Paramedic

Sccad•St. Peters, MO

About The Position

PURPOSE The Paramedic responds to and provides emergency care to the sick and injured. Assesses the nature and extent of patient illness/injury, administers appropriate care of patients utilizing muscular strength, coordination and endurance and provides emergency and non-emergency transport of patients to predetermined destinations. While not providing emergency services, the Paramedic engages in a proactive community-oriented EMS program that seeks to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of the community. The paramedic is a vital part of the EMS system and is expected to be a leader during emergencies and an expert in their craft. DESCRIPTION Paramedics shall be full-time, hourly employees of the District who report directly to their respective Battalion Chief

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
CPR
ACLS
PHTLS or BTLS
Valid driver’s license.
Valid Paramedic license issued by the Missouri Department of Health.
21 years of age or older.
Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
Language and Interpersonal Communication Skills – Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals and ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families.
Reasoning Ability – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Computer Skills – Ability to operate windows-based applications
Handle a significant number of stressful situations, and be able to function in a calm, cool, and collected manner, under all types of stressful situations.
Appropriately deal with stress and maintain composure when encountering serious injuries or illnesses.
Anticipate and identify problems and take initiative to prevent or correct them.

Responsibilities

Prompt and regular attendance at work.
Regularly attend staff meetings, read all communications, complete all online training assignments, to remain informed of current District policy and procedures, especially any changes to prior policy/practice
Effectively follow all SCCAD EMS policies, procedures, guidelines, and chain of command.
Follow medical care practice guidelines as documented in SCCAD EMS Protocols and mandated by the Chief Medical Officer – Medical Director.
Maintain all required certifications according to District policy.
Attendance at all Continuing Education (CE) courses as policy dictates.
Assess and treat any medical situation with appropriate techniques (resources and equipment) while maintaining the highest standard of patient care and professionalism according to the Districts Mission, Vision and Values.
Conduct self in a highly ethical and professional manner projecting a positive District image while always maintaining a neat and professional appearance in accordance with District policies.
Maintain a positive, professional, and cooperative working relationship with physicians, nurses, public safety agencies, the public, allied health professionals, and other members of our EMS system.
Complete all documentation regarding patient care and billing information in accordance with District policy.
Maintain thorough knowledge of the ambulance and equipment, its function and use and reporting any malfunction or damage to equipment promptly in accordance with District policy.
Maintain the ambulance in a clean, organized and response ready mode.
The paramedic responsible for driving will be responsible to always operate the ambulance under control and in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws that govern ambulance operation, and in accordance with approved company policy and safe and efficient ambulance operations.
Responsible for safe handling of patient transport during loading and unloading, transport on stretcher, and actual transport in the ambulance.
Function as Incident Commander when necessary.
Quickly assesses the nature and extent of a patient’s illness and/or injury and administers appropriate emergency care within the licensure and training of a Missouri State paramedic.
Emergency care may include computing amounts of drugs or IV fluids and administering them; applying knowledge of drug dosages, reactions, and interactions; performing endotracheal intubation; operating cardiac monitoring equipment and defibrillators; performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; assisting in child birth operating a pulse oximeter; bandaging wounds; operating and maintaining all other pieces of emergency equipment which the paramedic is licensed to use in the State of Missouri.
Determines patient condition in order to decide upon appropriate treatment and/or to assist a physician in making such decisions by conducting a primary assessment that includes checking level of consciousness, airway, breathing, blood pressure, pulse, lung sounds, pupils, skin color and skin temperature; and by conducting a secondary assessment that includes a focused or complete head-to-toe physical inspection and asking the patient or other knowledgeable persons about medications, current medical treatment, and prior conditions or illnesses.
Uses muscular strength, coordination and endurance needed for lifting, moving and restraining patients.
Able to work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold.
Able to work long periods of time in a standing position and perform well with little sleep.
Uses aural keenness needed to evaluate physical characteristics of a patient such as blood pressure, crepitation, and lung sounds.
Has the ability to function well in stressful situations to deal tactfully with patients, family members and co-workers.
Able to cooperate and maintain a good rapport with fire, police and hospital personnel.
Operates the ambulance communication equipment and communicates information in a professional manner.
Relays patient assessment information to the medical control physician in a clear, concise manner and provides frequent updates as needed regarding the patient’s condition.
Follows the pre-approved District protocols or treatment orders of the medical control physician.
Prepares patients for transportation by “packaging” patients through use of appropriate splints such as back boards, cervical collars, and head immobilization devices when necessary; by removing patients from vehicle wreckage; and by restraining, lifting and carrying patients to and from the ambulance or up and down stairs.
Drives the ambulance in order to reach and transport patients as quickly as possible while protecting the community from accidents by following local and state driving regulations and the District’s vehicle operating policies and procedures; by using various maps and directional guides; and by applying a knowledge of District streets, roads and landmarks.
Records information relating to patient assessment, treatment administered, and any other pertinent information on the Patient Care Report (PCR) and other appropriate documents in a clear, concise and timely manner.
Establishes priorities of care in a multicausality situation, and direct others to assist in care as needed utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS) as it pertains to District operations.
Assumes a leadership role in patient care situations when working with an E.M.T.
Checks the inventory of the ambulance at the beginning of each shift by visually inspecting and counting numerous items such as medical supplies and equipment.
Keeps an ongoing inventory of equipment and supplies used during the shift and reports any equipment that is lost, broken or malfunctioning or which is not replaced during the shift.
Ensures that the vehicle and all equipment is kept clean and in good working order at all times.
Continually re-evaluates emergency care knowledge and techniques and participates in District training classes to maintain skill and knowledge proficiency, while fulfilling State re-licensure requirements.
Participates in public relation and public education presentations as requested. Presentations shall be conducted with a spirit of professionalism and enthusiasm.
Completes routine housekeeping tasks and other assigned duties including cleaning of the ambulance and the crews' living quarters in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and maintain a constant state of preparedness.
All District paramedics will participate in the mandatory Annual Physical and Wellness Exam as outlined in District Policy 103-21
Completes other duties as assigned by the paramedic’s divisional leadership