JOB SUMMARY

Working under the supervision and direction of the department manager or designee, Emergency Department Paramedics perform functions within their scope of practice to assist staff nurses and physicians in the treatment and care of patients requiring emergency care.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Responsible To: Emergency Department Manager/Coordinator/Director/Chg Nurse

Workers Supervised: None

Inter-Relationships: ED Staff, ED Physicians, EMS Personnel, Patients, Families, Visitors

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Greet and assess patients upon arrival to the Emergency Department.

2. Determines if patients require immediate care or treatment, and notifies nursing staff and physicians as necessary.

3. Begin registration process by obtaining patient information and chief complaint.

4. Provide personal care: toileting, assisting with ambulation, positioning for comfort, providing wheelchairs.

5. Performs specimen collections which do not require a licensed nurse to complete.

6. Reports and documents any changes observed in the condition or behavior of a patient to nursing staff or physician.

7. Performs treatments and procedures:

A: Obtain Vital Signs

B: 12 Lead EKG

C: Glucometer Checks

8. Transports patients to and from various areas of the hospital as necessary.

9. Makes rounds frequently on patients in the waiting room, anticipates patient needs, and responds to patient and family requests.

10. Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment by cleaning rooms and equipment and reporting equipment that is out of order, preparing equipment for disinfection, and maintaining stock supplies on the unit as directed.

11. Attends in-service education programs.

12. Completes CPI training annually and responds to Code Grey within the hospital when able.

13. Assists with clerical duties as needed; i.e., initiating patient chart, requesting lab, x-ray, etc.

14. Assists with orientation and mentoring new employees.

15. Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.

16. Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards of care, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, standards of behavior, and the code of ethical behavior.

17. Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served on his/her assigned unit. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's and division's policies and procedures. (See attached for specific age ranges of patients served.)

DEPARTMENTAL AND ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

1. EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited program in paramedic science, with current Michigan licensure, BLS, and ACLS.

2. EXPERIENCE: Previous experience as a paramedic is preferred.

3. ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to travel independently within the hospital; access a patient on a stretcher and his/her equipment for the purpose of assessment, hygiene, and treatment; safely move patients as ordered.

4. ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES: Must be able to follow directions; identify changes in patient's conditions and/or patient's responses to interventions; document findings/interventions as appropriate; work well under pressure.

5. ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS: Must have hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for administration of treatments. Must be able to utilize a computer to enter and retrieve data.

6. ESSENTIAL SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to communicate effectively with patient and family; visually assess patient's condition; and auscultate blood pressures.

7. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Must be able to interact well with patients, family, public, and other staff to provide appropriate and complete patient care and exemplary patient and family relations.