24/72 Paramedic/Critical Care Paramedic - Anderson County EMS

Summary of Position

Must demonstrate Competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic and Advanced Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT and Paramedic curriculum, and those skills and patient care guidelines established by Anderson County EMS (ACEMS).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Receives a call from dispatch, responds verbally to calls, able to read maps, drive an ambulance to call location either non-emergency or emergency, uses the most expeditious route and observes all traffic ordinances and regulations.

Assists in lifting, carrying and transporting patients to an ambulance and on to a medical facility.  Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care.  Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses the extent of the injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services needed, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols.

Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notifies authorities, arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene.  Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to the receiving facility, asks for medical direction as needed from an appropriately qualified physician.  Observes patient en route and administers care as directed by appropriately qualified physician or clinical operating guidelines.  Able to identify diagnostic signs (such as STEMI) that require immediate communication with the receiving facility.  Reports verbally and in writing observations about and care of the patient at the scene and en route to receiving facility provides assistance to emergency staff as required.

Replaces supplies, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulances cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gas, antifreeze level, brake fluid level, tire pressure and tire tread depth, and maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.

Accesses protected health information and other patient information only to the extent necessary to complete the duties of this job, sharing information only with those persons who have a need to know to complete their job responsibilities relating to treatment, payment, or other related county operations;

Reports any concerns regarding the ACEMS policies and procedures on patient privacy, as well as any observed practices in violation of those policies to the on-duty supervisor immediately.

Actively participates in the ACEMS training program, meeting all necessary State EMS training requirements.

Other duties and responsibilities will be managed accordingly as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: Critical Care Paramedic, Paramedic, AEMT, EMT and EMR protocols, policies and procedures and incident command system.

Skill/Ability to:  Determine nature and extent of illness or injury, measure pulse rate and quality, blood pressure, visually observe changes in skin color, able to make field determination regarding patient's presentation and physical findings from the assessment.  Establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care up to the standard of care, able to use all equipment approved through agencies clinical operating guidelines.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Current Tennessee Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic License
• ACLS
• PALS/PEPP (or other approved pediatric ALS certification)
• Current Driver’s License
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR card

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age.  Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent.  Ability to communicate verbally via telephone, radio equipment and face to face interaction.  Ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 150 lbs (300 lbs with assistance) with little to no warm-up or stretching.  Ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions.  Able to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations.  Must be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights.  Must be able to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift without interruption; ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life-threatening time constraints; ability to read English language manuals and road maps; accurately discern street signs and address numbers; ability to interview patient, family members, and bystanders; ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format; ability to converse in English with co-workers and hospital staff as to status of patient.  Good manual dexterity, with the ability to perform all tasks related to the highest quality of patient care.  Ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain for extended periods of time without relief; and the ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture.  Ability to work in low light and confined spaces.

Successfully complete mandatory orientation to both Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support departments.  Must be able to pass random and scheduled verification of skills proficiency and achievement of a passing score on written certification examinations.