Paramedic

Provides high-acuity critical care and emergency ground/surface transportation for the following patient populations including stroke, STEMI, trauma, medical, surgical, cardiac, neurologic, high-risk obstetrics, neonatal, and pediatric. Supports physician medical directors, critical care transport nurse specialists, and providers to provide high acuity medical therapies and interventions. Functions under the authority of (1) MEC clinical guidelines and (2) Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) protocols when appropriate. Works closely with healthcare providers, sending and receiving to facilities. Also serves as a member of operational teams working on various organizational initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

• Provides, directs and coordinates clinical care within the critical care transport environment and is accountable for the processes and outcomes of care delivered to patients.
• Conducts comprehensive patient assessment, integrating multiple data sources, which forms the basis for identification of patient/family needs and problems.
• Observes patients in a systematic way for both overt and covert clinical signs and symptoms.
• Assess patient’s needs prior to and during transport and implements a patient-specific plan of care to address noted needs.
• Under orders from the base station attending physician or established MEC medical guidelines, initiates immediate life support therapies including but not limited to parenteral administration of approved medications; intravenous/intraosseous therapies; EKG monitoring; arrhythmia interpretation; CPR; defibrillation; external cardiac pacing; airway management; endotracheal intubation; cricothyrotomy (needle or surgical); ventilator operation; needle chest decompression; high acuity transports with advanced life-sustaining equipment, including but not limited to management of patients with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP); altered neurological status; including cervical spine immobilization; application of splints and devices needed for transport.
• Responds to all internal and external crisis interventions, e.g.; Go Team requests, Novel Pathogens, outpatient assistance.
• Consistently and accurately provides comprehensive reports to the receiving medical team on patient’s status and interventions provided during transport.
• Utilizes available resources within and outside the hospital for the purpose of providing comprehensive care to patients and families.
• Evaluates and revises individualized plans of care to appropriately reflect current and changing status of the patient and/or family.
• Continuously assesses, monitors, intervenes, and stabilizes critically ill patients during transport and offers additional or alternate plans of care as needed.
• Uses chart review sessions as a forum for patient care evaluation and learning.
• Responsible for maintaining competencies required for the patient care setting; focus on advancing own professional development.
• Serves as a novice preceptor and resource to new MEC employees.
• Independently attends mandatory training, in-services, and education classes specific to MEC
• Supports unit-based initiatives for process improvement plans, including data collection
• Participates in unit level decision making via governance model
• Participates in at least one unit-based committee with active participation in committee operations
• Participates and supports the American Association of Critical Care Nurses guidelines for Healthy Work Environment (communication, collaboration, effective decision making, recognition, leadership, staffing)
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience - Required

• High school diploma or GED
• 3 years of experience in a high volume, high acuity emergency medical services system at a minimum ALS level of care or critical care interfacility transport experience 
• Current certificate as a Nationally Registered Paramedic
• Paramedic license issued
• by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services
• Active and valid American Heart Association (AHA) certification-Basic Life Support (BLS) or equivalent*
• Active and valid AHA certification-Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent*
• Active and valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) OR equivalent*
• Completion of a critical care transport program course (CCEMTP or equivalent*)
• *Equivalent course work determination will be made by MEC Medical Director and Nurse Manager

Required to Obtain After Hire:

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program Provider (NRP) within 6 months of hire
• Obtain certified critical care paramedic (CCP-C) or Flight Paramedic certification (FP-C) within 18 months of hire
• Candidate must complete UMMS critical care transport orientation program and achieve Medical Director approval to function as a specialty care paramedic

Education & Experience - Preferred

• Completion of a critical care transport program course (CCEMTP or equivalent )