Paramedic - Acadian Ambulance Service

JOB SUMMARY: Provide appropriate, efficient and timely pre-hospital advanced, intermediate and basic life support care and transportation of the sick and injured in accordance with local, state, national and Acadian Ambulance standards of practice.

EQUIPMENT:  Ambulance; stretcher; folding stretcher; scoop stretcher; long spine boards and KED; spinal immobilization equipment; radios and computerized communications equipment; splinting devices; suction devices; bandaging materials; oxygen bottles and tubings; basic and advanced airway management devices; glucometer; intravenous fluid therapy equipment; cardiac monitor / defibrillator; pulse oximeter; fire extinguisher; simple extrication devices; simple mechanics tools; blood pressure cuff and stethoscope; patient restraints; simple traction devices; other medical and related equipment items not specifically listed may be added as new items are introduced.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Except as specifically noted, the following functions are considered essential to this position.

• Conducts a careful examination of the patient for signs and symptoms of illness/injury and assists other medical personnel as necessary.
• Administers prompt and efficient basic, intermediate and advanced life support care within the limits of licensure or certification and in accordance with approved protocols prior to and during transport.
• Provides careful handling of the patient to and from the ambulance.
• Provides safe and efficient transport of the patient in the ambulance to the medical facility.
• Provides a safe and efficient transfer of patient and patient care information to the receiving personnel at the destination.
• Documents all aspects of patient condition and treatment on EMS run reports.  Obtains and records non-medical patient information as required.  Completes other patient documentation and forms as required.
• Conducts regular unit inventory and equipment testing to ensure all equipment for which the paramedic is responsible is present, clean and in proper working order.
• Upon completion of transport, responsible for all assigned duties which will place the ambulance and equipment back in service.
• Responsible for full knowledge of the ambulance’s equipment and its proper use at all times.
• Documents and reports all needed repairs to the proper maintenance departments (electronic or mechanical) as well as to supervisors and other ambulance personnel as required.
• In the absence of other qualified personnel, responsible for the use of basic extrication tools and procedures to gain access to the patient if necessary.
• In the absence of other qualified personnel, responsible for controlling the patient’s surroundings in such a way as to minimize further danger and control the actions of bystanders.
• In both the emergency and non-emergency setting, operates / drives the ambulance in a safe and efficient manner, following company driving guidelines, so the safety or condition of the occupants are not compromised.
• Follows all FCC regulations when communicating via electronic communications equipment.
• Attends all mandatory meetings as scheduled.   
• Completes assigned station and station grounds duties.
• Orders supplies and equipment from Central Supply to replenish station and ambulance inventories as needed.
• Completes assigned ambulance duties (i.e., washing, waxing, interior and exterior cleaning, etc.) as required.
• Completes all required company reports and logs and when necessary provides other ambulance and supervisory personnel with the information.
• As an approved Field Training Officer, you are responsible for training new employees as directed.
• As an approved Field Training officer, you are responsible for precepting EMT-Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic students as directed.
• Must meet and fulfill the qualifications, requirements, functions and responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic and Intermediate job descriptions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

These duties, responsibilities, requirements, and conditions are not intended to be all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties, responsibilities, requirements and conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical activities and the amount of time spent performing each while on this job:

Weight lifting requirements and the amount of time spent lifting on this job:

Vision requirements:

Specific job duties which require the physical demands noted above:

Lifting of patient from beds or emergency scenes onto stretcher and into ambulance; carrying of patients and equipment; climbing stairs or steps; working in unusual geographic settings such as ditches, hills, embankments, high elevations – natural or manmade; working with small, delicate items such as IV catheters and setups, medications, endotracheal tubes, monitor switches, etc.; visually assessing the safety and condition of the emergency scene and the patient; verbally communicating with patients, co-workers, medical personnel and the public either directly or indirectly via electronic communication equipment; driving the ambulance in emergency and non-emergency situations both short and long distances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Specific situations that lead to environment conditions can include:  hazardous materials calls, electrical emergencies, vehicular accidents, outdoor emergency settings, hurricanes, tornadoes, industrial accidents, conditions affecting driving, settings where heavy equipment such as extrication tools are in use, etc.

Exposure to environmental conditions and the amount of time exposed to each on this job:

Noise level associated with this job:

Moderate Noise (Examples:  business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic).

Loud Noise (Examples:  metal can manufacturing, large earth-moving equipment).

Very Loud Noise (Examples:  jack hammer work, front row at rock concert).

QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. National and/or State certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic determined by appropriate state requirements.
3. Current CPR certification as established by the American Heart Association.
4. Current ACLS certification as established by the American Heart Association.
5. Current and valid state-issued driver’s license determined by appropriate state requirements (equivalent of a Louisiana Class “D” driver’s license).
6. Must be able to read, write and communicate professionally and effectively with employees and managers.  Must possess the ability to write simple correspondence or reports.  Must possess the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees and/or managers.
7. Must be knowledgeable of company protocols, operational procedures and safety policies.
8. Must be able to drive large vehicles in normal and adverse conditions.
9. Additional certifications such as, NALS, PALS, PHTLS, PEEP, and Instructor certifications are preferred but not required.

INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Maintain social, ethical and organizational norms.
2. Achieve accomplishment of all task details, no matter how small.
3. Maintain good personal motivation; develop a sense of ownership of job tasks and results.
4. Must have a sense of urgency for all work performed.
5. Must maintain professionalism and respect with patients, co-workers, emergency service providers, healthcare workers and the general public.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Orientation to job requirements.

REPORTS TO: 
Operations Supervisor
Operations Manager
Vice President of Operations