Portland Street Response EMT Medical Responder (Community Health Med Responder) - Limited Duration at City of Portland – Portland, Oregon

About the position






About Portland Street Response (PSR): The Portland Street Response program assists people experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. The goal of Portland Street Response is to update our first responder system by providing an additional compassionate first response option when 911 is called for someone experiencing low-acuity behavioral health issues. PSR is dispatched by the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) to respond to non-life-threatening crises currently responded to by Police and Fire, such as behavioral health issues and welfare checks.

Program Values:

• Equity & Social Justice: Strive to uplift the dignity and worth of all Portlanders, particularly those who have been historically marginalized and criminalized, by ensuring timely and professional person-centered first response.
• Collaboration: Ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients by working collaboratively with community partners, health systems, and traditional first responders.
• Empathy & Compassion: Operate from a framework of Trauma-Informed Care with the recognition that adverse life experiences (including health systems and carceral trauma) create barriers for clients to connect with the care and supportive services they need to thrive in the community.
• Resource Efficiency & Prioritization: Respond to the complex care needs of individuals experiencing low acuity crises in the community to enable Police and Fire resources to attend to life saving and crime-related calls for service.

Position Summary
The PSR EMT Medical Responder will operate on a two-person multi-disciplinary team to provide crisis intervention and first aid. A Medical Responder will be dispatched along with a Mental Health Crisis Responder to low acuity Police and Fire 911 calls that present no criminal intent, fire, or medical emergency. This position will also engage with a population that exhibits sub-acute crises, that may include behavioral health and substance use conditions.

As an EMT Medical Responder, you will:

• Provide crisis intervention to clients who are in emotional distress.
• Perform ongoing patient assessments on-scene to monitor changes in patient condition and accommodate changes in breathing, mentation and circulation.
• Appropriately use medical equipment such as airway equipment/airway bag, splints, bandages, and medications in rendering proper emergency medical treatment of patients. Examples include, but are not limited to, opening and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and providing emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as controlling hemorrhage, bandaging wounds, and manually stabilizing injured extremities.
• Accurately document patient encounters and outcomes in care plan and appropriate medical record.
• Communicate effectively and with empathy and compassion to interview patients, their family members, bystanders, other service agency members and facility staff.
• Provide professional assessment, consultation and coordination of services.
• Participate in program meetings and relevant local and regional trainings.
• Utilize the 911 dispatch radio and CAD system.
• Physical demands:
  1. Working in pairs, may move equipment or people weighing up to 200 lbs.
  2. Bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and stand on uneven surfaces for extended periods.
  3. Work outside year-round in all weather conditions.

Ideal Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate for this position must be deeply committed to providing compassionate and effective crisis response services, particularly for individuals who have faced historical challenges and trauma. They will work within the existing emergency response system while emphasizing collaboration and trauma-informed care to better serve the Portland community. They recognize that individuals may have experienced adverse life events, including trauma within healthcare and carceral systems, which can create barriers to accessing necessary care and support. Candidates must have a commitment to working collectively to address community needs. A successful candidate will be able to meet or exceed established key performance indicator goals. Candidates for this position must have no criminal conviction that would prevent certification from the Oregon Health Authority.

Contact Information:
Karen Ehn, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Karen.Ehn@portlandoregon.gov
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Ability to comply with EMS protocols and other regulations which may include handling deceased patients, protection of property and evidence on scene, and awaiting additional resources.
2. Knowledge of cultural differences and their intersections (e.g., race, sexual orientation, gender equality, socioeconomic status) and their impact on client engagement.
3. Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and completely to both internal and external stakeholders.
4. Ability to work with others in a courteous, empathic, and professional manner.

Required Licenses:

• Valid EMT license, regardless of the state of issuance, at the time of application.
  At the time of job offer, a valid Oregon EMT is required. Click here for Oregon Healthy Authority Reciprocity Requirements.
• Valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Desired Qualifications
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:

• Two (2) years’ experience in emergency medical response.
• Bilingual fluency. Click here for a list of qualifying languages.
• Skill in engaging patients and others to effectively reduce or eliminate risks identified.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of stress response and methods to ensure personal wellbeing.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in multi/intra disciplinary settings with other first responders and health and community agencies.

STEP 1: Apply online between 3/10/2025 - 3/24/2025
Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Valid EMT license, regardless of the state of issuance.
  Note: Must have a Valid Oregon EMT Basic license at the time of job offer.
• Answer the Supplemental Questions. To preview the questions, please click on the Questions tab.

Optional Application Materials:

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of 3/24/25

• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection Process: Beginning-mid April

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for interviews.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

• Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.

Step 6: Start Date: TBD

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity