Paramedic

Paramedic

The Paramedic is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position that reports directly to the assigned Battalion Chief. Paramedics are responsible for delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care at both the basic and advanced life support levels, in accordance with their Missouri Paramedic license. Clinical practice is carried out under the direction and supervision of the EMS Medical Director, while operational responsibilities are guided by departmental leadership.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associates degree preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited paramedic program.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Missouri Class "F" license driver's license.
• Valid Missouri Paramedic license.
• Must maintain continuous AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) audit within six (6) months of hire.
• Must have the following National Incident Management System certifications: ICS100, ICS200, IS700, IS800.
• Must be currently certified through a standard Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), or similar standard as approved by the Chief of Emergency Services.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Cole County Pre-Hospital Provider Certification.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows with ability to use specialized EMS computer applications.
• Skilled at developing effective working relationships with all partnering agencies, adjunct public safety entities, and emergency hospital personnel.
• Ability to use good judgment and to operate equipment and emergency vehicles in high stress and adverse conditions.
• Must be proficient in oral and written communication, including documentation of patient assessment and care.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work independently and as a team member, employ discretion and confidentiality in sensitive areas, read, interpret, and follow instructions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work daily.
• Ability to interview patients and bystanders and to document all relevant information according to departmental policy.
• Persuade others and negotiate solutions to conflicts and problems.
• Listen and integrate the ideas of others.
• Identify and resolve problems.
• Recall the response area of Cole County EMS.
• Obtain thorough knowledge of all Cole County EMS policies, procedures, and medical protocols.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative:

• Continually re-evaluates emergency care, knowledge, and techniques. Participates in EMS training classes to maintain skill and knowledge proficiency while fulfilling national and state licensure requirements.
• Participates in public relations and public education presentations. Presentations shall be conducted with a spirit of professionalism and enthusiasm. Provides tours of department facilities and vehicles/ demonstrates procedures and answers questions to increase public awareness of emergency medical care.
• Completes routine housekeeping tasks and other assigned duties including cleaning of the ambulance and crews' living quarters.
• Completes other duties as assigned by Command Staff.

Operations:

• Perform thorough patient assessments, determine nature and extent of illness or injuries, and establish priorities for emergency care in a rapid and efficient manner.
• Provides advanced life support with all the associated skills, procedures, and medications as defined in the Missouri EMS scope of practice for Paramedics and Cole County EMS protocols.
• Assess each situation to determine the best course of action and appropriate protocol utilization.
• Provide patient care according to clinical protocols and safety requirements.
• Document 100% of all patient care activities in a timely manner; such reports shall be both accurate and complete to ensure appropriate information and data collection points are recorded and available for each call.
• Develop and utilize triage skills to provide optimal efficiency during calls involving multiple patients, and ensure proper resources are requested.
• Adheres to treatment protocols as adopted by Cole County EMS.
• Adhere to all requirements of the Cole County EMS QI program regarding data collection. Support research initiatives through education involvement, participation, and thorough documentation.
• Consider patient status, insurance preferred facilities, and hospital diversion status when determining transportation destinations.
• Communicate with receiving facility and medical control to receive medical direction and provide critical information.
• Display a professional, courteous appearance.
• Diligently adhere to the protection of Personal Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
• Act as team leader and take primary responsibility for scene management and patient care.
• Communicate with patients and bystanders to provide information as needed.
• Monitor and maintain the general condition of the ambulance.
• Coach and educate co-workers of new and changing information as necessary.
• Respond quickly and safely to the scene of an accident or illness. Drive the ambulance with safety and due regard.
• Adhere to all EMS department policies and practices.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief of EMS or designee.

Physical Demands

Physical activities required on the job include:

• Regularly (over 70% of the time) sitting, talking, and hearing (i.e., meetings, public speaking engagements, etc.).
• Frequently (41% to 70% of the time) grasping, standing, walking, and driving.
• Occasionally (1% to 40% of the time) feeling attributes of objects, reaching with hands/arms, stooping and kneeling, climbing, or balancing, and repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement.

Job requires ability to lift and/or exert force as follows:

• Regularly (over 70% of the time) lifts up to 25 pounds.
• Frequently (41% to 70%) lifts up to 75 pounds.
• Occasionally (15% to 40%) lifts up to 100 pounds.
• Rarely (less than 15%) lifts over 100 pounds.

Visual activities required on the job include:

• Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more and 20 inches or less.
• Three-dimensional vision—ability to judge distance and space relationships.
• Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.
• Ability to see up and down or to right or left while fixed on point.
• Concentrated attention with regards to writing and preparing various written communications.
• While on a call the job requires exposure to any of the following environmental conditions:
• Frequently (50% to 75%) exposed to outdoor weather conditions
• Rarely (5% to 10%) exposed to extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), subject to oils (mechanical or food)
• Occasionally (25% to 40%) work in hazardous traffic.
• The noise that is experienced on the job is a moderate noise level (i.e., office with computers and/or computer printers and clinical equipment).

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This role requires the ability to maintain a high level of physical fitness to carry out essential EMS and rescue functions. Duties involve sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing, balancing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching in a variety of environments and situations. The employee may be required to lift, carry, drag, push, or pull individuals and equipment weighing up to 180 pounds with assistance, and occasionally more during emergency operations. Essential tasks include performing continuous chest compressions, moving patients in confined or hazardous spaces, and operating stretchers, gurneys, and other transport devices over uneven terrain and obstacles.

The position requires work in hazardous and unpredictable environments, including the ability to wear and operate in personal protective equipment such as turnout gear and respiratory protection for extended periods of time. Sufficient cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditioning is necessary to perform rescues, climb ladder