Community Health Paramedic (CRT)

Community Health Paramedic

The Community and Public Health Division of the CSFD (Colorado Springs Fire Department) is hiring a paramedic for the CRT (Community Response Team). In this special (at-will) position, you will provide medical and administrative assistance to support CSFD's Mobile Integrated Health initiatives. You may also provide primary care and/or advanced life support, including medical evaluation, treatment, and stabilization of the critically ill, injured and indigent populations with the goal of reducing morbidity.

Work hours are shift-based. The hours of operation are:

• CRT1; Sunday through Wednesday, 9:00am to 7:00pm
• CRT2; Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00am to 7:00pm
• CRT3; Sunday through Wednesday, 2:00pm to 12:00am
• CRT4; Wednesday through Saturday, 2:00pm to 12:00am

This is a grant funded position. Current grant funding for this position runs through June 2027 with continued funding currently being pursued.

Essential Job Functions - the basic job duties an employee must be able to perform:

• Conduct Point of Care testing; draw blood and interpret blood chemistries; obtain urine samples and interpret drug and pregnancy results; and interpret EKG (electrocardiogram) charts
• Determine underlying medical issues to be addressed prior to a psychological evaluation
• Assist police/fire units and community agencies by assisting citizens in crisis (i.e., suicidal, psych patient calls, or related irregular behavior calls); assist with psych evaluation requests; receive/take calls from the State Crisis Hotline line; and perform self-initiated follow-ups
• Drive/operate emergency medical vehicles in emergency/non-emergency situations; assist with transport determination of patients to appropriate receiving facility
• Support existing health services by providing integrated health services in partnership with other health professionals
• Extend access to health services delivery in underserved and general populations, including primary care, public health, disease management, prevention and wellness, and mental and dental health
• Screen, treat, and coordinate health services for patients; conduct post-hospital release follow-up care including, monitoring medication and checking vital signs; and provide emergent patient care
• Observe, record, and report patients' conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents to physician
• Administer patient care consistent with department protocols and physician orders
• Coordinate appointments and follow-ups with physicians and hospitals
• Develop and complete appropriate reports/templates for CARES (Community Assistance Referral and Education Services)
• Effectively speak and present information before groups of customers, employees, and/or boards of directors
• Write routine reports and correspondence
• Read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals
• Respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and members of the business community

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

Knowledge of:

• Organizational objectives, procedures, policies, and regulations
• Modern office procedures, technology, software (Microsoft Office and Electronic Health Records), and equipment
• Patient care reporting and basic medical terminology

Ability to:

• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists
• Interpret and apply common sense understanding to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions while dealing with several abstract and concrete variables in problem solving
• Prioritize tasks and deadlines and apply critical thinking skills to address conflicting priorities
• Demonstrate strong reasoning, interpersonal, language, and math skills
• Read and interpret documents such as protocols, physician orders, safety rules, and operating and maintenance instruction procedure manuals
• Read and interpret a variety of documents and instructions such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Demonstrate effective leadership, human resource development, customer service, and project management skills
• Assume responsibility without direct supervision, exercise initiative and judgment, and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority
• Understand the multifaceted and interactive effects of personal and environmental factors that determine behaviors and identify leverage points for health and wellness promotion
• Communicate and work effectively with others and to maintain confidentiality
• Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; use the functions to perform and instruct others on performance of medication calculations

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or GED
• One year of full-time EMT-P (Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic) experience
• Possess a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• Possess current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and State of Colorado or National Registry EMT-P certifications

One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Medicaid/Medicare eligibility requirements
• Experience as a Community Paramedic with the aim of improving care and population health and reducing costs

Additional Information:

This position will require some evening, holiday, and weekend shifts. Physical Demands: This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, 25 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly. This position may also require walking several hours per day in various terrains. Environmental Conditions Primary Work Environment - Office/field environment with travel from site to site Extreme Temperature - Possible exposure to inclement weather Wetness and Humidity - Seasonally Respiratory Hazards - Never Noise and Vibrations - Never Physical Hazards - Several times per month Mechanical and/or Electrical Hazards - Rarely Exposure to Communicable Diseases - Frequently