EMT Basic

Job Description

Job Summary

Responds to emergency and convalescent ambulance runs from all Dubois County Stations, assists in the Emergency Department, assists in other nursing and ancillary departments as needed, and works in conjunction with various emergency response agencies in the area. Finds crews for call-ins or other needs. Maintains EMT-Basic certification requirements as specified by Indiana EMS Commission. Keeps complete and accurate records. Demonstrates knowledge of developmental needs of patient population specific to that department. (Patient population is defined in the department's Scope of Practice.)

Qualifications

Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required. Basic EMT certification. Emergency Vehicle Driving Course, HazMat Operations Level, and CPI (Critis Prevention Intervention) within one year of employment. Must maintain the State of Indiana EVOC Certification. Current CPR certification. Successful completion of NIMS (National Incident Management System) course. PHTLS required within one year of employment. In accordance with the Dubois County contract, all staff shall satisfy all the requirements necessary to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license, however they need not actually obtain a CDL. Any full-time Basic EMT must achieve Paramedic licensure within three years of obtaining full-time status.

Training:
Individualized preceptorship for 60 days. May be more or less at the discretion of Director. Successful completion of orientation checklist.

Experience:
None necessary, but helpful.

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess skills and abilities necessary to operate an emergency vehicle safely in critical situations, make decisions affecting life and death without direct supervision, maintain a calm, professional image in very chaotic circumstances, control emotions, access a scene and recognize dangerous situations and respond accordingly, take control of a scene, triage patients, read a map and become familiar with area, follow directions, and choose best route to access a scene. Computer skills for electronic run entry, timekeeping, e-mail messaging, etc.

Performance Requirements

Responsibility For:
BLS treatment as defined including defibrillation, non-visual airway, and IV maintenance, as defined by the State of Indiana Certification for EMT-B. Operating proper extrication equipment and techniques. Operating emergency vehicle safely. Maintaining the ambulance, equipment, and supplies. Triaging patients. Taking oxygen saturation levels of patients. Communicating on the radio system. Answering telephone. Disposing of contaminated wastes. Arranging for transportation of helicopter services. Arranging for other ambulance service transports. Responding to all fire alarms. Maintaining cleanliness of ambulances, equipment, and work area. Responding to local fire calls as addressed in policy. Standing by at various community functions. Performing Emergency Department duties as defined in policy. Making decisions that prevent serious impairment of patient's health, delay in services, or considerable waste/damage. Exercising independent judgment in planning and developing operational procedures or gathering and analyzing diversified technical data. Making contacts with the patients, other organizations, or the public requiring special training and skills. Assuring the safety of self, co-workers, bystanders, and patients. Entering data for electronic run reports.

Physical Demands:
Sustained physical effort is required throughout any part or all of the shift. Continuous operation of ambulances and/or equipment resulting in considerable fatigue. Work with light to heavy weight equipment and working in difficult or unusual body positions for extended periods of time. Intermittent lifting of patients. Continuous standing or sitting necessary at times. Constant care to the safety of self and others a must. Manual dexterity for handling equipment and patients. Must be able to tolerate extremes in weather temperature. Must also be able to run or respond quickly in severe cases. Must be physically fit enough to perform the minimal entry-level job requirements. This includes technical standards consistent with the duties of the entry-level EMT in a professional role position. The candidate must have:

A. Sufficient eyesight to observe patients, scenes, and manipulate equipment to provide quality patient care.
B. Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and communicate verbally with other health care providers.
C. Sufficient verbal and written skills to communicate needs promptly and effectively.
D. Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly, manipulate equipment, and lift a minimum of 100 pounds and ensure patient safety.
E. Must have ability to exercise technical performance of an EMT and all skill requirements.

Special Demands:
Reflects the mission, philosophy, core values, and customer service plan of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in action and attitude. Possesses an understanding of medical terminology, good communication skills, tact, diplomacy, compassion, and understanding of patient's fears and concerns. Willingness to work with realization that errors and incompetence may have serious consequences for patients, families, physicians, and other personnel. Initiative and judgment in adapting or devising techniques and procedures to meet the needs of the department. Will be required to work rotating and various shifts at all Stations, including 24 hour shifts. May be required to stay over until relieved of duties. Willingness to adapt to department schedule needs, including weekends and holidays. Willingness to come in on a very short notice if requested. Must be able to accept death and dying and learn to cope with severe stress involved with the job.

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