Help Wanted: City of New Bedford hiring EMS-2

TITLE: PARAMEDIC
LEVEL: EMS-2 $19.89hr – $26.06hr
DEPARTMENT: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

FUNCTION: Provide advanced emergency care to the sick and injured.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of the Director or his/her designee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Per State Protocol.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Comply with all policies, practices and procedures of the EMS Department and City of New Bedford. Subject to the approval of the EMS Director, administer skilled medical care to individuals in response to call for emergency treatment. Examine, assess and stabilize patients at emergency scene, i.e., hemorrhage control, treatment for shock, immobilization of fractures, bandaging, proper treatment for burns, poisoning or drug overdose, deliver newborns, manage mentally disturbed patients, etc.

Obtain medical history, check vital signs; advise/inform Medical Control at the hospital of diagnostic indications. Perform definitive life support; administer treatment and utilize advanced life support equipment and procedures as directed by authorized physician and State treatment protocols, i.e., endotracheal intubations, defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, nasogastric intubations, closed chest decompression, intravenous administration of drugs and fluids, external trans thoracic cardiac pacing, and interpret 12 lead EKG’s, etc.

Respond to a wide range of emergency situations as required. Control scene of medical emergency; conduct triage, treatment and transportation at mass casualty incidents. Document pre-hospital care received by patients to facilitate admission to health care facility. Prepare patients for transport; monitor patients in ambulance to maintain patient stability, administer additional treatment when necessary. Operate ambulances and other emergency vehicles as needed to and from scene of emergency.

Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic by the Mass. DPH, and current certification as a CPR healthcare provider by the American Heart Association (M.G.L., Ch 111C, Section 3 and 6). Current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support by AHA.

Knowledge of pharmacology, and drugs used in advanced life support and possible reactions; Federal and State drug laws; pathophysiology; advanced human anatomy and physiology; medical telemetry; Advanced Life Support equipment; MGL, Ch 89, 90, and 111C; Mass. DPH re-certification requirements; regional communication protocols. Knowledge of major transportation routes in the locality, defensive and emergency driving procedures, emergency medical service vehicle limitations, local emergency medical service Point-of- Entry procedures.

One year of Paramedic experience preferred but not required.

Ability to operate under Medical Control and follow instructions from an authorized Physician. Ability to conduct triage; evaluate the mechanism of injury; obtain, read and interpret an electrocardiogram; monitor a patient’s status. Ability to perform Basic Life Support, extricate patients in a safe and accepted manner, and safely lift and carry a normal adult with all required equipment and the aid of another Emergency Medical Technician. Ability to recognize and react to hazards at an emergency scene, operate emergency medical service vehicles in a safe and accepted manner. Ability to inspect ambulances, other emergency medical service vehicles and vehicle medical equipment. Must operate assigned emergency medical service radio/communication system. Ability to work effectively with other public safety personnel, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

This position requires direct client/patient contact and as a result of such direct contact, certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.

Must maintain competency and proficiency in all stated tasks.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This position is subject to re-certification by the State Office of Emergency Medical Service. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record. Must have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, mandatory per MGL Chapter 6 Sec. 172C.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Ambulance, oxygen equipment, first-aid supplies, defibrillators, IV equipment, airway equipment, stretchers, equipment to gain access and all other equipment required for treating a patient as per State Protocols, etc:

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS: Duties require frequent and extended periods of outside work, subject to all weather conditions and extremes; continuous walking, standing, climbing and frequent periods requiring sustained uncomfortable physical positions; regular and sustained periods of strenuous physical exertion, requiring the ability to lift, carry and position heavy objects utilizing proper body mechanics and techniques.

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Operation of equipment which causes loud noise levels and high vibrations; may require the exercise of caution when operating equipment or handling chemicals or other toxic materials. Utilization of proper sanitary precautions when handling trash, garbage and other potential hazards.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: Formal application; rating of education and experience; oral interview; and reference check; and job-related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.