Paramedic

Performs complex technical work administering non-emergency and/or emergency medical care in the pre-hospital setting and transportation of the sick and injured to the hospital.

Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for administering non-emergency and/or emergency medical care at the Paramedic level. Work generally requires the employee to assess treat and transport patients. Work is performed under general supervision of the EMS Captain. Employees will work 12 hour shifts and would be assigned to either straight days or nights.

Licenses and Certifications
- Valid North Carolina Driver License.
- NC Paramedic Credential or a Paramedic Credential from another state or National Registry with ability to obtain reciprocity in North Carolina at Paramedic Level.
- ACLS PALS CPR and NIMS/ICSand 800 (preferred or able to obtain in first year of employment.

Illustrative Examples of Work
- Responds to calls for non-emergency and/or emergency medical assistance; and operates emergency vehicles to transport patients.
- Provides initial medical assessment and treatment to patients including basic and advanced life support treatment in accordance with established procedures and medical protocols; dispenses medication to patients according to protocols.
- Completes forms and reports concerning all events and activities surrounding patient medical care.
- Provides guidance and direction to students and new Emergency Medical employees.
- Ensures the proper functioning of all emergency medical equipment and vehicles through regular checks.
- Ensures adequate inventory of medical supplies and equipment on emergency vehicles through regular checks; cleans and maintains emergency vehicles and reports damages.
- Maintains knowledge and skill in relation to new protocols compliance procedures GOGs and new equipment through continuing education and seminars.
- Coordinates with agencies that provide mutual aid.
- Maintains a clean base and ambulance.
- Provides outreach education in the community.
- Participates in pre-planning by researching compiling and organizing data for future emergent situations (i.e. mass casualty incidents airport emergencies search and rescue and inter-agency response).
- Adheres to the departments safety rules and regulations.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of emergency care including diagnosis proper treatment and transportation.
- Comprehensive knowledge of basic and advanced emergency medical and life-sustaining techniques including cardiac care trauma and shock care ventilation and other CPR techniques.
- Skill in the administration of emergency medical techniques and in the use of specialized equipment associated with advanced life support.
- Skill in patient assessment.
- General knowledge of medical terminology.
- General knowledge of the geographic layout of the County.
- General knowledge of radio communications and 911 dispatching.
- General knowledge of infection control and OSHA guidelines.
- General knowledge of computers.
- Skill in driving in emergency situations.
- Skill in the use of rescue tools and equipment.
- Skill in extrication techniques.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees physicians associates patients and their families other emergency service agencies and the general public.

Physical Requirements
- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing balancing stooping kneeling crouching crawling reaching standing walking pushing pulling lifting fingering grasping feeling talking hearing and repetitive motions.
- Must be able to perform very heavy work exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Must possess visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures perform transcription operate a computer terminal perform extensive reading perform visual inspection of small defects or parts operation or inspection of machines use measurement devices and perform assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to eyes.
- May be subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
- May be subject to noise.
- May be subject to vibration.
- May be subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts electrical current working on scaffolding and high places exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
- May be subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory of the skin such as fumes odors dusts mists gases or poor ventilation.
- May be subject to oils.
- May be required to wear a respirator.
- May be subject to working frequently in close quarters crawl space shafts man holes small enclosed rooms small sewage and water line pipes and other areas which could cause claustrophobia.
- May be required to function in narrow aisles or passage ways.
- May be subject to contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids.

Education and Experience
- Vocational/Technical Paramedic training.
- Associates degree in Emergency Medical Science and some experience in a related medical profession; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (preferred).
- Thirty hours of continuing education annually.