EMT - Paramedic (EMT-P)

SUMMARY:

The Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic assists with providing efficient and immediate care to patients in various emergency and non-emergency situations. Responsible for providing BLS & ALS levels of care including CPR, AED, ventilation, controlling hemorrhaging, IV administration, Medication Administration and management, Advanced Airway Management including RSI procedures, Advanced Cardiac / Stroke Care ( ACLS ) etc. to stabilize the patient’s condition. Additionally the Paramedic will maintain certifications in ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, AMLS, NIMS and other certifications. The EMT-P is responsible for documenting all aspects of care provided under their direction by EMS services. Operates the ambulance in various weather and road conditions to safely transport patients to medical facilities. Performs various other job responsibilities as identified by service medical director and service manager.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of accredited EMT-P program and maintains national and state licenses.

Experience: Previous experience preferred but not required; willing to train individual with desire and initiative to learn.

Licensure/Certification: Current Arkansas EMT-P license in good standing. Must possess American Heart Association CPR Certification, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS. Must possess valid Class D driver’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets the hospital’s insurance carrier requirements for hospital vehicle operation.

Other:

• Required to operate and drive hospital ambulance vehicles throughout scheduled work shift.
• Must be at least 19 years of age or older to support coverage under hospital driving policies for insurance purposes and will maintain.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Excellent oral and written communication and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to multi-task in a fast pace environment with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to make effective decisions at all times, especially during high stress situations.
• Ability to read and interpret all required documents and write/document required reports and correspondence.
• Working knowledge of computer and ambulance equipment, to include, but not limited to, radio, communications, Lifeline computer console, ambulance cot, all Basic Life Support equipment, and use of ALS equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other employees, providers, and medical agencies to provide the highest level of patient care.
• Working knowledge of the Baxter Health EMS coverage area, including all major highways and towns.
• Knowledge of Basic Life Support Theory and skills as it relates to the clinical area.
• Knowledge of Theory and Practice of EMS operations and familiar with standard protocols.

Safety Sensitive Designation:

This position is deemed safety sensitive in accordance with Arkansas Act 593 governing Medical Marijuana.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak and hear continuously and have the ability to effectively communicate with patients, family, co-workers, ancillary staff, visitors, and physicians to solve problems; and to make decisions independently in many types of encounters. Must have the ability to frequently stand and walk and move about freely; frequently required to bend, twist, stoop, squat, kneel and crouch during each regularly scheduled shift. EMT-P functions as a specialist in Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support skills in a professional manner with other emergency responders. The EMT-P must function in adverse and/or stressful situations at any given time. Must be able to operate emergency vehicles safely at all times, following all traffic rules. The EMT-P must often provide psychological support for peers, patient families, and bystanders. The EMT-P must maintain a calm, professional demeanor throughout all non-emergent and emergent situations, and public assist. The EMT-P must have the ability to effectively communicate with patients, family, co-workers, ancillary staff, visitors, physicians, students, bystanders, fire, rescue, police; to solve problems; and to make decisions independently in many types of encounters. The EMT-P is able to push/pull stretcher with equipment and patient during the normal course of each regular shift. (Note: stretcher weight of 40-50 pounds, equipment up to 20-30 pounds, patient on average of 150-180 pounds.) Must be able to move patient from floor to stretcher, bed to stretcher, stretcher to hospital bed; lift stretcher, equipment and patients frequently in excess of 180 pounds during scheduled shift. (Note: depending on circumstances, the EMT-P must be able to lift equally well either the head of stretcher or foot end of stretcher.) Requires ability to ascend/descend stairs, ability to hike in rugged terrain, climb steep embankments, enter close, confined spaces, crouching/crawling, gripping/grasping, occasionally during emergency and non-emergency encounters. Requires entering private homes and adapting to individual environmental conditions. Must be able to respond; evacuate patient/scene, assess patient and implement care on one or more patients on every ambulance call. Requires a keen sense of hearing and visual acuity while driving ambulance and monitoring patients and conditions.

Required to administer care which could include initiation of CPR, and continuation of CPR for extended amounts of time and/or CPR in uncontrolled environmental setting; auto extrication utilizing 30 pounds or more of equipment. Must be mentally and emotionally able to handle excessive stress which may be defined by: emergency response in ambulance using lights/sirens, responding and maintaining vehicle speed that would permit a controlled, safe environment for crew and all traffic throughout response. Required to practice safe PPE to limit exposure to hazardous substances, blood and bodily fluids, and chemicals.

Work Environment:

Hospital environment, outside of the hospital setting within the local community and throughout the state. Must function effectively in adverse/stressful situations at any given time. Required to work during all types of weather and road conditions during scheduled work shift. Required to work outdoors; hiking rugged terrains, climbing steep embankments, etc. Exposure to hazardous substances, blood and bodily fluids, and chemicals is highly likely.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a position in a hospital setting which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This position also functions outside the hospital, in the local community and throughout the state (Baxter and Marion counties). Shifts may vary depending on need including transfers that require coverage for time required to complete assignment; sometimes EMTs may work hours greater than 12 hours shifts (12 hr; 16 hr; 24 hr shifts and possibly even greater durations of time). May be required to work holidays, weekends, overtime and cover standby days as needed.