EMS Medical Director

County Commissioners of Kent County, MD•Chestertown, MD

About The Position

The EMS Medical Director provides overall medical direction for the Kent County EMS Operational Program and reports to the Director of Emergency Services. The role provides medical oversight of patient care, including emergency medical dispatch, and credentials EMS providers at certification and licensure levels recognized by the State of Maryland. The Medical Director establishes medical policies, patient-care benchmarks, protocols, and standards for dispatch, training, continuing education, and the selection and use of medications, supplies, and medical equipment. The position also reviews medical calls and responds to emergencies to evaluate EMS personnel and provide medical oversight. The Medical Director approves and contributes medical expertise to quality assurance, operational procedures, remedial training and continuing education, medical equipment approvals, and all program activities that affect patient care. The role approves licensure and certification applications and renewals, reviews patient-care and disciplinary matters under COMAR 30.02.05, and serves as a liaison to the medical community and regional and State EMS medical directors. The position oversees EMS clinicians affiliated with the Kent County EMS operational program and works with program leaders and providers to develop policies, protocols, and training standards. Work includes field emergency response, ride-alongs with 911 EMS crews, and hands-on training in varied locations and conditions. The position may involve exposure to extreme weather, blood or airborne pathogens, confined spaces, bodies of water, fumes or odors, and traffic accident scenes. Protective clothing or gear is required. Physical work includes lifting and moving objects up to 80 pounds, carrying medical equipment, bending, climbing steps, and assuming awkward positions. Office and meeting-room work also requires ordinary workplace safety precautions.

Requirements

Be licensed to practice medicine in Maryland.
Be familiar with the design and operation of EMS operational programs and systems, including medical dispatch and communications.
Have expertise in and current knowledge of emergency care for acutely ill or injured patients.
Possess current knowledge of the Maryland EMS System, including applicable laws and regulations, Maryland Medical Protocols for Emergency Medical Services Providers, applicable Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols, disaster and mass-casualty plans, system organization and structure, and medical quality assurance processes.
Be thoroughly conversant in English.
Be able to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, medical protocols and procedures, statutes, and governmental regulations.
Be able to write reports and business correspondence.
Be able to present information effectively and respond to questions from healthcare providers, supervisors, managers, clients, and the public.
Possess a Class C Maryland Motor Vehicle Operator’s License or equivalent from another issuing state.
Hold a license to practice medicine issued by the Maryland Board of Physicians.
Have graduated from an American Medical Association-accredited college or university with a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy.
Complete National Incident Management System training: IS 800, IS 700, IS 100, and IS 200.
Be able to perform field emergency response, ride along with 911 EMS crews, and conduct hands-on training in various locations.
Be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 80 pounds and carry medical equipment.
Be able to bend, climb steps, or assume awkward positions.
Use protective clothing or gear as required for the work environment.

Responsibilities

Provide medical oversight of patient care, including emergency medical dispatch, in the EMS operational program.
Approve, participate in, and provide medical expertise for a comprehensive patient-care quality assurance plan.
Establish and contribute to standard operating procedures under the Maryland Medical Protocols for Emergency Medical Services providers.
Approve and contribute to remedial training and continuing education programs for EMS providers.
Review and approve medical equipment used by the operational program in a timely manner.
Provide medical expertise on program planning, development, operations, and other matters that affect patient-care delivery.
Approve applications to MIEMSS for licensure and certification, including renewals, for affiliated EMS clinicians.
Review patient-care and disciplinary matters under COMAR 30.02.05 concerning affiliated clinicians.
Serve as a liaison to the medical community and regional and State EMS medical directors.
Establish working relationships with program leaders and providers; formulate medical policies and protocols; set provider training and retraining standards; and advise the program on selection, correction, and supervision of medical care providers.
Review medical calls with the EMS Chief and Communications Chief to verify appropriate care.
Respond to medical emergencies to evaluate EMS personnel and provide medical oversight.
Credential provider certification and licensure levels identified by the State of Maryland.
Establish coordination mechanisms with area agencies and hospitals to maintain regional cooperation.
Establish policy on selection and use of medications, supplies, and medical equipment in cooperation with the Department Division Chief.