EMS Technician

What You'll Be Doing

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) are responsible for the operation of emergency vehicles, biomedical equipment and other equipment necessary to provide patient and situational assessment, treatment and transport in an emergency setting. EMT’s are required to effectively interact and communicate with individuals and groups of individuals from all education levels, cultural backgrounds, belief structures, and states of health. Candidates are expected to understand scene management and be able to effectively operate within an Incident Command System. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to calmly and effectively work in high stress and emotionally charged situations.

Key Responsibilities

Understand and practice our mission statement of Prompt, Compassionate and Clinically Excellent Care

Perform patient care skills consistent with credential, utilizing liberal standing order protocols

Provide comfort and compassion to patients and family

Interview and assess patients to identify chief complaint(s) or issues, obtain relevant information from the patient, their family or care taker(s), bystanders/residents, or other sources and identify alternative solutions if necessary

Lift and carry equipment, stretchers and patients to facilitate response to and transport of patients

Safely and respectfully operate an emergency vehicle

Respond to requests for service whenever and wherever needed to include all times of day and all types of weather

Complete documentation through patient care reporting systems, electronic and paper based logs, reporting software and databases

Effectively and efficiently utilize technology such as in-vehicle navigation, laptop computers, biomedical equipment, computer aided dispatch, online education portals, high-fidelity simulators, etc.

Maintain cleanliness of equipment, vehicles and facilities and decontaminate and disinfect equipment and vehicles as needed

Regularly inventory and restock equipment and vehicles

Effectively and respectfully communicate through written, oral and visual means with all individuals and groups of individuals

Effectively work while wearing a variety of different personal protective equipment to include turnout gear, chemical protective clothing and respiratory protection

Effectively work as an individual and as a member of a team

Regularly attend and participate in training

Participate in community outreach and public education events

Participate in various department specific committees regarding decisions on protocols, equipment, vehicles, uniforms, etc.

NOTES

A criminal background and driving record check will be conducted, and pre-employment drug test is required

Hazmat Gear Requirements: Due to the unpredictability of the hazards encountered in the course of work, the applicant must be able to successfully fit test in, wear and perform essential job functions in respiratory personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, NIOSH-certified N95/P100 air-purifying respirators and a full-face tight-fitting respirator with the appropriate air-purifying cartridge. Applicant must also be able to wear and perform essential job functions in Level C personal protective equipment (Full Tyvek suit, chemical-resistant gloves and chemical-resistant boots.)

Physical Requirements: During the first week of the Wake County EMS New Hire Academy, EMT Recruits must demonstrate a minimum level of physical ability and fitness by successfully completing the Wake County EMS Physical Ability Test (EMS-PAT). The purpose of this physical test is to simulate and evaluate an employee’s ability to perform the minimum physical requirements of the job. The test is performed solo (i.e., tasks that would traditionally require two employees have been modified so they can be completed by one employee), the events are performed continuously and there is a time limit of 7 minutes and 5 seconds. The events in the test consist of unbuckling a seatbelt and exiting a vehicle from the driver’s seat; stretcher lift simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); stretcher movement with equipment 100ft (50ft down and 50ft back) over curb stops bolt to the floor; stretcher stair carry simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); equipment lift and place; equipment movement/transfer (which includes kneeling 8 times); patient drag (using a 150-lb manikin strapped to a backboard) a total of 100ft; chest compressions (2 minutes of chest compressions at a rate of 120 a minute); repeat stretcher movement; climbing into the back of ambulance through side door.

Applications accepted at this time (6/22/2026 through 8/30/2026) are for the Wake County EMS Fall 2026 Assessment Center. The assessment center will be conducted virtually for the interview (Phase 1) and will progress to the in-person testing and simulation (Phase 2), upon review and evaluation of the virtual interview. The in-person assessment will be conducted at our Emergency Services Education Center located at 221 South Rogers Lane, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610. We will have multiple offerings of the testing and interview components throughout the months of July, August and September. As applications are processed through the Wake County Human Resources department, we will reach out via email to invite applicants to attend the assessment center. All new Wake County EMS employees are required to attend a paid academy and field training program as a condition of their employment. The first few weeks of employment will be a Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm schedule primarily consisting of classroom-based lecture and skill orientation. The next few weeks will be spent in both the classroom and ambulance (field training) setting. For the remaining months of the field training program employees will be assigned to a regular shift. Those offered employment from the WCEMS Fall 2026 Assessment Center will begin employment in October 2026 as recruits in the WCEMS Academy 52.

About Our Team

Wake County EMS is a cutting-edge emergency medical services system that is responsible for providing EMS services throughout Wake County including within each of the county’s 12 local municipalities. We have well-developed mobile integrated health (community paramedicine) and research programs. We responded to over 140,000 requests for 911 EMS services in 2025. We greatly value the enrichment we receive through diversity in our staff, and we are continuously working to enhance that diversity and create spaces where all employees can thrive.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

No specific education required

No specific experience required

North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or eligibility for such certification or

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Certification or eligibility for such certification

Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record

Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

Ability to firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles

Ability to work calmly and effectively in high stress situations and fast-paced environments

Ability to function in a physically demanding environment, requiring strength, flexibility and endurance

Ability to confidently assess dynamic situations, incorporate available facts, opinions, tangible and/or intangible factors, choose an appropriate course of action and proactively adjust course of action as each situation evolves

Ability to quickly develop relationships with patients and their families/caretakers by listening to and understanding identified medical complaints/needs and responding appropriately with clear, concise information

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to actively participate as a member of a team, to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with coworkers, fellow responders, physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers

Ability to confer with others to explore alternatives and reach resolutions or an outcome acceptable to all parties

Ability to maintain conditions that ensure a healthy and safe working environment

Ability to understand the impact and implications of decisions on the community and other departments

About This Position

Location: Public Safety Center Raleigh, NC 27601

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Rotating 12 Hour Shifts

Hiring Range: 24.37 - 30.12

Market Range: 24.37 - 35.88

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/30/2026