As an Paramedic, you will provide advanced medical care. In this position, you will assess and treat patients in pre-hospital settings, utilizing advanced life support techniques and medications. This role demands excellent physical fitness, strong teamwork skills, and the ability to perform under high-pressure situations, all while delivering compassionate care to those in need.

Essential Duties

• Respond promptly and safely to emergency calls as directed by the dispatcher, providing efficient and effective care to patients at the scene and during transport to healthcare facilities.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessments to determine the nature and severity of illness or injury and establish priorities for emergency care.
• Provide ALS procedures, including but not limited to advanced airway management, cardiac monitoring, intravenous (IV) therapy, medication administration, and trauma care.
• Administer appropriate medical treatments in accordance with protocols, standing orders, and medical direction.
• Work closely with other emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, fire departments, and hospital staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Effectively communicate with dispatch, other healthcare professionals, and receiving facilities to coordinate patient care and provide accurate information.
• Complete detailed and accurate patient care reports, including assessments, treatments provided, and patient responses, ensuring compliance with all documentation standards and regulations.
• Inspect and maintain medical equipment and the ambulance to ensure they are in proper working condition, clean, and fully stocked.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs, training, and skill development to maintain a high standard of care.
• Interact professionally and compassionately with patients, their families, and the general public, demonstrating a commitment to customer service and patient advocacy.
• Promotes a positive attitude towards their job and promotes positive teamwork with peers.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Required experience

• Ability to lift and carry up to 100 pounds
• Must be able to perform job duties in all weather conditions and at any time of day or night.

Preferred Experience

• Strong communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Proficiency in advanced medical equipment and technology used in emergency medical care.

Required Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid EMT-P certification by the Illinois Department of Health or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
• Valid Illinois driver’s license
• 18 years of age to meet insurability in Riverside’s vehicle insurance program
• Valid BLS certification

Preferred Licensure/Education

• Associate’s degree
• Certificate in Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Certificate in Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Certificate in Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Auto soaps and waxes, Armor all (tires), window cleaners (ammonia), bleach, floor cleaners, strippers and wax, alcohol.
• Video Display Terminals: None
• Blood and Body Fluids: EMT positions are exposed through patient care of traumatically injured patients, initiating IV therapy, endotracheal intubation, transfer of incontinent patients, and removal of deceased patients.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Possible exposure to undiagnosed patients during field care and transportation.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with patient and over communication devices.
• Vision: Correctable to 20/20 for driving and patient assessment, reading monitors, and checking blood pressure.
• Smell: Assess odors on patient's airway, vapors or fumes at scene.
• Hearing: Ability to hear lung and heart sounds, radio communications, and the patient's voice.
• Touch: Good sensation to assess pulse qualities, skin temperatures, and moisture. Manipulate patient care, equipment.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 25%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 15%
• Crawl: 1%
• Walk: 15%
• Kneel: 2%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 18%
• Squat: 6%
• Climb: 3%
• Bend: 8%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 50 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 75 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 100 lbs: Frequently
• Over 100 lbs: Occasionally

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Cot and sup-plies to patient-arms length to 20 minutes. Patients, cots and supplies to ambulance-arms length to 20 minutes often over 200 lbs. Lift cot and patient into ambulance from ground level to waist height, lasting 30 seconds. Move patient from bed to cot to bed from knee to waist level and back. Carry patients up and down stairs-knee level to over head. Carry patient's belongings to ambulance and into house-arms length for several minutes.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 240
• Twist: 20
• Stand: 180
• Crawl: 5
• Walk: 60
• Kneel: 5
• Lift: 20
• Drive: 240
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 10
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 20

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs. Normal weight: 5-10# frequent
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: 150-300# frequent
• Fine Manipulation: Attaching monitor leads, oxygen controls, writing/form completion, opening/closing door latches, IV initiation, drawing and administering medication and intubation.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Required for driving vehicle. Approximately 15 lbs. for accelerator and up to 65 pounds for brakes.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 15
• Outside hours : 9
• Temperature: Extreme cold, Extreme hot
• Lighting: Very Dark, Very Bright
• Noise levels: Very loud, Very soft
• Humidity: Humid, Dry
• Atmosphere: Fumes
• Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical, Radiation, Chemical - Mech-Traffic, steps, extrication/packaging equip. Elec.-Monitors, Defibrillators. Chem-spills from accidents, germicidal agents, cleaning supplies. Radiation-accident scenes, transport pts. to radiology appointments.
• Protective Clothing Required: Latex gloves, disposable gowns, face shields, eye protection.