EMT Paramedic

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

11d•$18 - $32

About The Position

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day. Performs duties described in the United States Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration position description for EMT Paramedic including; responding to requests from the public for emergency medical assistance; examining, assessing and stabilizing patients at the point of call and during transport to the appropriate point of entry.

Requirements

Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Certified in CPR - Basic Rescue by either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support by the American Heart Association.
Valid driver license.
Experienced in accident scene management and control.
Demonstrated ability to work well under often stressful situations.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Worcester EMS paramedic who has completed the clinical competencies and remain current for the DAI/RSI program.

Nice To Haves

Minimum three year’s experience in an urban EMS service integrated with a municipal first response system.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Responsibilities

Administers skilled medical care to individuals in response to calls for emergency treatment in accordance with the Massachusetts EMS Pre-Hospital Treatment protocols. Examines, assesses, and stabilizes patients at emergency scene, i.e., advanced cardiac life support, hemorrhage control, treatment for shock, immobilization of fractures, bandaging, proper treatment for burns, poisoning, or drug overdose, manages gynecological emergencies, delivers newborn, manages mentally disturbed patient, etc.
Obtains medical history. Checks vital signs. Advises/informs on-call physician of diagnostic indication. Performs definitive life support. Administers treatment and utilizes advanced life support equipment and procedures as directed by authorized physician, i.e., performs endotracheal intubation, defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, nasogastric intubation, closed chest intraosseus fluids, etc. May perform external trans thoracic cardiac pacing, medication enhanced intubation including surgical cricothyroidotomy, and other advanced scope of practice procedures.
Responds to a wide range of emergency situations as required.
Provides control at the scene of medical emergency. Conducts triage, treatment and transportation at mass casualty incidents including incidents involving terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
Documents pre-hospital care received by patients in order to facilitate admission to health care facility and for database purposes.
Prepares patients for transport. Consults with radio dispatcher as to appropriate available medical facility in order to ensure immediate treatment of patient upon arrival. Monitors patient in ambulance to maintain stability. Administers additional treatment when necessary.
Drives ambulance to and from scene of emergency. Inspects, clears, stocks and may make repairs (in emergency) to Emergency Medical Services vehicle and equipment to ensure and provide continuous availability of appropriately decontaminated units.
Maintains control of narcotics Class B and C. Maintain up-to-date records of inventory of both narcotic and non-narcotic medications stored in vehicle and supply source at hospital. Ensures emergency vehicle is properly stocked with necessary supplies, equipment and medications.
Reports suspected abuse following standard procedure.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
Establishing and maintaining peripheral IV access
Administering medications and fluids within hospital defined scope
Participating in “Overwatch” activities which involve meeting with other clinical staff to identify patients at elevated risk of clinical decompensation and monitoring these patients for any acute changes throughout the course of a shift. Any worsening or significant change to be communicated to the care team.
Working in a collaborative fashion as part of the care team with physicians, APPs, PCAs, Unit Secretaries, Respiratory Therapists, and RN staff.
Assist with procedures and patient care activities at the request of the clinical team.
Assisting with transport of critical patients to and from areas of the hospital while monitoring for any acute changes.
When summoned in case of critical decompensation or cardiac arrest, at the direction of the physician or APP, will be responsible for management of the patient’s airway according to the Resuscitation and Airway Management Specialist (RAMS) training and scope. The airway procedures will include: o Administration of medications for induction prior to paralysis to include Ketamine and Etomidate as well as to suggest adjunct medications such as fentanyl if indicated. o Administration of neuromuscular blockade using either succinylcholine or rocuronium. o Administration if needed of push dose vasopressors in the case of hemodynamic instability. o Use of LMAs and other supraglottic airways. o BVM ventilation. o Use of PEEP valve during ventilation. o Direct laryngoscopy. o Video laryngoscopy. o Orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation. o Use of bougie to assist in intubation. o Cricothyrotmy in Cannot intubate, cannot ventilate (CICO) situations. o Placement of orogastric or nasograstric tube.