Job Description

Description

General Statement of Duties:
Provides a high standard of patient care and assists the paramedic in emergent care and transportation to appropriate medical facilities within State law, medical direction, division procedures and within scope of practice. Works closely with patients, families, peers, supervisors, nurses, physicians, other health team members and emergency service providers to ensure quality patient care. Provides economical medical care, health training and safety education to employees, citizens and visitors. Performs other non-emergency medical duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Features of the Class:
An employee in this class is responsible for providing basic to advanced level of life support and medical emergency treatments to patients at the accident or illness scenes and during transport to medical facilities. Work includes the delivery of high quality emergency patient care, utilizing proper equipment and adequate treatment methods, while exercising sound judgment and decision-making skills.

Supervision Received:
Works under general direction of the EMS Division Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised:
None.

Examples of Duties

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides quality patient care and emergency medical treatment to individuals of all ages in the pre-hospital setting and Emergency Department as per scope of practice (i.e., EMT-Basic, EMT-Advanced), State law, and in accordance with Medical Director approved protocols.
• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to critically ill and injured persons. Determines the nature of the illness or injury and makes treatment decisions based on appropriate protocols, techniques, resources, and equipment available to treat the illness or injury.
• Reports verbally and in writing, observations and medical care of the patient. Provides accurate documentation in patient care reports, in a timely manner, of all emergency medical treatment provided in accordance with established documentation guidelines and quality standards.
• Ensures EMS call and treatment documentation is sent to the appropriate receiving hospital/medical facility.
• Communicates with other members of the healthcare team in order to ensure continuity of care and coordination of services.
• Assists with routine maintenance, inventory, cleanliness, and readiness of ambulance (e.g. proper fuel, fluid, and tire pressure levels; adequate supplies, medications, etc.); inspects other equipment for functionality and keeps station organized. Reports any damage, problems or malfunctions on the proper forms daily and ensures supervisor is notified of any issues.
• Provides public safety/education such as, but not limited to: CPR instruction; school visits; blood borne pathogen training; EMS tours, etc.
• Maintains AED\'s located in private businesses as well as City operated locations.
• Provides stand-by EMS coverage/care at special events.
• Assists with special projects and community outreach as assigned.
• Understands and complies with safety and infection control procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to City and departmental policies and procedures to accomplish the City\'s mission; complies with the established standards for high quality customer service, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Demonstrates professional behaviors to ensure high quality patient care, supports EMS division goals and maintains awareness of resource utilization.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare; maintains compliance with HIPPA standards and patient confidentiality.
• Attends regularly scheduled crew meetings and educational events; completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year; maintains certification.
• Maintains knowledge of department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of EMS Supervisor. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with officials, other agencies, fellow employees, and the general public.
• Participates in non-direct patient care activities including educational activities, continuous improvement activities, standards development and review, committees and other related activities.
• May be assigned to assist with various administrative and/or daily station duties which may include, but is not limited to: inventory and ordering supplies, including first aid supplies for City Departments; crew readiness checks/testing and inventories; verifying the ambulance and its contents are in proper working condition; maintain familiarity with specialized equipment, etc.

Typical Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains comprehensive perception of Fort Dodge streets, mapping, and grid book system while demonstrating excellent driving judgment and due regard for public safety during operation and positioning of unit.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of current EMT standards of care along with equipment use and function.
• Knowledge of rescue and emergency medical principles, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of the hazards and risks of blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive manner.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Accurate mathematical skills.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance and working hours; able to work 12-hour shifts.
• Ability to maintain composure in a high stress work environment in order to respond appropriately to upset individuals.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine safe and proper courses of action; ability to problem-solve and take initiative.
• Ability to perform invasive advanced medical procedures, per level of certification, in stressful situations.
• Sound judgement and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to file reports using computer and EMS software.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Possession of a valid chauffeur\'s license, Class D, endorsement 2, issued by the State of Iowa. Must be insurable and maintain insurability.
• Emergency Medical Technician, State of Iowa certification (registered with the Iowa Department of Public Health and National Registry of EMT).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Health-Care Provider Certification

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Bi-lingual

Special Requirements:

• Required to obtain 2 hours of stroke education initially then 1 hour of annual stroke education thereafter.
• Employees are required to get immunizations, titers, boosters and/or any medical tests relating to the safety of the patient as deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, Medical Director and/or the CDC.

Supplemental Information

Safety Hazards:

• Exposure to violent behavior.
• Traffic hazards.
• Electrical and fire hazards.
• Communicable diseases.

Mental Requirements:

• Heavy concentration nearly constant and involves pre-planning; high degree of organization, communication and quick adaptability in emergency situations.

Physical Requirements:
Frequent to Constant:

• Constant hearing (in loud and confusing situations) and speaking.
• Frequent near and far sight acuity, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception; concentration, judgment, and writing ability.
• Intermittent walking, standing, sitting, balancing, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting (torso, hands, neck, waist);reaching(above, at and below shoulder level);feeling, finger dexterity, hand and wrist motions (simple grasping, firm grasping; radial and ulnar deviation); smelling.
• Frequent pushing/pulling (up to 100 lbs.); lifting (up to 100 lbs.); carrying (up to 100 lbs.).
• Moderate exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid conditions, noise intensity level, darkness/poor lighting, moving mechanical parts/hazards, confined spaces, high, exposed places, dirt/dust, odors, and other environmental conditions.
• Moderate use of protective eye wear, footwear, and gloves.

Occasional:

• Pushing/pulling (over 100 lbs.); lifting (over 100 lbs.) and carrying (over 100 lbs.).

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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