Paramedic

Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

Performs difficult technical and protective service work in providing emergency medical services to critically ill and injured patients under emergency conditions; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Emergency Services Captain. Supervision may be exercised over EMT's and EMT-I's.

Essential functions/typical tasks include:

• Responding to emergency calls involving chest pain, possible heart attack, respiratory distress, unconsciousness, diabetic shock, drug overdose, drowning or other condition which might require advanced life support.
• Providing emergency medical care in accordance with established guidelines and written verbal instructions from physicians.
• Determining extent of illness or injury and establishing priorities for required care.
• Transmitting vital patient information and telemetry data to receiving medical care facility.
• Treatment techniques include airway management, I.V. Therapy, drug administration, cardiac monitoring and defibrillating and electrocardiogram strip interpretation.
• Observing patient in route and administering additional care as needed.
• Inspecting advanced life support and telemetry equipment daily and ensuring proper maintenance and operating conditions and inventories supplies.
• Assisting in cleaning and maintaining vehicle and equipment.
• Assisting with housekeeping, station maintenance and routine office tasks.
• Conducting in-service training for other EMS personnel.
• Serving as EMS Shift Supervisor as assigned.
• Performing related tasks as required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Thorough knowledge of emergency medical care techniques and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of advanced life support methods, procedures and equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to perform duties in emergency situations.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with physicians, fellow employees and the public.
• Ability to prepare reports.

Education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by required emergency medical and paramedic training including NIMS courses and considerable experience in emergency medical services.

Physical requirements include exertion in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and oils. The worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

Special requirements include possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Possession and maintenance of current certificate as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic issued by the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners and all other minimum qualifications for the position as established by the department.