Emergency Medical Technician

Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority•Charleston, WV

About The Position

The Emergency Medical Technician administers first aid and basic life support to sick or injured people in pre-hospital settings and while transporting them to medical facilities. This is a mission-critical position in Charleston, West Virginia. The EMT must be available to work any shift requested by KCEAA, report during adverse weather and holidays, and respond to short-notice work needs. Work may extend beyond the scheduled shift until the employee is properly relieved or released. The role involves working outdoors in all seasons and near moving mechanical parts. Conditions may include exposure to fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme temperatures, blood, saliva, other bodily substances, combative patients or bystanders, and loud noise. The position has substantial physical demands, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling a minimum of 150 pounds independently and 300 pounds or more with assistance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of a college or technical school EMT program.
West Virginia Certified EMT.
West Virginia driver’s license with a safe driving record.
CPR certification.
ICS 100 and ICS 200 certifications or training.
NIMS 700 and NIMS 800 certifications or training.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull a minimum of 150 pounds independently and 300 pounds or more with assistance.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, equipment operation, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching; occasional movement through challenging obstacles; finger and manual dexterity; multilimb coordination; and arm-hand steadiness.
Availability to work any shift requested, report during adverse weather and holidays, respond to short-notice work needs, and work beyond a scheduled shift when required.

Responsibilities

Assess the nature and extent of illness or injury and establish and prioritize medical procedures.
Drive an ambulance or other vehicle to specified locations as directed by an emergency medical dispatcher.
Assist with rescues and transport sick or injured patients to appropriate treatment centers.
Operate equipment such as electrocardiograms, external defibrillators, and bag valve mask resuscitators in advanced life support environments.
Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, including stomach suction, airway management, and heart monitoring during transport.
Observe, record, and report the patient’s condition or injury, treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment to a physician.
Administer drugs by the appropriate route under a physician’s direction or protocol.
Coordinate work with emergency medical team members and police or fire department personnel.
Immobilize patients for stretcher placement and ambulance transport using backboards or other spinal immobilization devices.
Communicate with dispatchers or medical command center personnel about the situation, reception of victims, and further treatment instructions.
Decontaminate the ambulance interior after treating a patient with a known or suspected infectious disease and report the incident as required.
Document patient treatment in KCEAA’s electronic patient care reporting software.
Conduct daily, weekly, and periodic inspections and inventories of supplies, vehicles, stations, and related equipment as needed or directed by KCEAA policy, and document inspections and inventories.
Comfort and reassure patients.
Attend training to maintain certification and licensure, learn about developments in emergency services, and maintain existing knowledge.