Paramedic #1835 - Emergency Medical Services - Public Safety Division

Paramedic

Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has a responsibility to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of a crisis, disaster, or other public emergency. Hamilton County EMS maintains a call system to store contact information and mobilize staff in the event of an emergency. All Hamilton County EMS employees are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and they are accessible should an emergency need arise. During a public emergency, all staff are required to respond should a call to mobilize be made. Please note, during a public emergency, work hours for any and all Hamilton County EMS employees are subject to modification to meet the needs of the community. This posting is for the 24/72 shift schedule. The base hours for this position are: 1,872 regular hours and 312 hours of mandatory scheduled overtime hours due to the 24/72 shift schedule. Mandatory overtime will be paid at time and a half. Under general supervision, as the lead medical staff of an ambulance or other medical transport unit, provides emergency, pre-hospital care and transportation to the critically injured or ill within the parameters of the license/certification.

Essential functions:

Stands by in readiness to respond to emergencies during a 24-hour tour of duty; responds to emergency calls; assesses situation and need for assistance; determines most effective method of emergency treatment; applies advanced life support or other appropriate treatment to victim(s)/patient(s); administers drugs; undertakes appropriate invasive procedures; advises hospital personnel of situation; transports injured or ill to hospital for treatment. Maintains records and files; maintains and re-supplies vehicle; identifies needs for additional/replacement supplies and equipment; undertakes continuous training; works with public, medical professionals and others to educate and advise of the role, capabilities and responsibilities of a paramedic. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics:

Knowledge of applicable State of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of Hamilton County policies and procedures. Knowledge of techniques, requirements and activities associated with emergency medical response. Knowledge of record keeping, records and case management. Skill in working under stressful situations, in receiving and assessing information, then making appropriate decisions for response. Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relations with staff, other departments, law enforcement, and the general public. Skill in effectively maintaining equipment, facilities, and operations. Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications. Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.

Minimum qualifications:

Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of application. Possess the equivalent of a high school diploma. Possess a current TN Paramedic License or be Nationally Registered and eligible for Tennessee licensure prior to employment. Possess current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and either International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) or equivalent trauma training. Must possess a valid driver's license, Class D in Tennessee, or the equivalent from the employee's state of residence. Safety sensitive: This position has been identified as "safety sensitive" under the definition of 49 CFR Part 40-Department of Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy. This position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing for the following: 1) post offer pre-employment 2) when there is reasonable cause 3) after an on-the-job accident or contributing to an accident 4) on a random basis 5) prior to return to duty after suspension and/or 6) as follow-up. This is additional and also subject to the Rules and Regulations of The Employee Handbook. Additional requirements: In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicants for this position must pass: 1) A physical ability test to determine their ability to perform required physical job duties; 2) A written exam determining medical knowledge and decision-making abilities; 3) An oral interview to evaluate poise, presentation and verbal skills. Must be able to obtain certification in Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided by the County and maintain certification. Incumbents must be able to obtain and retain all certifications and licenses required by the State of Tennessee. Physical requirements: Work requires good physical fitness with the ability to function effectively in heavy and cumbersome protective gear; the ability to lift and carry heavy, bulky items, equipment, materials, supplies and people weighing up to 150 pounds (300 pounds as a 2-person team) in unpredictable weather conditions over varying terrain. There is also a risk of bodily harm and potential exposure to infectious diseases, toxic fumes and chemicals. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The position requires significant physical strength and dexterity and the ability to function in very adverse environments with exposure to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes. The following is not all inclusive as other situations may arise in the required essential functions of this position. Standing/Walking: Frequently to continuously when responding to calls. Optional while at rest. Includes: going to and from the emergency vehicle, getting patients from their locations, and rendering treatment. Must also be able to run these same distances, in case of an emergency where time is of the essence. Walking and running may vary, however, as the patient may be located inside a large, multi-floored facility. Standing, walking, and running could be on all types of surfaces, including but not limited to: asphalt, cement, concrete, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, hardwood floors, etc. The individual must be able to go up and down slight inclines or declines that may be found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. Standing may occur on the wide variety of surfaces mentioned above. Standing could last from a few minutes to hours, depending on the situation. Standing could occur in the standard erect position, the kneeling or squatting position, etc. Sitting: Frequently when responding to a location, the individual will sit in the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicles are equipped with a standard installed vehicle seat. The time performing the sitting activity on a call would depend upon the specific situation. Lifting and carrying: Frequently required to lift and carry weight ranging from a few pounds up to 150 pounds individually, and up to 300 pounds as a 2-person team. Will need to lift and carry, with one team member, adult patients, lifting them from various positions (such as a bed or a chair) onto various patient movement devices, such as an ambulance stretcher, a stair chair, long back boards, etc., and then efficiently move them into an ambulance. Bending and stooping: Frequently throughout a work shift the individual will be required to bend in a range of 1 to 90 degrees or greater. The average situation will require the individual to work in a range of degree bends. This would involve: lifting a patient, lifting equipment, treating a patient at ground level, sitting on a bench located in the ambulance. This activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more. During any given call, the provider may bend and/or stoop multiple times per incident. Crouching and kneeling: Frequent crouching and kneeling may be performed when on the scene picking up equipment or assisting patients. The actual number of times this is done depends on the particular incident but may be 15 times or more for a duration up to 30 minutes or greater. Climbing: Occasionally required when climbing steps up and down with a patient on a stretcher or other device, and when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle. Generally, the climbing requires lifting and carrying heavy objects such as a stretcher or other device with a patient on it. Balancing may be required when backing down staircases. Reaching: Frequently to continuously throughout the work shift in order to review monitoring equipment, operate communication equipment, administer oxygen, and operate equipment. May also be required to reach in precarious positions, such as in a vehicle, which has been crushed in an accident, or in other confined spaces. If working inside the ambulance in route to a medical facility, will need to reach to access the patient and supplies. Reaching will involve partial to full extension of the arms. Pushing and pulling: Frequent activities that would require the most force in pushing and pulling when removing or returning a stretcher to the emergency vehicle, with and without a patient on the stretcher. The weight required to push/pull will vary, depending on the weight on the gurney. Slight pushing will be required if the incumbent is performing CPR, which can require repetitive pushing and may range from a few minutes to hours. Pushing and pulling is required when operating and closing vehicle doors. Handling or grasping: Continuously while working at any given location, continual bilateral gross manipulation is performed in this position. This may be involved when: opening/closing doors; and using, handling, carrying and/or operating medical equipment boxes that may weigh approximately fifty (50) pounds or more, stretcher rails, various handles attached to equipment, and tools. The arm and hand must be able to perform all types of positions, including supination and pronation. Hyperextension, extension, and flexion of the fingers will be involved, ulnar and radial deviation, abduction, and adduction of the hand and wrist will be required. A wide variety of grasping will be required, such as cylindrical grasping, palmer grasping, hook grasping, tip grasping, and lateral grasping and spherical grasping. Hazards: Employees in this position can be exposed to dust, fumes, gases, fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, and chemicals when responding to emergencies. Therefore