc.
• Assists members of volunteer emergency medical service organizations as requested.
• Assists with the direction and control during disaster situations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum requirements to perform work:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• No experience required, but experience as an EMT or AEMT is desirable.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience;

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license;
• Possession of a current Paramedic Certification from the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services;
• Possession of other applicable certifications such as BLS, PALS, ACLS, ITLS and/or PHTLS, or EVD and/or EVOC or equivalent, and HazMat may be required; and
• Possession of ICS-100, 200, 700, and 800 is desirable.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of emergency medical procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of maintenance and repair of rescue equipment
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of intravenous therapy.
• Knowledge of equipment and supplies employed in emergency care of patients.
• Knowledge of County geography and locations of roads and streets.
• Knowledge of OSHA and bloodborne pathogens, and other safety rules and practices applicable to job duties.
• Knowledge of emergency patient care standards.
• Knowledge of established Emergency Medical Standard Operating Guidelines and local Medical Director approved protocols.
• Skill in recognizing trauma, signs, and symptoms of medical emergencies to determine appropriate treatment.
• Skill in operating rescue equipment
• Skill in recognizing adverse conditions.
• Ability to perform duties in accordance with established emergency medical procedures and techniques, medical protocols, and standing orders.
• Ability to work with a diverse socioeconomic population based on the unique situations encountered.
• Ability to respond quickly and calmly in emergencies and challenging situations.
• Ability to safely drive an ambulance or transport vehicle in both normal and adverse conditions and according to motor vehicles laws.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a tactful yet firm manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with death and dying patients.
• Ability to accurately record services provided on required forms.
• Ability to work with co-workers, law enforcement personnel, fire, medical personnel, patients, and the public.
• Ability to maintain vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to assess the condition of patients and apply short-term relief.
• Ability to render timely and appropriate care to patients based upon the skill level and the particular circumstances of each patient/call.
• Ability to make sound judgments and treatment decisions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain privileges to function through HCEMS System Medical Director's medical oversight.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Physical demands: Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 20 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; frequently requiring 50 pounds of force to move objects; and occasionally requiring to exert up to 100 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, having manual dexterity, using mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, performing repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to read extensively, operate a variety of medical equipment, to inspect patients and monitor equipment, to administer medications, to operate a computer, and to inspect and assemble use of measurement of devices work with color or depth perception, determine accuracy, and make visual inspections. Work environment: The employee is exposed to the normal hazards of emergency rescue work, including risk of exposure to human body fluids and infectious diseases. Subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions, exposure to extremes in temperatures, noise, vibrations, hazards associated with emergency medical work including exposures to fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and oils. Because of the nature of the work, the employee is exposed to human blood and is subject to the OSHA requirements on blood borne pathogens.