Emergency Department Paramedic (Per Diem)

About the Role

The Emergency Department (ED) Paramedic will function as a member of the clinical team in the Emergency Department, providing quality care to patients. The Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) paramedic may accompany an EMS service on transfers to other facilities based on acuity. The AVH paramedic will follow protocols set forth by the state of New Hampshire and the WMC standards of care. The Paramedic is accountable to the Emergency Department Manager and Emergency Department Director.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a Paramedic Program.
• NRP Certification required (must be obtained within one year of employment).
• MOAB certification required within one year of employment.
• Current licensure as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic.
• Current licensure as an Emergency Medical Care Provider in the State of New Hampshire.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS certifications required prior to employment.
• Critical care course completion required within two years of employment.
• Association-accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS) (for clinical staff) or Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), with renewal on a regular basis (up to a three-month grace period after expiration).

Skills

• Advanced Clinical Proficiency (preferred).
• Effective Communication and Collaboration.
• Risk Management and Problem Solving.
• Technology and Documentation.
• Compassionate Patient Care.
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict management, and time management skills.
• Basic computer systems knowledge.

Work Experience

• Two years' experience as a Paramedic required.
• Hospital experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate current clinical competence and excellence in clinical practice as outlined in the skills competency tool.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for clinical practice while functioning as a Paramedic in the ED.
• Adhere to Standards of Practice in the ED based on physician orders and during transports under NH EMS Protocols.
• Identify and report Risk Management situations; complete Occurrence Reports with all details documented.
• Notify the EMS Coordinator, Emergency Department Manager, and Risk Manager when risk-related situations arise.
• Bring recommendations on new products and cost-reduction strategies to the EMS Coordinator and Department Manager.
• Assess EMS and Emergency Department patients immediately upon arrival; perform triage using the ESI model.
• Interpret rhythm strips accurately and review test results (e.g., EKGs, Lab, X-ray) with the ED physician.
• Coordinate the in-hospital interdisciplinary plan of care with the ED physician and ED RN.
• Implement the plan of care, including medication administration according to State and hospital formulary/policy.
• Monitor for desired, side, and adverse effects; document findings.
• Assist physicians and other providers in treatments and procedures (e.g., suturing, splinting).
• Review and update the treatment plan in collaboration with the pre-hospital/ED team, family, and patient.
• Appropriately triage patients and notify the ED RN and Physician of critical findings; initiate orders per protocol.
• Input Physicians' orders into the Order Management system and carry out waived testing as needed.
• Document all pertinent information on the pre-hospital PCR or patient’s medical record accurately and legibly.
• Transport patients to and from other departments while monitoring and continuing essential services (e.g., oxygen, IV therapy).
• Ensure sensitivity toward patients and caregivers by addressing physical and emotional concerns.
• Accompany patients on paramedic-level transfers to other acute care facilities; complete NH Transfer forms and obtain physician orders prior to transfer.
• Follow infection control practices and precautions as outlined in hospital policies.
• Support patient care initiatives by responding to Code Blue and Rapid Response Team calls in-house; perform IV starts in any department as requested.
• Adhere to Medication Safety policies, including barcode scanning for medications and patient ID bands; obtain a witness for barcode overrides (limit overrides to 3% or less of the time).
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Adhere to facility Values, Service Excellence, and Standards of Excellence.

About North Country Healthcare (NCH)

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities: Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals and delivers integrated patient care through community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

All new hires are required to attend a mandatory three-day orientation at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, NH. This orientation provides essential training, compliance information, and an introduction to organizational culture. Attendance on all three days is required for onboarding completion. If Weeks Medical Center is not your designated home base, you will be eligible for travel reimbursement in accordance with the standard travel policy.