Paramedic

This position typically provides primary medical care to the residents of Berkeley County; ensures the safety and welfare of patients; and deals courteously and professionally with coworkers and the public.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Quickly assesses the nature and extent of a patient's illness and/or injury and administers appropriate emergency care within the licensure and training of a South Carolina State paramedic. Emergency care may include computing amounts of drugs or IV fluids and administering them; applying knowledge of drug dosages, reactions, and interactions; performing endotracheal intubation; operating cardiac monitoring equipment and defibrillators; performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; assisting in child birth; applying Kendrick Extrication Device (KED); operating a pulse oximeter; bandaging wounds; operating and maintaining all other pieces of emergency equipment which the paramedic is licensed to use in the State of South Carolina.
• Determines patient condition in order to decide upon appropriate treatment and/or to assist a physician in making such decisions by conducting a primary assessment that includes checking level of consciousness, airway, breathing, blood pressure, pulse, lung sounds, pupils, skin color and skin temperature; and by conducting a secondary assessment that includes a focused or complete head-to-toe physical inspection and asking the patient or other knowledgeable persons about medications, current medical treatment, and prior conditions or illnesses.
• Uses muscular strength, coordination and endurance needed for lifting, moving and restraining patients. Able to work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold. Able to work long periods of time in a standing position and perform well with little sleep.
• Uses aural keenness needed to evaluate physical characteristics of a patient such as blood pressure, crepitation, and lung sounds.
• Has the ability to function well in stressful situations to deal tactfully with patients, family members and co-workers. Able to cooperate and maintain a good rapport with fire, police and hospital personnel.
• Operates the ambulance communication equipment and communicates information in a professional manner. Relays patient assessment information to the medical control physician in a clear, concise manner and provides frequent updates as needed regarding the patient's condition.
• Follows the pre-approved BCEMS protocols and/or treatment orders of the medical control physician.
• Prepares patients for transportation by "packaging" patients through use of appropriate splints such as back boards, cervical collars, and head immobilization devices; by removing patients from vehicle wreckage; and by restraining, lifting and carrying patients to and from the ambulance or up and down stairs.
• Drives the ambulance to reach and transport patients as quickly as possible while protecting the community from accidents by following local and state driving regulations and BCEMS vehicle operating policies and procedures; by using various maps and directional guides; and by applying a knowledge of County streets, roads and landmarks.
• Records information relating to patient assessment, treatment administered, and any other pertinent information on the electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) and other appropriate documents in a clear, concise and timely manner.Ensures all billing information and signatures are obtained.
• Establishes priorities of care in a multi-casualty situation, and directs others to assist in care as needed utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS) as it pertains to BCEMS operations. Assumes a leadership role in patient care situations when working with an EMT.
• Checks the inventory of the ambulance at the beginning of each shift by visually inspecting and counting numerous items such as medical supplies and equipment. Keeps an ongoing inventory of equipment and supplies used during the shift and reports any equipment that is lost, broken or malfunctioning or which is not replaced during the shift. Ensures that the vehicle and all equipment is kept clean and in good working order at all times.
• Performs an emergency vehicle safety and operational inspection at the beginning, or when assuming control of, an emergency vehicle.
• Continually re-evaluates emergency care knowledge and techniques and participates in BCEMS training classes to maintain skill and knowledge proficiency, while fulfilling National and State relicensure requirements.
• Participates in public relation and public education presentations as requested. Presentations shall be conducted with a spirit of professionalism and enthusiasm. Provides tours of District facilities and vehicles, talking to groups, demonstrating procedures, and answering questions to increase public awareness of emergency medical care and procedures.
• Completes routine housekeeping tasks and other assigned duties including cleaning of the ambulance and the crews' living quarters in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and maintain a constant state of preparedness.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma or equivalent; Associate's Degree in EMS or other healthcare related field preferred.
• National Registry Certification required;
• SC Paramedic Certification required;
• One (1) year experience; preferred.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license for South Carolina, or be able to obtain within 30 days of relocation, with a safe driving record;
• Must have and maintain American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification;
• Must have and maintain AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification;
• Must have the following National Incident Management System certifications (ICS 100, 200, 700); ICS 800 preferred.

• AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) preferred; or will obtain within 6-months of hire;
• National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) preferred; or will obtain within 6-months of hire;
• National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) preferred; or will obtain within 6-months of hire;
• Departmental testing may be administered during interview; 
• A criminal background check will be completed on selected applicant if a current one (less than 3 years old) is not on file.
• This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• This position is considered emergency essential and will be required to report to work during any declared emergency situation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals and ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to operate windows-based applications.

This position requires the employee to sit and use hands to handle, feel, finger, grasp or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; use mental acuity and repetitive motion; crouch, kneel and stoop; and walk, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to one hundred eighty (180) pounds with one assistant. Cardiovascular conditioning should be sufficient for the extended performance of cardiac chest compressions, maneuvering and lifting of the gurney and other transport tools, and transport of medical equipment and patient belongings. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job; the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.  This position may work on a 24/48-hour rotation on an assigned unit or a 12-hour rotation on an assigned unit.  Scheduled hours/days, job location, duties and any other information contained herein are subject to change. May be required to work extra hours and to perform extra or different duties during emergency situations.