EMT in Blountstown, Florida at Calhoun Liberty Hospital Association, Inc

Prerequisites:
• Current Florida Driver’s License, in good standing
• Current Florida EMT-B license
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Certification (EVOC)
• Current BLS Certification (AHA or ASHI)
• Good communication and listening skills
• Must be able to speak, read and write the English language

Job Summary: The colleague will respond to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and to transport the patient to a medical facility. After receiving the call from the dispatcher, the colleague drives the ambulance to an address or location given, using the most expeditious route, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The colleague must observe traffic ordinances and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operation.

Duties:
1) functions in uncommon situations;
2) has a basic understanding of stress response and methods to ensure personal well-being;
3) has an understanding of body substance isolation;
4) understands basic medical-legal principles;
5) functions within the scope of care as defined by state, regional and local regulatory agencies;
6) complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene;
7) All other job related duties as assigned.

Upon arrival at the scene of crash or illness, the colleague parks the ambulance in a safe location to avoid additional injury. Prior to initiating patient care, the colleague will also 'size up' the scene to determine: that the scene is safe; the mechanism of injury or nature of illness; the total number of patients; and to request additional help, if necessary. In the absence of law enforcement, the colleague creates a safe traffic environment, such as the placement of road flares, removal of debris and redirection of traffic for the protection of the injured and those assisting in the care of the injured patients. The colleague determines the nature and extent of illness and establishes priority for required emergency care. The colleague renders emergency medical and/or trauma care to adults, children and infants based on assessment findings.
The colleague is responsible for:
a) opening and maintaining an airway;
b) ventilating patients;
c) administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators;
d) providing prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as:
- controlling hemorrhage,
- treatment of shock (hypo perfusion),
- bandaging wounds,
- immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed extremities,
- immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed neck or spine;
e) providing emergency medical care to:
- assist in emergency childbirth,
- manage general medical complaints of altered mental status, respiratory, cardiac, diabetic,
allergic reaction, seizures, poisoning behavioral emergencies, environmental emergencies, and psychological crisis. Additional care is provided based upon assessment of the of the patient and obtaining historical information.
f) searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care.
g) assisting patients with prescribed medications, including sublingual nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto injectors and hand-held aerosol inhalers;
h) administration of oxygen, oral glucose and activated charcoal.
i) reassuring patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.
j) avoiding mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish the task.
Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, the colleague assesses the extent of injury and gives
gives all possible emergency care and protection to the entrapped patient and uses the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient. If needed, the colleague radios the dispatcher for additional help or special rescue and/or utility services. Provides simple rescue service if the ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit. After extrication, provides additional care in triaging the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures.

The colleague is responsible for:
◊ lifting the stretcher (be able to lift and carry 125 pounds)
◊ placing it in the ambulance and seeing that the patient and stretcher are secured
◊ continuing emergency medical care white enroute to the medical facility, if necessary

The colleague uses the knowledge of the condition of the patient and the extent of injuries and the relative locations and staffing of emergency hospital facilities to determine the most appropriate facility to which the patient will be transported, unless otherwise directed by medical direction.
The colleague reports directly to the emergency department or communications center the nature and extent of injuries, the number being transported and the destination to assure prompt medical care on arrival.

The colleague identifies assessment findings, which may require communications with the emergency department, for advice and for notification that special professional services and assistance be immediately available upon arrive at the medical facility.
The colleague will:
1) constantly assesses the patient enroute to the emergency facility, administers additional care as indicated or directed by the paramedic on scene or emergency department;
2) assist in lifting and carrying the patient out of the ambulance and into the receiving medical facility;
3) report verbally and in writing, their observation and emergency medical care of the patient at the emergency scene transit, to the receiving medical facility staff for purposes of records and diagnostics;
4) upon request provides assistance to the receiving medical facility staff;
After each call, the colleague:
1) restocks and replaces used linens, blankets and other supplies;
2) cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures;
3) makes careful check of all equipment so that the ambulance is ready for the next call to service;
4) maintains ambulance in efficient operating condition;
5) ensures that the ambulance is clean and washed and kept in a neat orderly condition;
6) in accordance with local, state, federal regulations and CLH biohazard policies and procedures, decontaminates the interior of the vehicle after transport of patient with contagious infection or hazardous materials exposure.
Additionally the colleague:
1) determines that vehicle is in proper mechanical condition by checking items required by service management. Maintains familiarity with specialized equipment used by the service;
2) attends continuing education and refresher training programs as required by CLH organizational and departmental policies, procedures and protocols, and licensing or certifying agencies.

Physical Abilities:
The colleague must be able to perform all essential functions including, but not limited to the following: Must be able to sit and walk most of the day; able to reach, turn, twist; able to lift and carry fifty (50) pounds, push (up to 300 pounds in a wheelchair), pull and handle all reasonable and customary objects at the level required to meet the demands of the job; has bilateral manual dexterity of grasping/holding, feeling, writing, typing; have senses of seeing (with good field of vision and visual accommodation) and hearing, with excellent verbal communication and listening skills; function effectively in confined spaces; maintain mental and emotional stability, keeping a safe environment by adhering to the policies outlined in the Hazard Communication Program for toxic/irritating substances; follows the CLH Infection Control policies for handling blood or body substances; follows policy and procedure for waste disposal for both biohazardous and non-biohazardous waste and utilize equipment needed in patient care appropriately.

Attendance:
The colleague will maintain proper attendance in accordance with CLH Human Resource policies; report to work at scheduled times in accordance with departmental and CLH Human Resource policies; remain in assigned area and keep supervisor informed of whereabouts throughout the shift; attend mandatory in-service education; attend 75% of department meetings/in-services and read minutes of meetings not attended.

Communication:
The colleague will support the Mission and Values of the CLH organization, as demonstrated by behavior; be cooperative and flexible when unexpected changes occur in workload or staffing; accept assignments away from department or unit with a positive and cooperative attitude; participate in the orientation of new personnel; adhere to departmental and CLH organizational Human Resources policies; accept and profit from direction and counseling.

Professional Standards and Ethics:
The colleague will adhere to CLH Human Resources and Departmental policies, as well as to all applicable local, state and federal agencies and accrediting bodies; refuse to participate in unethical procedures and assume responsibility of informing the appropriate authority of noted incompetence and unethical behavior; maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to patients, staff and business matters; stay abreast of current practices, regulations and standards affecting health information management; and accept responsibility for knowing current changes in policy, protocols and procedures through the CLH organization systems.

All CLH colleagues are required to pass a Level 2 AHCA Background Screening. For more information, please go to https://info.flclearinghouse.com