EMS Operational Medical Director

County of Roanoke Virginia•Roanoke, VA

About The Position

The Operational Medical Director (OMD) for the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department prepares, implements, and evaluates activities needed for an effective EMS system in conjunction with the Department Chief and designees. The OMD also serves as the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Medical Director for the Emergency Communication Center (ECC), overseeing education, training, guidelines, standards, and quality control for the EMD program. The position establishes education and proficiency requirements for EMS personnel practicing under the OMD’s medical license; approves provider participation; establishes treatment protocols and standing orders; and supports provider recertification. The OMD provides medical oversight at incidents, conducts or oversees quality assurance, supports adherence to applicable EMS policies, and helps determine patient destinations. The role also provides medical direction for mutual-aid agencies at events where Roanoke County Fire and Rescue is the lead EMS agency, contributes medical input to disaster preparedness, and collaborates with County staff, regional medical directors, hospitals, and physicians. The OMD provides direction and oversight for EMD training and program development, directs medical instructions and information given by emergency medical dispatchers, and works with the EMD guidance committee on response decisions and guide cards. The position works with the Battalion Chief – EMS to assist in supervising the overall EMS system, but does not have individual supervisory responsibility over Department employees. The physician must hold Virginia authority to practice medicine, have a letter of endorsement from the local medical society, meet applicable state EMS requirements, and satisfy the stated background, physical, and driving requirements. The County provides medical and operational director malpractice insurance while the physician performs the duties described.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a medical degree that permits board certification and practice as a physician in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Extensive experience practicing emergency medicine, with routine involvement in emergency care such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, pediatric emergencies, and multiple trauma.
Virginia certification or other authority required to practice medicine in Virginia.
Letter of endorsement from the local medical society to practice medicine.
Meet any other requirements in the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health – Governing Emergency Medical Services manual.
Some knowledge of Virginia EMS rules and regulations governing local emergency medical services.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, design, and operation of standard EMS system components.
Ability to evaluate medical service providers and resolve disparities between performance and treatment requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the medical community, Department staff, volunteers, local officials, and the public.
Skill in providing emergency medical care and as an instructor.
Ability to review and analyze EMS processes and identify critical service needs.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, assimilate complex information, and make presentations understandable to diverse audiences.
Acceptable results from a complete criminal history and Child Protective Services background search.
Good physical condition and ability to perform the job’s physical and environmental demands; must pass a post-offer physical examination.
Ability to drive Class I/II emergency vehicles as needed after successfully completing the County-required EVOC program.

Nice To Haves

Education and training in community and operational emergency medical care.
Documented progressively responsible experience with Emergency Medical Service systems.
Experience serving as an OMD in an EMS agency.

Responsibilities

Establish required education, training, and proficiency standards for EMS personnel working under the OMD’s medical license.
Approve participation of pre-hospital providers who practice under the OMD’s license.
Establish guidelines, conduct audits and evaluations, and support EMS provider recertification.
Establish and maintain system-wide treatment protocols, including standing orders.
Respond to Fire/EMS incidents to provide medical oversight and care for sick and injured people.
Facilitate remedial or corrective actions to ensure adherence to State, regional, and local EMS policies.
Provide medical oversight of the Department’s Quality Assurance Program, including through field response.
Establish patient-destination criteria in conjunction with Fire/Rescue staff.
Exercise medical direction over mutual-aid EMS agencies at special events when Roanoke County Fire and Rescue is the lead EMS agency.
Provide medical input into Department disaster-preparedness activities.
Foster collaborative relationships with County staff, regional medical directors, hospital emergency department administration, and practicing physicians.
Establish procedures with Fire/Rescue staff to ensure Department providers have access to the OMD.
Review and support Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grants.
Consult on acquisition and deployment of resources.
Serve as a resource for proper management of agency medical records.
Promote injury prevention, provider safety, patient safety, and improved patient outcomes.
Direct and oversee EMD training.
Oversee development and monitoring of the EMD program.
Participate in program evaluations for the ECC EMD program.
Direct the medical care instructions and information provided by Emergency Medical Dispatchers.
Assist the EMD guidance committee in designing and predetermining emergency responses and modes.
Assist in designing and approving EMD guide cards.
Adhere to applicable Roanoke County and Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department policies and procedures.
Assist in establishing standards for promotion to higher levels of patient-care responsibility.
Research and recommend adoption of new medical technologies.
Work with the Battalion Chief – EMS to assist in supervising the overall EMS system.