Fire Department - Single Role Paramedic

Town of Agawam•Agawam, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Single-Role Paramedic provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical care and transport as a member of the Agawam Fire Department. This EMS-dedicated position has no fire suppression, interior firefighting, or technical rescue duties. The Paramedic staffs Department ambulances, provides pre-hospital care under Massachusetts Statewide Treatment Protocols and the Affiliate Hospital Medical Director, and transports patients to appropriate receiving facilities. The role works alongside dual-role firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs as part of an integrated response. The Paramedic works under the general supervision of the Shift Officer for operations and the EMS Coordinator for clinical matters. The position has no formal supervisory responsibilities, but the Paramedic directs EMTs, firefighters, and first responders in patient care at scenes. The position requires independent, time-critical clinical decisions and work on assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and holdover or recall. The work is physically demanding, performed in all weather and at all hours, and involves exposure to medical, environmental, and critical-incident hazards. The position operates in the cold zone at fire and hazardous-materials scenes and does not enter IDLH atmospheres.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current Massachusetts OEMS Paramedic certification in good standing, with no pending enforcement action.
Maintain NREMT Paramedic certification if held; Massachusetts renewal requires valid NREMT certification at the time of application.
Current CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications from instructor-led or blended courses with an in-person hands-on skills evaluation.
Valid Massachusetts driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
NIMS ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700, or completion within six months of hire.
Complete a Department-approved Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) within the probationary period.
Successful credentialing by the Affiliate Hospital Medical Director.
Knowledge of Massachusetts Statewide Treatment Protocols, 105 CMR 170.000, and M.G.L. c. 111C.
Knowledge of paramedic-level anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology; ALS equipment; STEMI, stroke, and trauma destination plans; incident command; and mass-casualty triage.
Ability to rapidly assess patients, make clinical decisions, manage advanced airways, interpret ECGs, operate emergency vehicles safely, and communicate and document clearly.
Ability to work calmly under stress in unpredictable and hazardous environments; communicate with patients, families, hospital staff, and crews, including people in crisis; work rotating or 24-hour shifts as scheduled; remain on duty when relieved late; function as part of a fire-based team; and maintain confidentiality.
Pass a Department-approved pre-employment medical examination and EMS-specific physical ability test.
Meet the stated physical demands, including lifting and carrying 125 pounds with a partner (250 pounds combined), lifting equipment up to 50 pounds unassisted, and performing patient movement and CPR tasks.
Satisfactory pre-employment CORI check and driving-record review; pre-employment medical exam, drug screen, and EMS physical ability test; and required immunization documentation or a permitted declination.
Maintain Massachusetts Paramedic certification, ACLS, CPR, and Medical Director credentialing throughout employment.
Complete a 12-month probationary period and comply with Department rules, regulations, SOGs, and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Reside within 40 miles of the Town of Agawam border within 12 months of employment.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of ALS experience in a 911 system.

Responsibilities

Respond to emergency and non-emergency medical calls; assess, treat, and transport patients at the ALS level.
Perform advanced paramedic skills, including cardiac monitoring, 12-lead acquisition and interpretation, manual defibrillation, cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, advanced airway management, IV/IO access, and protocol-based medication administration.
Recognize and activate time-critical STEMI, stroke, trauma, and sepsis pathways.
Lead clinical care on ALS calls and direct EMTs and first responders in patient care.
Provide triage and treatment at mass-casualty incidents within the incident command structure.
Operate Department ambulances safely under emergency and non-emergency conditions and Department policy.
Check ambulance equipment, supplies, and medications at the start of a shift and report deficiencies.
Maintain controlled-substance custody, security, and documentation in accordance with applicable requirements.
Clean and decontaminate ambulances and equipment after patient contacts.
Complete accurate and timely electronic patient care reports and obtain required signatures and insurance information for billing.
Protect patient privacy and participate in quality assurance and quality improvement review, implementing corrective action as directed.
Support fireground operations in the EMS role only, including rehabilitation, personnel medical monitoring, and standby; do not enter hazard zones.
Attend Department training, protocol updates, and continuing education.
Provide public education, including CPR, Stop the Bleed, and blood pressure clinics.
Maintain professional conduct and represent the Department to the public, hospitals, and mutual-aid partners.
Perform related duties as assigned.