Ground Paramedic - ED (full-time)

Billings Clinic•Billings, MT

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Ground Paramedic provides direct and indirect patient care in the Emergency Department and during ground medical transports, within the defined scope of practice for their education and certification and under the direction or supervision of the medical director, charge nurse, and/or physician. The role involves responding quickly and accurately to changes in a patient’s condition or response to treatment, communicating those changes and relevant diagnostic results to physicians, registered nurses, managers, and coworkers, and collaborating in the coordination of care. The paramedic assists physicians with procedures, performs technical and manual services, supports patient safety, documents care according to current standards, and operates equipment safely. Additional scope-of-practice responsibilities include airway management, medication administration, IV pump use, 12-lead EKG interpretation and communication, and stroke identification and communication. The role also includes stocking supplies, reporting equipment requiring repair, helping cover department staffing needs, and participating in quality improvement and required competency activities. This is a full-time, non-exempt position in Emergency Department Services at Billings Clinic Hospital. The schedule varies and is listed as 0.90 FTE, or 72 hours every two weeks. Starting wage is $22.78–$28.48, depending on experience. Billings Clinic describes itself as a community-owned, not-for-profit, physician-led health system with more than 4,700 employees, over 550 physicians and non-physician providers, and a 304-bed hospital. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible full- and part-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, a defined contribution pension plan, paid time off, and an employee wellness program.

Requirements

Associate degree (AAS in Paramedic Medicine), or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the listed tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Three years of prior experience in an applicable field within the last five years.
Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications.
PHTLS or TPATC.
NRP and STABLE.
Montana license or certification as a Paramedic.
Current Montana driver’s license and ability to be insured to operate Billings Clinic vehicles.
Must be free of motion sickness, or have no recurring history of motion sickness that could interfere with patient care during transport of a critical patient with limited personnel available.
Ability to perform the minimum qualifications of a MedFlight EMT - Basic/Intermediate Level I.
Knowledge and skills in radio communications, EMS dispatching, and hospital and transport protocols pertaining to the MedFlight transport team.
Patient care and assessment principles and skills within the scope of licensure or certification; infection-control and safety practices; analytical and assessment skills; prioritization of patient-care needs; and public relations.
Professional verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and effectively and establish and maintain collaborative relationships.
Ability to incorporate cultural diversity and age-appropriate care into communication and patient care for patients from infancy through geriatric age.
Ability to work independently and with others, handle frequent interruptions and changing priorities, react calmly and professionally in emergencies or difficult situations, and pay close attention to detail.
Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry weights while transporting patients and supplies.
Knowledge of basic and advanced airway maneuvers, including intubation, LMA, video laryngoscopy, and cricothyroidotomy; medication administration and pharmacology indications, contraindications, and side effects; IV medication administration per protocol; critical-care medications including ACLS drugs and vasoactive medications; IV pump use; 12-lead EKG knowledge and interpretation; and stroke knowledge and identification.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care in the Emergency Department and on ground medical transports within the scope of practice for the employee’s education and certification, as directed or supervised by the charge nurse and/or physician.
Comply with applicable State of Montana rules and regulations and Emergency Department and Billings Clinic policies and procedures.
Communicate changes in patients’ clinical conditions, diagnostic results, and symptoms to physicians, registered nurses, nurse managers, and coworkers.
Respond quickly and accurately to changes in patient condition or response to treatment.
Maintain adequate supplies, notify appropriate personnel about equipment requiring repair, and initiate work requisitions.
Participate in covering the staffing needs of the department.
Use performance-improvement principles to assess and improve quality.
Identify goals for professional growth and development and meet mandatory organizational and departmental requirements.
Maintain competency in organizational, departmental, and outside-agency safety standards and complete required skills-checklist competencies.
Administer medications appropriately based on patient age, clinical condition, EMS core curriculum, and the five medication rights.
Assist physicians with procedures and perform services requiring technical and manual skills.
Answer patient call lights, anticipate patient needs, and conduct patient safety rounds.
Treat patients and families with respect and dignity, addressing psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious or spiritual needs.
Provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan and interpret patient-status data to identify age-specific needs.
Perform patient care in a way that optimizes safety and reduces the likelihood of medical or healthcare errors.
Communicate clearly and appropriately with registered nurses, nurse managers, coworkers, and physicians, and maintain effective working relationships within and across departments.
Document care in accordance with current standards and policies.
Manage and operate equipment safely and collaborate in coordinating patient care as necessary.
Remain flexible and organized and function effectively under stressful, changing, or interrupted work conditions; meet deadlines, maintain accuracy, and respond professionally in emergent or difficult situations.
Perform additional scope-of-practice responsibilities, including basic and advanced airway maneuvers; medication and pharmacology management; IV medication administration per protocol; use of IV pumps; and 12-lead EKG and stroke identification, interpretation, and communication.