Apprentice - EMT

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay•Tampa, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The EMT Apprentice supports the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s mission by transporting passengers with medical, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities and responding to assigned calls safely, courteously, and efficiently. The role provides patient care and helps maintain a safe, hazard-free environment. The position reports to the Training and Quality Assurance Manager and, in that manager’s absence, to the Field Operations Supervisor/Operations Manager. Before completing Emergency Medical Responder training and additional training rides, the apprentice transports passengers and performs related vehicle, communication, and documentation duties. After successfully completing that training, the apprentice also assists higher-level personnel with basic first aid and life-support interventions, and provides patient care for emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with EMR protocols. This part-time position involves 20–24 hours per week, generally in 10–12-hour shifts with varied start times to accommodate EMT school rotations. Employees must be available for varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and may be recalled to duty during a declared disaster or emergency. Work is primarily in a driving environment, with regular outdoor work, local travel in Hillsborough and/or Pasco counties, and occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and blood or bodily fluids. The role requires strenuous physical activity, including moving patients and equipment and performing CPR and other lifesaving maneuvers.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Valid Florida Class E Driver’s License.
Must obtain a Hillsborough County Driver’s Identification Badge upon job offer.
Must pass a Department of Transportation physical examination, federal background check, and 10-panel drug screen.
No more than two moving violations in the past five years and no convictions of a serious traffic violation, such as DWI or driving with a suspended, canceled, or revoked license, in the past five years.
Must remain insurable throughout employment.
Complete Florida Certification Board trainings (FADAA) within 14 days of employment.
Complete AHA CPR certification at the BLS Provider level within 14 days of employment.
Complete Emergency Vehicle Operators (EVOC) training and test within 14 days of employment.
Complete TransCare EMR Orientation within eight weeks of EMT school.
Knowledge of Florida Chapter 401, HIPAA patient-confidentiality requirements, the Baker Act as it relates to TransCare Transportation Services, and EMS radio systems and codes.
Knowledge of crisis intervention, stress response, personal well-being practices, body substance isolation, and basic medical-legal principles.
Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively with patients, community partners, clients, peers, and management.
Fundamental knowledge of word-processing and database programs on personal or work-issued computers.
Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations; apply policies and procedures; set work priorities; solve problems; work independently; and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to physically restrain violent psychiatric patients and lift a stretcher with a patient.
Ability to wear and maintain a uniform.
Unimpaired mobility and ability to access patients in difficult terrain, dangerous locations, close quarters, damaged vehicles, stairs, and other structures; carry heavy equipment and patients; and perform strenuous physical tasks, including CPR and lifesaving maneuvers.
Ability to perform required medical fine-motor skills, including bandaging and splinting.
Correctable vision suitable for safely operating emergency vehicles and reading gauges, fine print, and figures, with color acuity needed for emergency care.
Hearing sufficient to obtain information and provide emergency care in active, distracting environments.
Ability to speak clearly and communicate verbally in loud, stressful, and distracting environments.
Must be available and willing to work varied shift hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and be recalled to duty during a declared disaster or emergency.
Must coordinate and complete clinical rotations and student rides to meet operational needs.

Responsibilities

Safely transport passengers with medical, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities to designated facilities in a courteous and professional manner.
Follow predetermined routes or daily manifests in Hillsborough and/or Pasco counties and respond to assigned calls efficiently.
Conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections and keep vehicles and equipment clean, stocked, organized, and response ready.
Ensure patients are properly secured during transport and assist with moving, transferring, and securing passengers as required by protocol.
Maintain radio communication with the dispatcher or Systems Status Controller and minimize delays while responding to calls.
Complete and maintain accurate patient, transportation, medical-record, diagnostic, and billing documentation in a timely manner.
After completing Emergency Medical Responder training and additional training rides, provide basic first aid and life-support interventions and patient care in accordance with EMR protocols.
Maintain knowledge of appropriate patient assessment, treatment, transport techniques, resources, equipment, and ambulance operations; report defective equipment or supply issues.
Meet or exceed operational measures, including average on-task and hospital turnaround times.
Complete required initial and ongoing training and continuing education, and maintain current certifications, licenses, and related records with Human Resources.
Provide assigned Baker Act and Marchman Act transports independently based on operational demand.
Arrive on time and ready to deploy, maintain a professional appearance, and follow company policies, standard operating procedures, and medical and trauma protocols.
Communicate professionally and build effective working relationships with peers and others in the EMS system.
Participate in the performance quality improvement process and use data to improve services and outcomes.
Coordinate and complete clinical rotations and student rides in a way that meets operational needs and does not negatively affect operations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisory team.