GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, provides emergency medical treatment on assigned shift. Work involves responding to situations by dispatch to render aid to victims of trauma or illness; provides basic level pre-hospital emergency medical care and Basic Life Support in accordance with local protocols, medical directives, and State regulations; may utilize situational analysis and ingenuity to accomplish the task of patient care outside the clinical setting; may be exposed to hazards of Emergency Medical Service duty including exposure to infectious disease or risk of injury and must act to prevent harm to the patient, himself, and coworkers; working with other agencies in response to a mass casualty or terrorist attack; and may be required to perform non-emergency operational, administrative, or public relations tasks as directed. Reports to the Captain /Deputy Director of Emergency Medical Services.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Operates emergency vehicles, ground ambulances, or non-transporting quick response vehicles; utilizes the most expeditious route while maintaining radio contact with dispatch and other responding units and has the ability to read and understand maps.

Makes decisions regarding utilization of available resources or need for additional resources; summons assistance from higher-level certification when patient’s needs exceed capability of basic level certification.

Communicates clearly to gather necessary information regarding patient medical history and mechanism of injury; deals with the public with tact, courtesy, empathy, and firmness; maintains absolute discretion regarding patient privacy.

Works cooperatively with Police, Fire, Dispatch, and other Emergency Medical Service agencies; maintains working knowledge of the FEMA National Incident Management System.

Assesses and examines the patient; considers the nature of the illness or extent of injury; rules out inappropriate treatment; seeks Paramedic assistance if needed; provides the proper care and treatment, patient handling/packaging, and transport to definitive care.

Communicates necessary patient information to doctors, nurses, and other emergency medical personnel to enable seamless transfer of patient care to hospital personnel or another transporting agency both verbal and written..

Records accurate and thorough Patient Care Reports; documents the physical condition and treatment provided to the patient while in the Emergency Medical Technician’s care.

Maintains vehicles, equipment, supplies, and station facilities to assure all will be ready to fulfill the agency mission.

Completes assigned administrative tasks; contributes to public relations or public education opportunities; provides first-aid standby at festivals, sporting events, or other public gatherings.

Participates in ongoing training, skill practice/assessments, quality assurance, and didactic education required to continually enhance the level of care provided; maintains State certifications; remains recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Remains current in American Heart Association Basic Life Support.

Operates an assortment of equipment and hand tools used in EMS service, which may or may not include response vehicles, self-contained breathing apparatus, life-saving / life supporting equipment, extrication equipment, generators, flood lights, etc. Uses diagnostic instruments, medical supplies and instruments, special protective clothing, cleaning supplies, hand and power tools, etc.

Operates a two-way radio, telephone, copier and GPS.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, other department supervisors, co-workers, other County personnel, other government agencies, municipal personnel, volunteers, fire / EMS personnel of other jurisdictions, civic and community organizations, school personnel, students, business/property owners, sales representatives, medical/hospital personnel, accident/incident bystanders, patients, and the general public.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent with vocational or technical school training in Emergency Medical Technician Basic supplemented by one year experience in Emergency Medical Service programs; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.Must have completed an approved Emergency Vehicle operations training and Basic Life Support courseware. Must have a valid South Carolina driver’s license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Emergency tasks involve the ability to exert extremely heavy physical effort in very heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of very heavy objects and materials.Worker must be able to remain on feet for extended periods of time, withstand uncomfortable and/or dangerous physical conditions at fire scenes, and perform manual tasks; must be able to lift, position and/or carry weights in excess of 100 pounds.

Data Conception:Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications:Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability:Requires ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, technical manuals, equipment instructions, maps, medical reference books, diagrams, etc.Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, forms, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to teach employees. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including fire science, emergency medical response, hydraulics, electrical, etc.

Numerical Aptitude:Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to utilize mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time and weight.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office and specialized machinery; to operate motor vehicles and rescue units.

Manual Dexterity:Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, tools, medical instruments, etc.Must have significant levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination and Visual Acuity:Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color; requires the visual acuity to determine depth perception, night vision, peripheral vision, inspection for small parts; preparing and analyzing written or computer data, etc.

Interpersonal Temperament:Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, unusual or dangerous situations.The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a significant degree, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications:Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing:perceiving nature of sounds by ear).