Mobile Integrated Health Community Paramedic - Grant Funded

MIH Community Paramedic

This position is currently grant-funded through the North Carolina Office of EMS Rural Health Transformation Program with federal funding provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 100% of the scope of work performed in this role will be in the Rural Health Transformation Program. At this time, funding is secured through September 30, 2027. The MIH Community Paramedic role is to address urgent and emergent behavioral health needs, substance use disorder needs, and high utilizers of EMS services within our community. This position will use the paramedic scope and specialized training to provide a whole-person approach to care. The MIH Community Paramedic will function as a co-responder with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The team will work to connect individuals who call 911 for behavioral health or substance use disorder needs to the most appropriate level of care while addressing social determinants of health barriers, including housing instability, transportation limitations, healthcare access, food insecurity, and other identified needs. The program will also coordinate wraparound and recovery support services when appropriate to improve long-term treatment engagement and continuity of care.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the EMS Director, the MIH Community Paramedic will:

• Monitor emergency communications and self-dispatch to calls involving mental health and substance use-related concerns, as well as high utilizers of EMS services. Additional referrals will originate from EMS personnel, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, hospitals, behavioral health providers, or community partners familiar with the program's capabilities.
• Complete needs assessment and obtain consent for treatment.
• Support development, coordination, and delivery of MIH services.
• Participate in the submission of program data through the NCOEMS data platform and prepare bi-monthly data reports.
• Operate Monday through Friday for 40 hours per week.
• Establish follow-up procedures for individuals identified outside normal operating hours. For example, individuals who experience a nonfatal overdose and refuse transport or leave against medical advice may receive scheduled follow-up from the team to encourage treatment engagement, connect them to appropriate services, and reduce the risk of recurrent overdose.
• Increase access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through field administration of medications such as suboxone, strengthen behavioral health crisis response, and better integrate services into EMS systems of care.
• Participate in the monthly Alamance Behavioral Health Center oversight committee.
• Participate in the county's Justice Advisory Council, which focuses on reducing justice involvement through upstream intervention strategies related to behavioral health and substance use disorders.
• Participate in the crisis continuum committee. The Alamance Crisis Continuum Committee works to strengthen the local mental health and substance use crisis response system by maximizing existing community resources, improving coordination among providers, and addressing identified service gaps.
• Participate in the Victim's Advocacy Council of Alamance and the Elder Justice Coordinated Community Response committees.
• Work with the MIH program consultant to implement and develop the MIH program.
• Complete patient care reports and MIH care reports by collecting patient information to document care provided, services referred, and MIH program data reporting.
• Operate MIH Community Paramedic response vehicle in non-emergency and emergency response.
• Maintain organization of MIH Community Paramedic equipment, supplies, and educational resources.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency EMS calls for service in MIH Community Paramedic response vehicle in times of system overload.
• Complete Alamance County EMS Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) to be released as an independently functioning Alamance County Paramedic.
• Complete Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, MOUD, Chronic Disease Management, and De-escalation training.
• Complete Crisis Intervention Team training within Alamance County.
• Complete Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) training.
• Complete all training assigned by the Alamance County EMS Training Officer and EMS Director.
• Will act as a paramedic both on a quick response vehicle as well as on the ambulance when needed.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must possess High School diploma or GED.
• Five years of experience as a Paramedic level provider.
• Certification by the State of North Carolina as a Paramedic.
• Physically able to function as a Paramedic as part of a two-person ambulance crew or single person quick response vehicle.
• Valid NC Driver's License.

Skills & Abilities

Thorough knowledge of advanced life support and emergency medical procedures and techniques. Thorough knowledge of the equipment and supplies employed in the emergency care of patients and victims of accidents or trauma. Considerable knowledge of the geographical layout of the county and city, including the locations of roads and streets within the county. Considerable knowledge of radio communications equipment. Skill in applying BLS and ALS techniques and treatment. Good communication skills. Ability to work well with the public and co-workers. Willing to successfully complete Mobile Integrated Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Behavioral Health training when offered. Willing to attend professional development classes and training when offered. Ability to handle stressful situations and remain calm in a crisis. Ability to be a team leader. Ability to multitask. Ability to communicate successfully with various people and personalities.

Physical Demands Stand F Walk F Sit F Manually Manipulate C Reach Outward F Reach Above Shoulder O Climb O Crawl O Squat or Kneel O Bend O Talk/Hear C See C Taste/Smell O Lift/Carry 10 lbs. or less F 11-20 lbs. F 21-50 lbs. F 51-100 lbs. O Over 100 lbs. O Push/Pull 12 lbs. or less F 13-25 lbs. F 26-40 lbs. F 41-100 lbs. F Other Physical Requirements Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral) WORK ENVIRONMENT While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

Benefits

Health Insurance - Full-time employees are eligible for medical/health (Cigna Insurance) benefits upon the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. Alamance County Government currently offers three plans of medical/pharmacy benefit options including 2 Standard PPO plans and a High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA. Dental Benefit - Alamance County offers one dental insurance (Delta Dental) plan for FT employees at no cost. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Vision Insurance - A voluntary vision program (Superior Vision) is available to FT employees. The current PPO style plan allows employees to seek treatment and hardware from any vision care provider of their choice. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Coverage must be elected within your first 30 days of FT employment or upon a qualifying event. Voluntary Benefits: Alamance County Government provides a variety of voluntary health related benefits (Voya) to allow employees to purchase protection from what life may bring. A sampling of voluntary benefits includes Flexible Spending Accounts with dependent care opportunities, Health Saving Account with an employer contribution, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Cancer Protection Plan, Group Critical Care Insurance and more. Life Insurance Basic term life insurance is the amount of one times the annual salary (no greater than $70,000) is provided for all FT employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deductions for employee and eligible dependents. Retirement Benefits - Membership in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (NCLGERS) is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees (working more than 1,000 hours annually). Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. Time Off Accruals: Vacation Time Annual Leave is accrued based on years of service. Employees can accrue from 10-25 days per year. Sick Time All County full time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year. County Observed Holidays Alamance County will observe the State of North Carolina Holiday Schedule. Wellness Benefits & Programming: Employee Assistance Program: There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. The confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a local provider can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling and dependent care resources. Best of all it's free for County employees and available for your household to utilize. Utilization of the EAP