Paramedic (Full-Time)

Paramedic Position

New as of 01/01/2026: Your well-being matters from the start benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

$2,000 New Hire Recruitment Incentive for qualifying new Paramedic hires!

Looking for a rewarding EMS career? Catawba County EMS offers competitive pay, modern equipment, and a schedule built for work-life balance.

Schedule & Work-Life Balance:

• 12-hour shifts (07001900, 19000700, or 09002100) on a Pittman-style schedule fixed day or night assignment, every other weekend off, alternating 36-/48-hour weeks with built-in overtime
• Generous paid leave: 40 hours advanced leave upon hire, plus 11 paid holidays annually

Competitive Pay & Work-Life Balance:

• New Hire Recruitment Incentive: $2,000 , paid as $1,000 after training/independent release and $1,000 after ~6 months of continued employment
• Employee Referral Incentive: Once you join our team, you may be eligible to earn $400 for referring a Paramedic candidate who meets the program's successful-hire requirements.
• Starting salary: $56,616.46+ ($27.22/hour); $66,170.68+ with built-in overtime
• Higher starting pay for experienced EMS professionals based on years of service
• Night shift differential (+$2.00/hour), FTO pay (+$1.25/hour), degree pay (up to +$0.75/hour), and National Registry certification pay (up to +$0.50/hour)
• Longevity pay at 5 years, NC Local Government Retirement pension, and up to 3% 401(k) contribution from the County

All incentives are subject to eligibility requirements, good-standing standards, applicable taxes and withholdings, budget availability, and final approval.

Other Information:

• Advanced equipment: video laryngoscopy, IV infusion pumps, LUCAS 3 CPR devices, Hamilton T1 ventilators, and the Handtevy mobile platform
• Modern fleet: front-line ambulances less than 4 years old with Stryker Power-LOAD systems and power stretchers
• Diverse call volume 35,064 calls in 2025 served from newly constructed EMS bases across the county
• Specialty team opportunities: Bike Team, SMAT, Tactical Medic Team, Honor Guard, EMS Explorer Program, Peer Support, and more

Responsibilities:

• Administering pre-hospital medical care and psychological support to sick and injured patients
• Operating emergency vehicles
• Attending continuing education programs to maintain recertification hours
• Completing electronic patient care reports and other documentation
• Cleaning and restocking ambulances and bases
• Other assigned duties

Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and completion of a Paramedic degree or certification program; and
• Certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Excellent patient care skills with thorough knowledge of paramedic-level emergency medical protocols and the ability to properly use the appropriate equipment and supplies
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to policies/procedures
• Dedication to outstanding customer service and community focus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with a variety of individuals, including citizens, co-workers, managers, hospital staff, and other agencies
• Exceptional initiative and motivation
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of Catawba County
• Working conditions are inside/outside, and candidates must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull at least 200 pounds with a partner regularly

Preferences:

• Applicants with successful completion of BTLS, ITLS, ACLS, or PALS courses
• Applicants who are bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Hmong are encouraged to apply. Extra duty pay for bilingual skills is available upon successful test results.

Benefits:

As of 7/1/2025: You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization. Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents, with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County. To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County. New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with