Paramedic

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A paraprofessional position responsible for rendering advanced pre-hospital life support functions, other emergency care and rescue services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following statements describe the principal functions of the job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

• Provides Basic and Advanced Life Support care (in compliance with Chapter 401 Florida Statutes, and Chapter 10D-66, F.A.C.) according to the established County E.M.S. Procedures Manual and applicable Protocols and Standing Orders, to persons in need of medical attention.

• Administers pre-hospital emergency rescue and medical services, and advanced life support. Under supervision of a licensed physician, protocol and standing orders, performs the following: defibrillate a pulseless, non-breathing patient; administers intravenous electrolyte or glucose solutions; performs gastric suction by intubation; endotracheal intubation; esophageal intubation; administers parenteral injections as allowed by emergency medical services rules and/or as deemed necessary by the ALS Medical Director.

• Occasionally fills in as an EMT on a BLS unit as directed by the EMS Supervisor and/or Director. Serves as an ambulance driver as needed.

• Handles emergency and non-emergency patient transfers as assigned, including both in-county and out-of-county.

• Completes necessary written reports, including patient reports, patient bills, and daily team and unit reports, in a timely, accurate fashion.

• Cleans and maintains ambulance and equipment on a daily basis, including maintaining required inventory of ambulance supplies and equipment.

• Keeps assigned station clean.

• Maintains a professional and safe unit and work area adhering to established safety policies and the image desired for the organization.

• Consistently follows Board policies and procedures.

• Responds productively to change and performs all other related tasks as directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and the use of other life-sustaining equipment and practices.

• Knowledge of safety and comfort measures and methods in the handling and treatment of patients.

• Knowledge and skill in defensive driving methods.

• Ability to become familiar with the roadway/highway systems within Highlands County.

• Knowledge of Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency calls.

• Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to make sound judgments.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Ability to adhere to physician instructions, protocols and standing orders.

• Ability and skill to perform minor maintenance repairs on an ambulance.

• Must have legible handwriting.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers, supervisors, directors, elected officials, vendors, and the general public.

PHYSICAL SKILLS:

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and frequent exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, lifting independently in excess of 125 pounds (or combined weight of 250 pounds) and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting and occasionally requires tasting or smelling and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Must hold a current valid Florida Commercial Driver’s License. Must have acceptable personal/professional driving history verifiable through State Driver's License Office.

OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Disaster Essential.

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Does not Discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability/handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics or any other legally protected group/class. We are proud to be a drug free workplace. Screening tests for illegal drug use may be required as a condition of employment