Paramedic JobThe Paramedic's primary responsibility is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. The Paramedic must possess the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. The Paramedic through recognized standards of care, continued education, system developed standard operating guidelines and compliance to medically sound policies and procedures, must be able to properly assess the scene, accurately interrogate and assess the patient, and provide the demanded standard of professional care. The Paramedic plays a pivotal role in providing comfort, aid, all levels of life support to all patients who require pre-hospital care. The Paramedic must acknowledge that no two patients are alike and some clinical presentations may not rise to the level of life saving intervention. It is the duty of the Paramedic to deploy compassion and empathy during all perceived emergencies and to provide thorough and complete care. Essential Functions Of Job: Maintain a constant state of readiness and fitness for duty. This included the completion of both vehicle and equipment inventories along with operation check lists. When deficiencies are noted, the Paramedic will report those findings to management and will take an active role in mitigating or correcting said deficiency. When assigned to a medical incident, the Paramedic may drive corporate vehicles to and from specified locations following instructions from the emergency medical dispatcher. While the vehicle is in use, the Paramedic will adhere to all applicable corporate safety standards and comply with all applicable traffic law to promote a culture of safety. Upon arrival to the scene of a medical event or emergency, The Paramedic will ensure a zone of safety within the working area. This includes but is not limited to securing the corporate vehicle in a safe manner and ensuring that the working environment is free obvious or perceived hazards. If possible, the Paramedic will attempt to safely mitigate any hazards presented, or at the very least, articulate said hazards to any and all parties responding to the same event to promote a culture of safety. Upon engagement with a patient, the Paramedic will properly complete a thorough assessment of the patient's clinical condition and when necessary, will deploy the prescribed treatment as defined by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS Statewide BLS or ALS Protocols. Additionally, the Paramedic will adhere to specific corporate clinical care expectations and function as an advocate for patient's rights and their overall wellbeing. During the course of clinical care, the Paramedic shall demonstrate competency and proficiency with various type of medical equipment and shall utilize said equipment in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS: Scope of Practice for Emergency Medical Providers. Following a clinical engagement, the Paramedic will provide a complete and thorough written and/or verbal report to the receiving facility/hospital or other care provider noting a patient's clinical presentation, any treatment or intervention provided by the Paramedic, and any other pertinent information as deemed necessary to that specific encounter. Afterward, the Paramedic will complete any and all necessary documentation or electronic patient care report as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS.At the completion of a patient engagement, the Paramedic will ensure that their assigned equipment and/or vehicle is efficiently returned to a state of readiness. This includes the restocking of required equipment or supplies, the necessary cleaning and decontamination of reusable equipment, or by cleaning and decontaminating the assigned corporate vehicle. Throughout the course of their duties, the Paramedic will function as an engaged team member within the organization. This is accomplished by the promotion of a positive attitude, the willingness to learn, and to openly communicate with both their peers and with management. Externally, the Paramedic will function as an engaged partner in public safety by coordinating with other emergency medical team members, fire department staff, and law enforcement when necessary. Other Duties Of Job: Attends meetings, training, and seminars as required. Performs other duties as assigned and required. Supervision Received: Receives occasional instruction and supervision from the Station Supervisor, District Chiefs and Administration. Supervision Given: Provides occasion instruction to EMT crew member.
Working Conditions:
May work indoors or outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Works within average exposures to noises and stress; subject to frequent disruption.
Normal exposure to dust/dirt.
Periodically works beyond normal work hours or on an as-needed basis.
Often work in cramped work spaces within vehicles or on accident scenes that require getting into physically demanding/awkward positions.
Regularly wear protective gear, such as goggles, masks, or respirators and gloves.
Are exposed to contaminants including blood borne pathogens on a daily basis.
Are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable on occasion.
May sometimes work in cold or hot temperatures, depending on the work locale.
Physical/Mental Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The position requires significant physical strength and dexterity and the ability to function in very adverse environments with exposure to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes. The following guidelines are used to describe the frequency of activities in this position of a typical workday:
Occasionally equals 1-33%Frequently equals 34-66%Continuously equals 67-100%Standing/Walking:
Continuously. This usually includes: ambulating to and from the emergency vehicle, collecting patients from their locations, and rendering treatment. Most walking would be for short distances. However, the employee must also be able to run these same distances, in case of an emergency where time is of the essence. Walking and running may vary, however, as the patient may be located inside a large, multi-floored facility.
Standing, walking and running could be on all types of surfaces, including but not limited to: asphalt, cement, concrete, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, hardwood floors, etc. The individual must be able to traverse slight inclines or declines that may be found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. At a location, standing would occur more often than walking or running. Standing would occur on the wide variety of surfaces mentioned above. Standing could last from a few minutes to hours, depending on the situation. Standing could occur in the standard erect position, the kneeling or squatting position, etc.
Sitting:
Frequently. When responding to a location, the individual will sit in the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicles are equipped with a standard installed vehicle seat. The time performing the sitting activity on a call would depend upon the specific situation. Frequently in station, as the facility is equipped with a small lounge area that is furnished. Employee must be able to sit at a computer to complete trip sheets. Desk chairs are provided.
Lifting And Carrying:
Frequently. Required to lift and carry weights ranging from a few pounds to ten pounds and above. Occasionally required to lift and carry weights in excess of 100 pounds or more. Employees will need to lift and carry with the assistance of one team member adult patients, lifting them from various positions (such as a bed or a chair) onto various patient movement devices, such as an ambulance stretcher, a stair chair, long back boards, etc., and then efficiently move them into an ambulance. Other heavier objects in the high range category may include 5-foot tall, 10 inch diameter oxygen cylinders, and similar medical equipment. The oxygen cylinders can be made of quarter-inch steel and weigh up to 120 pounds. The medical equipment containers can weigh approximately fifty pounds or more.
Bending And Stooping:
Frequently. Throughout a work shift the individual will be required to bend in a range of 1 to 90 degrees. The average situation will require the individual to work in a range of 35 to 65 degree bends. This would involve: lifting a patient, lifting equipment, treating a patient at ground level, sitting on a bench located in the ambulance. This activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more. During any given call, the provider may bend and/or stoop any number of times per incident.
Crouching And Kneeling:
Frequently. Crouching and kneeling may be performed when on the scene, picking up equipment or assisting patients. The actual number of times this is done depends on the particular incident.
Climbing:
Occasionally. This is required to ascend and descend stairs or steps, while carrying equipment or a patient secured to an extrication device, and when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle. Generally, the climbing would require that the employee be lifting and carrying heavy objects such as a patient extrication device. Balancing may be required when backing down staircases.
Reaching
