Paramedic (Single Certification)

Reports directly to the assigned supervisor, is responsible for responding to and participating in mitigation activities pertaining to emergency medical operations suppression and rescue services.  

Works under general direction and guidance, planning details of procedures and methods to attain definite objectives.  Requires use of initiative and resourcefulness in making decisions within established or widely accepted standards.

Employee decisions regarding what needs to be done involve the use of vocational or technical knowledge and skills necessary to apply and adapt standard practices to a variety of situations.  Standard guidelines are available; however, they do not cover all situations, requiring some interpretation of standards of acceptable work.  The employee may choose methods from a wide variety of alternatives.  Employee’s work routine may change from day to day or even hour to hour; within reasonable and expected bounds.

Responsible for high degree of accuracy, control and presentation of details.  Decisions made at this level can directly have a positive impact on the productivity of the entire department.  Errors have a significant effect on operating results or may negatively affect the reputation of the organization.  Consequences of actions would only be correctable through action of members of division or departmental management. 

The following describe the principal functions of this position and scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload. 

• Responds to emergency calls relayed by communicators; reads maps; drives rescues to emergency site; uses most expeditious route and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
• Evaluates scene on arrival; determines nature and extent of illness or injury; takes pulse, blood pressure, and visually observes changes in skin color; makes determination regarding patient status by interpreting diagnostic signs.
• Establishes priority for emergency care; initiates basic life support procedures at the scene as necessary.
• Provides re-hydration/rehabilitation and medical treatment to victims, firefighters and/or other personnel at the scene as necessary.
• Renders appropriate emergency care, based on competency level, to stabilize the patient such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, providing oxygen, triage, and administration of intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by a physician; assesses the effects of treatment.
• Uses medical equipment, based on competency level, such as but not limited to cardiac monitor, defibrillator, performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patients; uses other adjunct airways as needed under the direction of a physician.
• Follows infection disease protocol and practices proper disposal of biohazard waste.
• Reassures patients and bystanders; avoids mishandling patient and undue haste; searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care.
• Radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services; requests/provides flight rescue service if required; provides additional emergency care while following established protocols.
• Complies with regulations in handling deceased; notifies authorities; arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene.
• Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported; reports nature or illness to that facility; requests instructions/directions from hospital physician or emergency department.
• Observes patient enroute and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department or according to published protocol; identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility.
• Reports verbally and in writing observation about and care of patient at the scene and enroute to facility; provides assistance to emergency staff as required; documents all activity in assigned position.
• Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to rescue unit and on to a medical facility.
• Prepares for, attends, and testifies in courtroom hearings and judicial proceedings as required.
• Prepares, decontaminates, inspects, inventories, repairs, and/or maintains medical equipment and supplies, first aid materials, and vehicles for safe operation; tests all equipment on a regular basis and checks for future readiness.
• Communicates effectively and coherently over two-way radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information/assistance from the public, patients, fire, law enforcement, other medical personnel, various agencies, employees, officials, supervisors, or other individuals.
• Inventories and restocks rescue units and station supplies and equipment; orders and maintains sufficient amounts to ensure adequate availability to perform daily tasks.
• Maintains current field manuals, policy and procedures, employee handbooks, various maps, addresses, and related material for reference and/or review; read medical journals and other professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.
• Attends shift meetings and in-service training as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing emergency medicine techniques, state/local policies, procedures, codes, and laws.
• Prepares and/or receives a variety of forms, logs, requests, reports, correspondence, and other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; reviews, completes, processes, approves, forwards, maintains, and/or takes other action as appropriate; prepares and maintains files and records.
• Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within county jurisdiction.
• Operates a personal computer, printer, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, radio, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
• Required to protect the privacy of all patient information in accordance with the agency’s privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law, an in accordance with general principles of professionalism as a health care provider. Failure to comply with the agency’s policies and procedures on patient privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
• May access protected health information and other patient information only to the extent that is necessary to complete your job duties. The Paramedic may only share such information with those who have a need-to-know specific patient information you have in your possession to complete their job responsibilities related to treatment, payment or other agency operations.
• Required and expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding the agency’s policies and procedures on patient privacy and any observed practices in violation of that policy to the designated Officer.
• Assists with community events such as offering free blood pressure readings, educating children and the public on the 911 emergency system, medical emergency procedures, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Performs miscellaneous duties and administrative tasks such as station cleaning and general housekeeping, scheduling maintenance, answering the telephone, aking and relaying messages, and basic grounds maintenance.
• Operates an assigned motor vehicle; maintains cleanliness of and fuels vehicle; checks tire inflation and fluid levels; requests or schedules services and/or repairs as needed.
• Educate the community on emergency medical procedures.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.
• In the event of a declared state of emergency, employees may be called to work during days or hours other than those for which they are regularly scheduled. 

• Must possess Florida State Certification as a Paramedic upon date of employment.
• Must obtain Firefighter certification within 12 months of date of hire.
• Must possess a Valid Florida State Driver’s License.
• Must possess a Valid High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) card.
• Must possess current BLS provider card.
• Must possess current Emergency Vehicle Operator Certification (EVOC), or equivalent.
• Preferred- current Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or (ITLS) card.
• Preferred- certificates in NIMS I-700, I-800, I-100, I-200.

 Flagler County is a drug free workplace, some positions may require a pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Has knowledge of modern principles, methods and equipment for an efficient, effective Emergency Medical Services.
• Has thorough knowledge of all ALS protocols
• Has knowledge of report and record maintenance principles and practices.
• Is skilled in the care and safe operation of a variety of emergency medical service equipment.
• Is skilled in the operation of motorized vehicles under adverse conditions.
• Is able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Is able to analyze situations quickly and objectively.
• Is able to determine proper courses of action within the established framework of policies and procedures.
• Is able to maintain composure under emergency situations.
• Is able to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Is able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Is able to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public.
• Has knowledge of modern office equipment such as but not limited to; copy machine, scanner, calculator, fax machine, cell phone and portable radio.
• Has knowledge of computer software such as but not limited to; Microsoft office, acrobat, excel, ext.

Special Requirements

• Must possess or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Florida State Driver’s License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Ability to meet department physical standards.

 Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand or sit, walk, talk and hear, taste or smell, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.  
• Work is performed primarily in office, vehicle and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day or night.  Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations.  Individuals in this environment are exposed to hearing alarms and the hazards associated with rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, dry chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils, fall hazards, building collapses, traffic hazards, blood borne pathogens and infectious disease.
• An individual in this position occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.

Salary : $37,705