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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following guidelines are used in describing the frequency of activities in this position:

"Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" equals 34% to 66%, and "Continuously" equals 67% to 100% of a typical workday.

Standing/Walking:

As stated, the individual may spend 24 hours at the job site. While at rest in this facility, standing/walking will be optional. On arrival to an emergency situation, walking could be occasionally to frequently. The individual is walking to and from the ambulance, assisting in the removal of victims from emergency situations, and administering first aid. Most walking would be for short distances as emergency vehicles are allowed to get as close to the accident as possible. Standing and walking could be on all types of surfaces, including but not limited to; asphalt, cement, concrete, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, hardwood floors, etc. The individual must be able to go up and down slight inclines or declines that may be found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. At an emergency site, standing would occur more often than walking. Standing would occur on the wide variety of surfaces mentioned above. Standing could last from a few minutes to hours, depending on the situation. Standing could occur in the standard erect position, the kneeling or squatting position, etc.

Sitting:

When responding to an emergency situation, the individual will sit in the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicles are equipped with a standard installed vehicle seat. The time performing the sitting activity on an emergency call would depend on the specific situation. The station is equipped with a small living area that is furnished with standard furniture, i.e., cushion chairs, couches, dining tables and the like. The amount of time spent in this activity would be at the discretion of the employee.

Lifting/carrying:

Frequently, the individual will be required to lift weights ranging from a few pounds to 10 pounds and above. Heavier weights scaled at above 100 pounds would generally involve the victim or victims. The worker would not routinely perform this type of lifting without assistance. Other heavier objects in the high range category would be 5-foot tall, 10-inch diameter oxygen cylinders. These items can be made of quarter inch steel and weigh up to 113 pounds. The EMT may often lift and move a gurney. Actual strong-arm lifting of this type of equipment is required. There are two types of gurneys, a one-man gurney which has collapsible wheels where a person rolls the gurney to the back of the ambulance and the wheels collapse allowing the person to suspend the weight of the gurney and patient while pushing it into the ambulance. A two-man gurney requires two persons to wheel the gurney to the ambulance, at which time they lift the gurney and patient from the ground up to the ambulance. The gurney is then raised and pushed forward into the vehicle. As mentioned, patients can weigh as little as 5 pounds to as much as 300 pounds and over. The individual will also have to lift items that weigh in the 25 to 35 pound category. These may involve drug boxes, first aid kits, resuscitation equipment, backboards, etc. Objects in the 15 to 25 pound category may be various monitors, extracation devices, traction devices, etc. Weight in the classification of under 15 pounds may involve various tools; scissors, tracheal tubes, ET scopes, suction units, MASTs, etc. The lifting of weights could range from 12 to 15 times per day, to as little as one or two times, depending on the rate of accidents occurring during the shift. The EMT's and paramedics respond as a team and weight lifting is usually shared equally. The equipment can be carried to the accident site or put on a gurney and rolled to that area if it is a long distance. The average distance that equipment or objects would be carried would be approximately 100 feet.

Bending/Stooping:

Frequently throughout a work shift, the individual will be required to bend in a range of one degree to 90 degrees. The average situation will require the individual to work in a range of 35 degree to 65-degree bends. This would involve lifting a patient, picking up equipment, treating the patient at ground level, and sitting at a bench located in the ambulance. The bending/stooping activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more. On the average, it was felt 15 minutes would be more appropriate. During a response to a situation, the individual may bend/stoop 1 to 15 times per incident.

Crouching/Kneeling:

Frequently, the EMT is required to perform this activity. Crouching and kneeling may be performed when on the scene picking up equipment or assisting victims. Again, the actual amount of times the individual would assume one of these positions would depend on the particular incident. It could be estimated that the worker may assume the activity 1 to 15 times per day for an average of 15 to 30 minutes in duration.

Climbing:

Occasionally, the worker will be required to climb. Climbing is required when entering and exiting the emergency vehicle. The floor of the operator's cab is approximately 2 feet off the ground level. If the individual is exiting the rear of the emergency van, he/she will be required to step down approximately 15 inches to a metal step. From there, he/she will step down to ground level, approximately 15 inches from the step. If responding to a situation in a building, the individual may have to climb stairs in double or triple story buildings. On occasion, the individual may be required to climb a ladder. Generally climbing would require that the individual be lifting and carrying items. Balancing may be required when backing down staircases as the EMT guides the gurney.

Reaching:

Reaching is performed frequently to continuously throughout the work shift in order to review monitors, operate communication equipment, and administer oxygen. If working inside the ambulance enroute to a medical facility, the individual may be seated on a bench next to the patient. Located inside the treatment area of the van are shelves that can be accessed by reaching above head for towels, equipment and the like. Reaching will involve partial to full extension of the arms.

Pushing/Pulling:

Occasionally throughout a work shift, The individual will be required to push and pull. The activity that would require the most force in pushing and pulling is when removing or returning the gurney to the emergency vehicle. The gurney is set on the floor of the emergency vehicle and locked into place by a lever. In order to remove the unit, the individual will grasp with the left hand while squeezing to unlock this device. The other arm may be used to pull the gurney backward and out of the pen. Pushing/pulling will be required when maneuvering the gurney to the accident site and to the emergency van. Obviously, moderate pushing will be required when going to the victim and depending on the weight of that individual. Pushing and pulling the gurney to the emergency vehicle will depend on the individual's weight. Slight pushing will be required if the individual is performing CPR to an accident victim. This can require repetitive pushing and may range from a few minutes to one hour, depending on how quickly the victim can be transported. Pushing and pulling is required when opening and closing vehicle doors. Pushing and pulling to strong force may be required as assisting in removal of victims from an automobile or when opening damaged vehicle doors.

Handling Grasping:

While working at an accident site, continual bilateral gross manipulation is performed in this job. This may be involved when opening/closing doors, operating communication equipment, and handling small tools such as scissors. The arm and hand must be able to perform all types of positions including supination and pronation. Hyperextension, extension and flexion of the fingers will be involved, ulnar deviation and radial deviation of the hand and wrist as well as abduction and adduction. A wide variety of grasping may be necessary including cylindrical grasping, palmer grasping, hook grasping, tip grasping, lateral grasping and spherical grasping.

Hazards:

The employee, when responding to emergency situations, can be exposed to dust, fumes and gases as the individual is operating or riding in an emergency vehicle. Driving speeds in the vehicle are legally allowed to be 15 miles per hour above the speed limit. Therefore, the individual is exposed to vehicular accidents at a higher speed than normal.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor's Selected Characteristics of Occupations classifies the physical demands of this position as medium or lifting 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. This classification would seem to be accurate, with the exception that the individual will have to deal with a variety of people whose weight can range from a few pounds to 100+ pounds. As noted, other co-workers will assist the worker when lifting this type of weight. Also involved in the job are occasional climbing and/or balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching and continuous reaching, handling, fingering and/or feeling. The work environment is both inside and out.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct, and control the work of associates under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.