Community Paramedic

Community Paramedic

South Metro Fire Rescue is accepting internal and external applications for a Community Paramedic. The ideal candidate will be self-directed, adaptable, and able to integrate effectively with line personnel while maintaining the independent, patient-centered focus of a Public Health model. All candidates are required to submit a resume and cover letter with their application.

The Community Paramedic position provides advanced life support (ALS) care and community-based clinical services for South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) through a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) / Community Paramedicine model. The Community Paramedic performs patient assessment, treatment, patient education, care planning, and care coordination in non-emergent and emergent settings, including patient homes, clinics, shelters, and long-term care facilities, under the direction of the Medical Director and established protocols. This position is not assigned to fire suppression duties and does not require firefighter certification; however, the role may operate alongside fire and rescue resources as needed.

Conducts comprehensive patient assessments (medical, behavioral health, geriatric, pediatric, and other program-relevant screening) and obtains accurate histories during scheduled and unscheduled community encounters.

Develops, implements, and documents patient-centered care plans within MIH/Community Paramedicine program guidelines, including follow-up schedules, monitoring goals, escalation pathways, and risk mitigation.

Provides ALS interventions within authorization and scope, including focused assessments, diagnostic interpretation, medication administration per protocol, IV/IO access as indicated, and other MIH/Community Paramedicine-approved clinical procedures.

Performs medication reconciliation, identifies adherence barriers, and provides patient/caregiver education on medication safety and disease self-management.

Conducts post-discharge follow-ups and transitions-of-care visits to reduce readmissions and prevent avoidable 911 utilization.

Identifies and addresses social determinants of health (housing, food insecurity, transportation, access to care, and financial barriers) through referrals and linkage to appropriate community resources.

Coordinates care with hospitals, primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, public health, home health, hospice, and social service partners to strengthen continuity of care.

Participates in multidisciplinary case reviews, program meetings, and partner coordination; communicates clinical findings and recommendations clearly and professionally.

Provides BLS/ALS patient care on 911 or other assigned responses as needed; supports treatment planning, transport decision-making, and patient advocacy.

Completes timely, accurate, and defensible documentation in ESO and any approved MIH/Community Paramedicine tracking platforms, including assessments, care plans, referrals, follow-up outcomes, and required data elements.

Maintains vehicle and equipment readiness through checks, cleaning, restocking, and equipment function verification; reports equipment issues and initiates corrective actions.

Safely operates SMFR vehicles in compliance with EVOS standards, traffic laws, and SMFR driving policies; applies safe positioning and scene risk management practices during responses and community visits.

Participates in training, clinical skills verification, and quality improvement activities; supports a Just Culture approach and contributes to program/process improvements.

Maintains professional conduct, customer service, ethical standards, and confidentiality; demonstrates cultural humility and effective communication with diverse patients and partners.

Education, Experience, Licenses & Certifications (An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying.)

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED is required.

Prior paramedic field experience.

Ability to successfully complete SMFR orientation and any required MIH/Community Paramedicine onboarding and field training program.

Preferred Qualifications

Two (2) or more years of 911 paramedic experience in a high-volume system.

MIH/Community Paramedicine experience.

Instructor credentials (AHA, EMS education) or experience mentoring/coaching clinicians.

FEMA/ICS coursework (ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800) completed.

Experience supporting documentation quality, data tracking, or outcomes reporting (QI/QA support).

Licenses & Certifications

Current Colorado Paramedic certification (or ability to obtain prior to start date).

Colorado Community Paramedic credential OR International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) Community Paramedic certification. Must be acquired within 1 year of hire if not initially certified upon hire.

Current National Registry Paramedic (NRP) certification preferred.

Current AHA BLS Provider certification (required).

Current AHA ACLS Provider certification (required).

AHA PALS Provider (required within agency-specified timeframe if not held at hire).

Valid Colorado driver's license and ability to meet SMFR driving standards.

EVOS/CEVO (or equivalent emergency vehicle operator training) required within agency-specified timeframe if not held at hire.

Ability to meet all medical, fitness, and immunization requirements for duty; must pass SMFR physical ability/fitness standards as applicable.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to perform thorough patient assessments and make sound clinical decisions in non-emergent and emergent settings, including independent home-visit environments.

Ability to build rapport, educate effectively, and support behavior change using patient-centered communication approaches.

Demonstrated experience with discharge follow-up, frequent utilizer programs, alternative destination coordination, or community outreach.

Ability to recognize risk, ensure scene safety in community settings, and apply de-escalation and professional boundaries when appropriate.

Ability to provide accurate, complete, and legally defensible documentation and maintain confidentiality, including ESO ePCR completion.

Strong organizational skills (time management, scheduling, follow-up completion, referral coordination, and documentation timeliness).

Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary partners and represent SMFR professionally in the community.

Ability to coordinate care across healthcare, behavioral health, and community service systems while navigating complex patient needs and social determinants of health.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Public Health Program Manager with clinical oversight from the Medical Director or designee.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Equipment and Systems

Requires frequent use of SMFR vehicles, medical equipment, mobile computers, ESO, Julota, telephones, and other office and field-based technology.

Physical Demands

Maintain appropriate personal fitness to safely perform essential job functions and meet SMFR physical ability requirements.

Regularly required to climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push, pull, lift, and carry patients and equipment.

Ability to lift, move, and carry loads consistent with patient movement tasks and equipment handling requirements; ability to operate in confined or uneven spaces (including patient homes).

Vision and hearing abilities sufficient to operate vehicles, interpret monitor/defibrillator displays, and communicate effectively in noisy environments.

Work Environment and General Information

Work is performed in varied community environments (homes, shelters, clinics, and facilities) and may include outside conditions and variable hours as assigned.

May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials during patient care activities.

May work in dynamic incident scenes as assigned (e.g., traffic, hazardous conditions, fires, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquids, solvents, and oils).

Noise level is usually moderate but may be loud during emergency response activities.

Benefits

South Metro Fire Rescue's compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such, SMFR's compensation is more than base pay. All regular full-time SMFR employees enjoy a total compensation package including base wages, leave accruals, medical, dental, vision and life insurance employer-paid premiums, Retiree Health Savings, Death & Disability, and employer-paid pension contributions as well as positive work culture including a robust Fitness, Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, educational opportunities and support, job security and other positive non-monetary values which are intended to collectively position SMFR as an employer of choice in its geographic area. SMFR recognizes that being an employer of choice has different meanings to different people depending on what elements a person highly values. But SMFR's overall goal is to be a great place to work.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.