Emergency Department Paramedic is responsible for the assessment and basic management of medical, trauma and environmental emergencies under the supervision of the staff nurse and/or physician. Assists with patient care based on individual patient needs within the scope of practice under the direct supervision of the ED Registered Nurse.

Education and Experience:

• Complete an accredited Paramedic program
• 1-year experience in a hospital setting preferred
• BLS required upon hire and maintain current
• ACLS, PALS within 6 months of hire and maintain current
• Training on CPI within 12 months of hire and maintain current
• Ohio Paramedic license required
• Rhythms interpretation class within 3 months of hire and maintain current.

Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of scope of practice in the Emergency Department
• Assists the RN and ED Physician with patient care
• Knowledge of the National Patient Safety Goals
• Liaison between staff and patients, family and friends and other interdisciplinary team members
• Recognizes signs and symptoms of child/adult abuse and reports appropriately to Adult/Child Protective Services.
• Independently recognizes and performs duties which need to be done without being directly assigned. Establishes priorities; organizes work and time to complete them.
• Recognizes and responds to priorities, accepts changes and new ideas. Has insight into problems and the ability to develop workable alternatives.
• Accepts constructive criticism in a positive manner.
• Adheres to attendance and punctuality requirements per hospital policy. Provides proper notification for absences and tardiness. Takes corrective action to prevent recurring absences or tardiness.
• Uses time effectively and constructively. Does not abuse supplies, equipment, and service.
• Observes all hospital and departmental policies governing conduct while at work (e.g., telephone and computer use, electronic messaging, smoking regulations, parking, breaks and other related policies)
• Understands, respects and displays sensitivity to culture, age and persons with disabilities
• Participates actively and positively affects the outcomes of customer service activities
• Uses effective collaborative strategies as evidenced to include:
• Developing peer relationships that enable the work group to accomplish the daily workload within the allotted time frame and achieve departmental goals
• Recognizing and understanding that as a member of an interdependent group, collaboration and compromise is required in order to maintain the effectiveness of the group as a whole to effectively resolve problems
• Timely notification to Department Manager of potential problems or concerns. When faced with a problem or concern, is proactive by presenting suggested solutions at the time that the Department Manager is made aware of the problem or concern.
• Displaying teamwork ability to promote cooperation and collaboration; gaining support for programs and goals.
• Supports Patient Rights
• Displays honesty and respect for others, and respect for the organization as evidenced by:
• Treating internal and external customers as the most important part of the job
• Being sensitive to customer’s emotions, thoughts and feelings
• Refraining from negative comments of any kind where the public or other customers can hear.
• Taking appropriate actions to resolve the concern
• Facilitates and enhances communication as evidenced by:
• Effective and timely processing of customers' requests according to hospital and departmental policies.
• Utilizing verbal communication methods, which enable others to clearly understand what is being said.
• Utilizing verbal and nonverbal behaviors without being defensive, manipulative, aggressive or controlling.
• Using written communication that is legible, timely and at a level based on the position specific requirements.
• Listening attentively to ensure effective two-way communication
• Expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner
• Answering the telephone with stating department, name and greeting
• Interacts with coworkers, other hospital staff, physicians, and the public in a courteous, professional and efficient manner
• Observes dress code policy and wears hospital identification as required by our policies and procedures
• Understands and abides by all departmental policies and procedures as well as the Codes of Ethics, HIPAA requirements and patient rights
• Complies with federal, state, local laws that govern business practices. Complies with all Department of Health Services requirements for CMS, and JCAH standards that apply to the position.
• Participates actively in ensuring that all state and federal rules and regulations are followed as they apply to this position
• Conducts business in an ethical and trustworthy manner at all times when dealing with patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees
• Attends scheduled in-services. Communicates ideas to supervisor for a safer layout of equipment, tools, and/or processes.
• Follows standard precautions and transmission-based precautions as shown by consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Adheres to procedures for the disposal of waste as well as the proper disposal of sharps.
• Uses proper body mechanics at all times. Seeks assistance when necessary to move heavy objects or to transport/transfer a heavy patient.
• Is knowledgeable in the hospital safety program and takes necessary steps to maintain a safe environment. Adheres to safe work practices in order to prevent injuries and illnesses.
• Is familiar with emergency codes and emergency preparedness procedures and understands his/her role in response to each of the emergency codes (Code Blue, Code Pink, Code Green, Code Adam, Code Yellow, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Red, Code Violet, etc.)
• Maintains the department in a neat, clean, and orderly manner, especially in own work area.
• Eliminates or assists in eliminating any seen or known hazards in the workplace. Reports any unsafe conditions to his or her immediate supervisor.
• Demonstrates good safety habits and judgment by maintaining a safe environment at all times.
• Understands and participates in the continuous quality improvement process and applies it in performing everyday tasks/duties by assisting in finding new and better ways of performing duties and responsibilities.
• Understands performance improvement concepts and demonstrates understanding including defining performance improvement, and verbalizing at least one major goal of the performance improvement program within the hospital setting, ability to describe a quality improvement problem solving process (e.g., PDCA) and how its use assists in reaching improving patient outcomes and/or organizational quality improvement goals and verbalize at least one departmental or hospital wide improvement initiative that has occurred within the last 12 months.
• Continually strives for self-improvement in areas of responsibility by attending continuing education classes

• Assists patients to undress and change into patient gown. Assists patients with ambulation and other care needs
• Obtains vital signs, weights on all pediatric patients, pulse oximetry, cardiac monitor, wound care, venipuncture, foley catheter, EKG's, splints, dressing changes, and documents information on the patient record.
• Perform IV medication administration
• Administration/Maintenance of IV fluid with drug additives via IV pump
• Administer/maintain oxygen delivery via nasal cannula, nonrebreather, partial rebreather or venturi mask.
• Notifies RN and/or Physician of patient’s condition
• Assists RN in placement of patients in appropriate bed
• Helps to update family on progress of patient i.e. delays. Arranges patient’s family members to visit at appropriate times.
• Performs CPR during codes
• Helps manage assaultive behavior patients and forensic patients
• Perform Oropharyngeal/Nasopharyngeal airway adjunct and oral suctioning
• Assist with the training of new employees
• Transportation of patients admitted to hospital and/or assists RN with transports
• Orders and stock special supplies as needed
• Follows EMTALA Regulations
• Ensures that all treatment rooms are stocked with supplies and ready for use
• Transport telemetry patients to Medical/Surgical Floor.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent Sitting and/or standing
• Occasionally reaching, bending, pulling and pushing
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
• Occasionally be exposed to hazardous chemicals or infections and Ionizing radiation
• Occasionally required to wear Personal Protective Equipment