Paramedic

Overview

This is skilled specialized work as a licensed Maryland Paramedic. Provides basic and advanced life support medical care to ill and injured persons at the scene of a medical emergency or other traumatic events. Under the direction of the Chief of Emergency Medical Services, this position is accountable for responding to all assigned calls for assistance in the most appropriate and efficient manner, providing the highest standard of patient care while providing a safe and hazard-free environment.

The Paramedic contributes to overall patient care in the areas of patient assessment, treatment, packaging and transport. This position interacts throughout the County internally, and with patients and their families externally. In addition, this position interacts with various first responder agencies and healthcare providers, physicians and hospital personnel, externally. The nature of the work involves unpredictable circumstances that may include the threat or actual presence of harm.

Most of the work is performed indoors or outdoors in emergency situations that may expose the employee to a variety of dangerous conditions, such as hazardous materials, chemicals, smoke or weakened/unstable structures. Employees are exposed to physically and mentally stressful situations, including trauma, illness, contagious diseases, extreme temperatures and contaminated environments. Employment involves working in inclement weather, at all hours of the day or night and holidays, to respond to emergency situations and requests for assistance.

Driving emergency vehicles is a substantial portion of the job.

• Treats individuals who are ill and/or injured and individuals in an emotionally distressed state in an appropriate manner and according to national, state, and local guidelines;
• Administers care to ill or injured persons (patients) at the scene of a medical emergency, including basic and advanced life support, in response to emergency calls. Transports patients to appropriate facilities;
• Provides high quality patient care utilizing a thorough knowledge and appropriate administration of BLS/ALS interventions as outlined by national, state, and local guidelines.
• Completes an accurate and through patient care report using eMEDS or other reporting software;
• Provides direction, supervision and assistance to others in general execution of EMS duties; maintenance of apparatus and equipment; and general housekeeping activities;
• Performs required inspections to ensure medical supplies are stocked; equipment and apparatus is always clean and operational;
• Assures that all documentation required by local policy, MIEMSS and the EMS Division is accurate and completed in a timely manner, prior to submission;
• Conducts post incident analysis with co-workers to point out positive points, assure quality documentation, areas of improvement and to assure adequate skills are maintained;
• May serve as a field training officer, providing guidance and instruction to employees and EMS students;
• Participates in approved continuing education training classes, meetings, and skills review;
• May provide classroom and course instruction for EMS related topics;
• Must be able to operate emergency vehicles; ambulances, EMS chase vehicles and other related apparatus in accordance with County driving procedures and Emergency Medical Services Division Standard Operating Guidelines;
• Maintain a strict level of security concerning confidentiality of all information encountered and according to County Policy, HIPAA, and the high-tech security act;
• Reports to work regularly, on time and dressed appropriately;
• Assists other emergency service agencies as required/requested;
• Performs other duties as instructed and assigned.

• Best practices, methods, protocols, guidelines and techniques for responding to emergency or non-emergency situations;
• National, state, and local best practices related to EMS clinical care and operations;
• Through knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and standards, as they apply to the field of EMS;
• Relevant medical equipment and ability to inspect and maintain such equipment;
• St. Mary’s County geography and locations of area emergency care facilities.

• Effectively evaluate the overall scene and make decisions that keep all 1st responders safe;
• Evaluate the condition of a patient by conducting an effective interview and physical exam and formulate an effective care plan;
• Provide patient care that is safe, timely, effective and efficient;
• Maintain documentation of calls and monitor patient care in written and computerized form;
• Safely and effectively operate complex medical equipment;
• Drive an Emergency Vehicle;
  Ambulance or EMS Chase Vehicle or other related apparatus;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Establish and maintain working relationship with superiors, co-workers, volunteers, EMS staff and fire service personnel, MIEMSS, MFRI, hospitals and their staff in surrounding area and public;
• Communicate…