EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Emergency Medical Technician

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking motivated and compassionate individuals to join the Behavioral Health team as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). An EMT with the Behavioral Health team provides care to patients at locations in the community such as on the street, train platforms or bus stops, private residences, community centers, and other locations in the community. The EMT partners with other behavioral health first responders to respond to persons experiencing a crisis or problem related to unmet mental health, substance use, physical health, or social needs. The EMTs may also need to provide basic life support care to patients in an emergency or crisis situation, including the use of basic medical equipment. An EMT has the skills to assess a patient's condition and to stabilize emergencies such as those related to respiratory, cardiac, or trauma incidents. CDPH's behavioral health response will continue to evolve and EMTs must have the ability and capacity to evolve with our system. In addition, EMTs will utilize a patient-centered approach to care and understand social circumstances that impact patient presentations.

Essential duties include:

• Responding to 911 calls and other crisis lifelines with an identified behavioral health component and providing crisis assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, safety planning, referrals, and linkage to care services for residents.
• Interacting and collaborating with public safety departments and first responders to "assist" requests from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) as well as contacting CFD for medical emergencies.
• Conducting proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders who may have unaddressed behavioral health or social service needs.
• Delivering services that are compassionate, trauma-informed, and attentive to the particular needs and values of each patient.
• Performing patient care assessments and maintaining accurate and timely clinical medical records consistent with CDPH, Region 11, and City of Chicago standards.
• Assessing vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, pulse oximetry).
• Providing basic prehospital medical care to patients.
• Navigating the Chicago area healthcare system including appropriate transport of patients to mental health facilities, emergency departments, and alternate destinations for further stabilization.
• Operating and maintaining City vehicles for emergency response and day to day operations.
• Participating in team and departmental meetings, in-services, and supervisory sessions as required.

Location: 1920 S Western Ave Chicago, IL 60608 *Due to the nature of this position, this role is expected to work primarily in the field* Days: Monday - Friday Hours: 7:00AM - 3:000PM OR 2:30PM - 10:30PM *Hours and days are subject to change based on program needs*

Minimum qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED
• Current CPR certification
• Current State of Illinois EMT or Paramedic license
• Credentialing under Region 11, Chicago EMS Systems including EMS System Entry and all required EMS Continuing Education updates for maintenance once hired
• Valid State of Illinois driver's license is required
• Pass a background check

Preferred qualifications:

• Previous experience as an EMT or other healthcare professional
• Previous experience providing services to persons experiencing a mental health or substance related crisis
• Experience working in a high-stress environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathetic and compassionate patient-centered approach to interactions
• Effectiveness, versatility and action-oriented mindset
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous experience with patients living with serious and persistent mental illness
• Previous experience working with multidisciplinary teams
• Bi-lingual Spanish is a plus