EMS Community Paramedic

Community Paramedic

Performs community health outreach, medication compliance, illness and injury prevention activities; facilitate patient use of alternative transportation methods (non-ambulance) and alternative treatment options (besides the hospital emergency department). Responds to substance abuse and mental health scenes to provide treatment and other resources to patients and families. Provide additional assistance to high acuity calls for service, allowing for better quality of care for the most critical patients.

Possession of advanced clinical knowledge and skills, response to and provide leadership at the most critical EMS calls, application of advanced clinical competencies, utilization of alternate health care delivery pathways facilitated by superior interpersonal communication and education skills. When not responding to emergency calls, undertake activities to reduce the need for chronically ill patients to call 911 through improved compliance with prescribed treatment regimens, conduct home visits to reduce the incidence of traumatic injuries, and attend non-critical calls in the assigned district to promote, encourage, and facilitate use of health care services more appropriate to the needs of the patient other than the hospital emergency department.

Work is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, extremes in temperatures, noise, and vibration, hazards associated with emergency medical work including exposures to fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and oils. Because of the nature of the work, the employee is exposed to human blood and is subject to OSHA requirements on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed of general supervision of the Emergency Services Director and the Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services and is evaluated through conferences, observations, reports and feedback from citizens and staff.

Advanced Patient Care and Assists with On-scene Direction of High Acuity Medical Calls - Integrates with other emergency responders and provide assistance and/or direction on the scene of high acuity calls; perform advanced life support skills utilizing liberal standing order protocols as well as advance decision making skills to guide patient care; interview and assess patients for injury and illness; lift and carry equipment, stretchers, and patients; complete documentation utilizing a computer based reporting system.

Community Health Outreach and Injury Prevention- Respond to citizen's homes to provide patient education directly related to medical conditions and evaluate living spaces for hazards to include but not limited to falls, poisoning, blood glucose checks, blood pressure checks, etc. Community Paramedics will be required to develop plans to assist patients (or clients) with improving health status, such as residential fall prevention plans, medication compliance plans, and follow-up visit plans. These plans will be in the nature of patient care plans developed by nurses and social workers.

Response Readiness and Emergency Response - Daily evaluation of assigned emergency vehicle and equipment response worthiness, inventory and restocking of medical supplies. Operate an emergency vehicle in emergency mode (lights and sirens) and in non-emergency mode during all hours of the day and night in all types of traffic and weather conditions.

Training, Presentations, and Quality Assurance - Daily review of equipment, protocols and procedures; Continuing education training classes. Assist with presentation to both medical professionals as well as the general public. Perform daily quality assurance reviews of critical cases and cases where patients were referred to alternative destinations and alternative transportation modalities.

Considerable knowledge of procedures and techniques for administering emergency medical care

Considerable knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Considerable knowledge of training techniques and adult learning

Considerable knowledge of equipment and materials utilized in providing emergency medical care

Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with a wide variety of personnel

Ability to accurately record services provided

Ability to administer necessary medical care under stressful conditions

Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of program activities

Ability to maintain confidentiality of patients and students

Ability to work independently

Possess leadership skills

High level of experience with high acuity calls

Excellent decision-making skills

The ideal candidate for the Community Paramedic position must possess a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of two years of experience as a certified Paramedic, demonstrating proficiency in emergency medical services. Candidates must have completed NIMS courses 100, 200, 700, and 800 to support effective emergency management and coordination. Internal candidates must have a performance evaluation from their most recent review that meets or exceeds expectations, reflecting strong professional competence, leadership, and reliability in high-pressure environments.

Candidates must hold a current North Carolina Paramedic certification and have the ability to obtain additional certifications and training, including the completion of credentialed Community Paramedic Training Program, and CIT course completion within county-specified time frames. A valid North Carolina driver's license is required.