EMT

Purpose:

To provide BLS (Basic Life Support) patient care, ambulance transportation, and other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance operations in conjunction with a partner, demonstrating excellent judgment and due regard for personal, as well as, public safety and inter-agency cooperation and effectiveness.
• Provides BLS patient care by ensuring BLS operating and clinical practices, and adheres to established guidelines, treatment protocols, policies and procedures.
• Administers first aid treatment to and transports sick or injured persons to medical facilities working as a member of an emergency medical team.
• Follows instructions of Paramedic, Health Professional and/or in-charge public agency officials.
• Responds to instructions from an emergency medical dispatcher and drives specially equipped emergency vehicles to specified locations in the most appropriate, safe and efficient manner.

• Monitors communication equipment to maintain contact with the dispatcher.

• Removes and assists in the removal of victims from an accident scene or catastrophe and transfer of victims to the treatment center.
• Determines the nature and extent of illness or injury, or magnitude of catastrophe, to establish first aid procedures to be followed or determine the need for assistance, basing decisions on statements of the persons involved, examinations of victim or victims and knowledge of emergency medical practices.
• Administers prescribed first aid treatment at the site of the emergency or in specifically equipped vehicles, performing activities such as; application of splints, administration of oxygen, assistance in the preparation of administration of intravenous injections, treatment of minor wounds or abrasions or administration of artificial resuscitation.
• Communicates with professional medical personnel and emergency treatment facilities to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and to arrange reception of victims at the treatment site.
• Assists treatment center admitting personnel in obtaining and reporting information related to the victim’s vital statistics and circumstances of the emergency.
• Appropriately completes medical treatment, transport and billing documentation and submits each document in a timely manner.

• Maintains vehicle and medical equipment and replenishes first aid supplies and equipment.
• Assists in controlling crowds, protecting valuables or performing any other duties at the scene of the catastrophe.
• Assists professional medical personnel in the emergency treating facility.
• Responds to emergency situations and may go from a rested position to a high stress situation within a few minutes.

• Ensures safe behavior and operating practices and adheres to established guidelines, treatment protocols, policies and procedures.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of current EMT standards of care, including equipment functions and uses.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of local geography, including mapping, street, and grid book systems.
• Maintains units and equipment in a clean, organized and ready condition after each response.
• Ensures proper fuel, liquids, and tire pressure levels at all times and reports equipment damage or malfunctions to the appropriate person or supervisor.
• Completes all station duties and maintains crews quarters and facilities in accordance with established corps procedures.

• EMS is a team effort and EMT’s shall provide necessary assistance to ensure system sanitation, readiness and adherence to quality assurance standards.
• EMT will QA/QI evaluative functions for strictly BLS tripsheets including the following tasks:
  1. Matching Case numbers to corresponding tripsheets
  2. Auditing tripsheet for appropriate treatment and documentation
  3. Responsible to respond to QA/QI on the next duty shift or within 7 days

• Emergency Services operates on a 24-hour clock. The EMT’s assigned work shift schedule may vary; however, he/she shall be available to respond immediately for call during assigned work period. The individual usually eats at the job site for this period.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of computer systems.
• Professional communications techniques.
• Methods and techniques of providing on-site emergency medical services.
• Use of medical and related emergency medical equipment.
• Applicable BLS and ALS service levels, clinical practices, procedures and protocols, and quality assurance guidelines.
• Local area EMS infrastructure and geography.

Technical Skills

• Strong organizational skills.
• Communicating effectively at all levels, both orally and in writing.
• Promoting mutual respect and effective working relationships with public agency personnel and other healthcare providers.
• Planning, coordinating, and scheduling work assignments and time off.
• Evaluating and treating patients.
• Preparing clear and concise reports documents and records.

Behavioral and Physical Skills

• Act calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Create and maintain a positive and cooperative working environment in stressful situations.
• Work during odd hours and for extended periods, sometimes outdoors and in adverse weather conditions.
• Work smoothly and professionally in an environment where teamwork is essential.
• Work independently with a minimum of supervision for assigned tasks.
• Work with standing, bending, and kneeling; physical dexterity.
• Work with partner in lifting patients whose weight may exceed 200 pounds.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Anticipate and identify problems and take initiative to prevent or correct them.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel within the medical community, the Corps, outside agencies and customers.
• Avoid or minimize health risks from exposure to infectious patients.

Certification(s) and/or License(s)

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver license. (All drivers and career associates)
• EMT’s must possess and maintain a valid State of Pennsylvania EMT Certification.
• Must possess an EVOC certification (NCS or VFIS) or complete this course within sixty (60) days from starting date. (All drivers and career associates)
• Must maintain current CPR (ARC of AHA are acceptable)
• Must maintain AED (CAC Medical Director requirement)
• Must have completed an annual Blood Borne Pathogen/TB/Hz-Com Awareness Program

Education and/or Experience

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Completion of course work and certification as an EMT.
• A minimum of one (1) year field experience as an EMT.
• Must maintain a total of 24 Continuing Education Units within a 3-year period.