EMS Medical Director

Kent County•Chestertown, MD

About The Position

Provides overall medical direction for the Kent County EMS Operational Program and reports to the Director of Emergency Services. The Medical Director credentials EMS providers at all certification and licensure levels identified by the State of Maryland and maintains oversight of patient care in accordance with applicable State and County rules, standards, and regulations. The position establishes medical policy, patient-care benchmarks, emergency medical dispatch standards, training and continuing education standards, regional coordination mechanisms, and medical protocols for emergency medical dispatch and basic and advanced life support. In cooperation with the Department’s Division Chief, the Medical Director establishes policy for selecting and using medications, supplies, and medical equipment. The role reviews medical calls with the EMS Chief and Communications Chief and responds to medical emergencies to evaluate EMS personnel and provide medical oversight. The position provides medical oversight of patient care throughout the operational program, including emergency medical dispatch. It provides expertise and approval for quality assurance, standard operating procedures, remedial training and continuing education, medical equipment, and other aspects of program planning, development, and operations that affect patient care. The Medical Director approves applications to MIEMSS for clinician licensure and certification 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 has oversight of all EMS clinicians affiliated with the Kent County EMS operational program. The work includes field emergency response, ride-along time with 911 EMS crews, and hands-on training in various locations. Work settings may involve extreme weather, blood or airborne pathogens, cramped areas, bodies of water, fumes or odors, and traffic accident scenes. Protective clothing or gear is required. Physical work may include lifting and moving objects weighing up to 80 pounds, carrying medical equipment, bending, climbing steps, and assuming awkward positions. Office and meeting-room work also involves normal workplace safety precautions.

Requirements

Be licensed to practice medicine in Maryland by the Maryland Board of Physicians.
Hold a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree from a college or university accredited by the American Medical Association.
Possess a Class C Maryland Motor Vehicle Operators’ License, or an equivalent license from another issuing state.
Complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training: IS 800, IS 700, IS 100, and IS 200.
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.
Have 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.
Be able to perform physical work that may include lifting and moving objects weighing up to 80 pounds, carrying medical equipment, bending, climbing steps, and assuming awkward positions.
Use protective clothing or gear when required for field and training work.

Responsibilities

Provide medical oversight of patient care, including emergency medical dispatch, throughout the EMS operational program.
Approve, participate in, and provide medical expertise for a comprehensive quality assurance plan covering all aspects of patient care.
Establish or approve standard operating procedures consistent with the Maryland Medical Protocols for Emergency Medical Services providers.
Establish standards for emergency medical dispatch, basic and advanced training, remedial training, and continuing education for EMS personnel.
Establish medical protocols for emergency medical dispatch and basic and advanced life support programs.
Approve medical equipment in a timely manner and establish policy on the selection and use of medications, supplies, and medical equipment in cooperation with the Division Chief.
Provide medical expertise on all aspects of the EMS operational program that affect patient care, including planning, development, and operations.
Approve applications to MIEMSS for licensure and certification, and renewals, for EMS clinicians affiliated with the operational program.
Review patient-care and disciplinary matters under COMAR 30.02.05 concerning affiliated clinicians.
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.
Establish coordination mechanisms with area agencies and hospitals and serve as a liaison to the medical community and regional and State EMS medical directors.
Formulate medical policies and protocols, set provider training and retraining standards, and advise the program on selection, correction, and supervision of medical care providers.
Maintain working relationships with operational program leaders and providers and coordinate work and exchange information with county staff, EMS, Fire, Rescue, and medical professionals.
Participate in field emergency response, ride-alongs with 911 EMS crews, and hands-on training.