EMT Paramedic

Full Time Days: Monday - Friday, 2:30pm - 11pm

About the role

At Houston Methodist, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic position is responsible for assisting in the delivery of patient care and services to a diverse patient population and their families. This role performs patient care activities of daily living (ADLs) within unit-specific defined limits and job scope, conducts hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met, and records data established by policy and procedure. The EMT/Paramedic demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks, reporting observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse and/or provider.

Responsibilities

People

• Functions as a team member, responding willingly and positively to colleagues' needs for assistance and partnership.
• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team.
• Problem-solves, assists other techs, and manages several ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Serves as a role model, using critical thinking in mentoring new EMTs and ancillary personnel on unit procedures and readiness.
• Interacts with peers, staff, and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner.
• Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information.
• Contributes to improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

Service

• Role models patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse.
• Documents comprehensive screenings, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments, and procedures (e.g., vital signs, 12 Lead EKG, phlebotomy, CPR, splinting, specimen collection).
• Performs hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met (four P’s) and reports observations or condition changes to the licensed nurse.
• Responds to the call light system and follows through with meeting patient needs.
• Contributes to improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability.

Quality/Safety

• Uses rapid assessment skills to identify patients’ severity of illnesses, deterioration of conditions, and risks for adverse events.
• Applies critical thinking skills to recognize abnormal ECGs, vital signs, and mental status to monitor high-risk patients.
• Manages incoming patient information by receiving pre-arrival notifications from EMS providers per unit protocols.
• Reports “near misses” and inputs errors into the PSN system to improve processes and identify trends.
• Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.
• Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities impacting quality and safety targets.

Finance

• Uses resources efficiently and assists with patient and staffing needs across the service line or hospital as competencies allow.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.
• Maintains an orderly environment that facilitates access to supplies, equipment, and resource information.
• Assists in the inventory, monitoring, and ordering of supplies and medical equipment to maintain par levels.

Growth/Innovation

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
• Identifies own learning needs and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs.
• Fosters a positive and constructive patient care environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.
• Completes and updates the My Development plan on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education).
• Completion of EMT-A, EMT-Paramedic program, or licensed Paramedic, and/or currently participating in an EMT to Paramedic program with classification of an EMT-Advanced.
• Six months of pre-hospital experience or six months of hospital experience as an EMT or Paramedic.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following certifications:
  • LP - Licensed Paramedic - State Licensure
  • EMT-A - Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced - State Certification
  • EMT-P - Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic - State Certification
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association (within 3 months)
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association (within 3 months)
• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute (within 3 months)

Skills

• Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential job functions.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers in a customer service-focused manner.
• Displays strong time management skills and adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Possesses competent computer knowledge, including electronic health records (e.g., Epic) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Performs basic EKG interpretation.
• Applies basic knowledge of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Schedule

Full Time: Monday - Friday, 2:30pm - 11pm

Supplemental Requirements

• Scrubs: Yes
• On-Call: No (Note: employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies such as disasters or severe weather events).
• Travel: No (May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area, but not outside).