Paramedic

Under general supervision, performs response work in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), specifically advanced prehospital medical care in emergent and non-emergency situations with the primary focus on providing patient care as the attendant in charge of an ambulance. Work involves performing advanced life support and operating associated equipment and apparatus; and training in the methods and techniques of emergency medical services, patient care, and the use of equipment and apparatus. Employee is also responsible for inspecting and maintaining equipment and performing various maintenance and custodial duties at the assigned fire station. Reports to Fire Lieutenant or Captain.

• Responds to emergency calls for medical assistance that may include fires, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, rescue operations, downed power lines, and other emergency situations; responds to instructions from dispatcher.
• Maintains a state of readiness/preparation for emergency response; checks/maintains stock of equipment and supplies on medic unit and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; prepares apparatus for subsequent emergencies.
• Drives, operates, and monitors up to Class 2 emergency vehicles (ambulance and utility); determines best route to reach location of emergency calls; performs safe driving functions in various weather conditions; positions apparatus and equipment for optimal use of equipment.
• Administers first aid, artificial respiration, basic and advanced life support, or other level of medical care according to level of certification; works to stabilize patients at incident scenes; determines nature and extent of illness/injury; obtains, records, and monitors patients' vital signs; administers initial treatment at emergency scene; communicates with medical personnel at emergency treatment facility to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and to arrange for reception of victims at treatment facility; performs physical lifting techniques associated with moving patients between incident site, stretcher or ambulance; completes or ensures completion of required records/reports.
• Conducts patient assessments; assesses nature and severity of illness/injury and identifies life threatening problems; determines/prioritizes appropriate medical treatment/procedures and need for additional assistance; performs patient triage; takes and records patient's vital signs; performs physical examinations and obtains patient history; assesses status of patient's neurological system, cardiovascular system, circulatory system, skeletal system, orthopedic system, motor and sensory skills, and level of consciousness.
• Performs necessary medical interventions at the level of Paramedic; provides advanced emergency medical care to sick/injured persons, which may include providing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), trauma care, pediatric care, obstetrical care, advanced airway management, and/or drug treatments; provides advanced level of care for victims of cardiac or respiratory arrest; performs cardiac monitoring and defibrillation; maintains circulation and controls bleeding; provides spinal management and immobilization; provides fluid resuscitation by IV; manages trauma injuries, bleeding, and post-traumatic shock; administers injections of medications and drugs, including drugs to treat emergency cardiac conditions, following established protocols; performs invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients with life-threatening conditions, per established procedures or as authorized/directed by physicians.
• Provides assistance to other public service agencies or outside organizations as appropriate.
• Operates or utilizes emergency vehicles and emergency/medical equipment, tools and supplies, which may include ambulance, defibrillator, cardiac monitor, glucometer, pulse-oximeter, medical/first aid supplies, or radio communications equipment.
• Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
• Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting/testing equipment, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning station/quarters; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, run reports, patient care reports, billing statements, maintenance records, apparatus inspection forms, training records, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, checklists, inspection forms, maintenance records, maps, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, orders, publications, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current map books, manuals, policies/procedures, and other materials for reference and/or review.
• Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.
• Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; provides information and education to the public regarding emergency medical; conducts blood pressure checks for the public; participates in parades and civic events.
• Communicates with supervisors, employees, dispatchers, other departments, fire officials, law enforcement officials, medical providers, patients, family members, witnesses, property owners/occupants, utility companies, civic organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment, methods, procedures, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
• Performs essential job functions, medical assessments, and treatments per established protocols or as authorized/directed by online medical physicians and/or Suffolk Fire & Rescue OMD.
• Performs general/maintenance work associated with maintaining fire station, grounds, quarters, and related facilities. Maintains required certifications and keeps current record on file with the Training Division.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of pre-hospital emergency medical care at the Paramedic level or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is preferred.
• Requires a valid driver’s license.

Applicants must also have the following:

• Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as a Paramedic
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released - preferred*
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – preferred*
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP) – preferred*
• Hazardous Materials Awareness Course – preferred*
• Emergency Vehicle Operation Certificate (EVOC) – preferred*

(*) Preferred minimum requirements must be obtained within 90 days of employment.

• Knowledge of the hazards involved in emergency response operations and the applicable safety precautions.
• Knowledge of advanced emergency medical procedures and extrication techniques.
• Knowledge of street layout, subdivisions, buildings and the location of fire hydrants in the City.
• Knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, charts, forms, permits, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including emergency response codes, and fire, medical and legal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra and geometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Ability to operate and care for assigned emergency response apparatus and equipment.
• Ability to exercise initiative in meeting and resolving emergency situations.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and correctly and adopt effective courses of action with regard to surroundings and circumstances.
• Ability to maintain routine activity reports.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions when required.