Emergency Medical Technician, Boston EMS

Boston Public Health Commission•Boston, MA

About The Position

Boston EMS provides emergency medical services for the City of Boston and is a nationally recognized leader in pre-hospital emergency medicine. The department uses advances in medicine and technology to deliver high-quality, compassionate care. The Emergency Medical Technician provides basic life support care to people of all ages, responds to 9-1-1 calls, assesses and treats patients, and transports them as needed. The role includes operating emergency response vehicles, maintaining equipment and supplies, meeting documentation and certification requirements, and participating in department training. EMTs may work in hazardous environments and respond to infectious disease concerns, planned and unplanned events, and emerging threats. Assigned duties may include Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs, emergency department avoidance, community engagement, and, if reassigned, EMS dispatch operations. The position supports health equity, inclusion, diversity, and the Boston Public Health Commission’s antiracism standards.

Requirements

Current, valid Emergency Medical Technician certification from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Current CPR certification.
Current, valid Class D driver's license.
Familiarity with the geography of the City of Boston.
Commitment to health equity and racial and social justice issues.
Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, public health’s role in addressing racism, social determinants of health, inequities in health outcomes, and strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
Ability to carry more than 20 pounds of equipment while walking, climbing or descending stairs, or traversing difficult terrain.
Ability to carry an adult patient with a partner up or down stairs or over difficult terrain while carrying the specified equipment.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl to access a patient.
Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation for extended periods.
Ability to lift an adult patient and wheel cot into an ambulance with a partner.
Ability to perform other strenuous activities as required.

Responsibilities

Provide emergency medical care under established basic life support treatment protocols to people of all ages.
Operate emergency response vehicles in compliance with state law.
Respond to public requests for emergency medical assistance through 9-1-1 and the Computer Aided Dispatch System.
Assess, treat, and transport patients with illness, injuries, or behavioral emergencies.
Maintain proficiency with new technology, documentation, and reporting requirements in accordance with department policy.
Maintain equipment and supplies.
Participate in and comply with department-determined training in the format offered.
Work in hazardous situations, including austere environments, structural collapses, fire scenes, hazardous-material incidents, police operations, active-shooter incidents, ordinance and entry-team coverage, and scenes of violence, in all environmental conditions.
Prepare for and respond to current and emerging threats, including use of personal protective equipment, logistics, prophylaxis medication deployment and administration, patient tracking, and incident-command roles.
Respond to and help mitigate infectious diseases of public health concern, including adapting protocols and training, administering vaccinations, performing diagnostic testing, and coordinating community clinics.
Perform duties under Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Mobile Integrated Healthcare Emergency Department Avoidance programs, including 9-1-1 call assessment and transfer, treatment in place, alternative response, and alternative-destination transport.
Provide medical consequence management and assessments for planned and unplanned events.
Comply with department policies, procedures, and protocols.
Perform other related duties as required.
May be reassigned to the EMS Dispatch Operations Center; EMT-Telecommunicators must maintain additional required certifications.
May opt into community engagement, outreach, training, and preparedness assignments.
Promote health equity, inclusion, and diversity within the department and community, and help the Boston Public Health Commission advance as an antiracist organization.