Paramedic I

Paramedic I

Salary Range w/FLSA OT - $60,270 - $68,190

The purpose of this classification is to perform technical and specialized work functions associated with providing quality medical care to all members of the community in the event of medical emergencies, natural disasters, hazardous situations, environmental emergencies, motor vehicle accidents and other life and death situations, educating the community on emergency medical procedures, and meeting the established goals of the Emergency Medical Services organization. Position requires working 24 on and 48 hours off.

Essential Functions

• Responds to emergency calls relayed by dispatchers; reads maps; drives ambulance to emergency site; uses most expeditious route and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.

• Observes and assists, as a Paramedic trainee, licensed Paramedics perform emergency medical care; receives instructions and training from senior Paramedics.

• Evaluates scene upon arrival; determines nature and extent of illness or injury; takes pulse, blood pressure, and visually observes changes in skin color; makes determination regarding patient status by interpreting diagnostic signs.

• Establishes priority for emergency care; initiates basic and advanced life support procedures according to established standing orders.

• Provides rehydration/rehabilitation and medical treatment to victims, firefighters and/or other personnel at the scene as necessary.

• Renders appropriate emergency care, based on competency level, to stabilize the patient such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, providing oxygen, triage, and administration of intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by physician; assesses the effects of treatment.

• Uses medical equipment, based on competency level, such as but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient; inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient's blood circulation.

• Follows infectious disease protocol; practices proper disposal of biohazard waste.

• Extricates patient from entrapment; assesses extent of injury; uses prescribed techniques and appliances.

• Radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services; requests/provides flight rescue service if required; provides additional emergency care while following established protocols.

• Establishes clear helicopter landing zone for air ambulance transport of patient. Complies with regulations in handling deceased; notifies authorities; arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene.

• Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported; reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to that facility; requests instructions/directions from hospital physician or emergency department Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to ambulance and on to a medical facility.

• Observes patient en route and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department or according to published protocol; identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility.

• Reports verbally and in writing observations about and care of patient at the scene and in-route to facility; provides assistance to emergency staff as required; documents all activity conducted in assigned position.

• Prepares for, attends, and testifies in courtroom hearings and judicial proceedings as required. Prepares, decontaminates, inspects, inventories, repairs, and/or maintains medical equipment and supplies, first aid materials, and vehicles for safe operation; tests all equipment on a regular basis and checks for future readiness.

• Communicates effectively and coherently over two-way radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications. Responds to questions, complaints and requests for information/assistance from the general public, patients, fire, law enforcement, and medical personnel, various agencies, employees, officials, supervisors, or other individuals.

• Inventories and restocks ambulance and station supplies and equipment; orders and maintains sufficient amount to ensure adequate availability to perform daily tasks.

• Attends in-service training as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing emergency medicine techniques, state/municipal policies, procedures, codes and laws.

• Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within county jurisdiction.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• May perform specific tasks associated with specialized training such as fire suppression, crewing for or piloting air transport, and/or other duties as assigned.

• Assists with community events such as offering free blood pressure readings, educating children and the public on the 911 emergency system, helmets, medical emergency procedures, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

• Performs miscellaneous duties and administrative tasks such as station cleaning and general housekeeping, scheduling maintenance, answering the telephone, taking and relaying messages, and basic grounds maintenance.

• Operates an assigned motor vehicle; maintains cleanliness of and fuels vehicle; checks tire inflation and fluid levels; requests or schedules service and/or repairs as needed.

• May be required to be on 24 hour call and/or regularly work on various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays as deemed necessary.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Resume (preferred but not required)
• Fingerprinting required.

• Must possess a National Registry Paramedic License or Florida State Paramedic License (Florida Paramedic License must be obtained within 60 days of employment if the candidate only possesses a National Registry License).
• Current certificate in BLS (Basic Life Support) & ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support).
• Must attain and maintain valid EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Course) certifications; EVOC course will be provided by Collier County EMS.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license including appropriate endorsement(s) and maintain eligibility requirements to drive a county vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.
• May be required to attain and maintain other certifications as related to position or for specialized areas of assignment.

Supplemental Information

Testing Information: If you are invited to testing you will need the following original documents:

• National Registry Paramedic License or Florida Paramedic Certificate.
• Drivers License (Florida issued before first date of employment)
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) & ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support) provider cards (Expired no less than 90 days after testing).
• One passport size photograph, computer photos acceptable.

Please note that you will not be allowed to test if you do not bring the above items.

Pay for Experience /Salary Providing competitive wages based on previous experience is important for recruitment. Employees and candidates with previous years of 911 or military medical service prior to employment with Collier County EMS will be placed within the step for the years or service. To qualify for pay for Experience, the candidate and employee:

• Must produce verifiable full time EMT or Paramedic experience in a 911 pre-hospital system.
• Will be hired at the hourly rate within the Article 20 pay plan based on verifiable 911 experience, up to a maximum of five (5) years' experience.
• Will move into the next step on their anniversary date with CCEMS.
• FRS Retirement Plan Eligible

Salary offers above the minimum of the pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the County's Administrative Office will make the determination as to who will be required to work.