Paramedic #1835 - Emergency Medical Services - Public Safety Division

Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) maintains a call system to store contact information and mobilize staff in the event of an emergency. All Hamilton County EMS employees are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and they are accessible should an emergency need arise. During a public emergency, all staff are required to respond should a call to mobilize be made. Work hours for any and all Hamilton County EMS employees are subject to modification to meet the needs of the community during a public emergency.

This posting is for the 24/72 shift schedule. The base hours for this position are: 1,872 regular hours and 312 hours of mandatory scheduled overtime hours due to the 24/72 shift schedule. Mandatory overtime will be paid at time and a half.

Responsibilities

• Stand by in readiness to respond to emergencies during a 24-hour tour of duty; respond to emergency calls; assess situation and need for assistance; determine most effective method of emergency treatment.
• Apply advanced life support or other appropriate treatment to victim(s)/patient(s); administer drugs; undertake appropriate invasive procedures; advise hospital personnel of situation; transport injured or ill to hospital for treatment.
• Maintain records and files; maintain and re-supply vehicle; identify needs for additional/replacement supplies and equipment; undertake continuous training.
• Work with public, medical professionals, and others to educate and advise of the role, capabilities, and responsibilities of a paramedic.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of application.
• Possess the equivalent of a high school diploma.
• Possess a current TN Paramedic License or be Nationally Registered and eligible for Tennessee licensure prior to employment.
• Possess current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and either International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) or equivalent trauma training.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, Class D in Tennessee, or the equivalent from the employee’s state of residence.
• Must pass a physical ability test to determine ability to perform required physical job duties.
• Must pass a written exam determining medical knowledge and decision-making abilities.
• Must pass an oral interview to evaluate poise, presentation, and verbal skills.
• Must be able to obtain certification in Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided by the County and maintain certification.
• Must be able to obtain and retain all certifications and licenses required by the State of Tennessee.

Skills

• Knowledge of applicable State of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Hamilton County policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques, requirements, and activities associated with emergency medical response.
• Knowledge of record keeping, records, and case management.
• Skill in working under stressful situations, receiving and assessing information, then making appropriate decisions for response.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relations with staff, other departments, law enforcement, and the general public.
• Skill in effectively maintaining equipment, facilities, and operations.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.
• Skill in effectively communicating in both oral and written form.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires good physical fitness with the ability to function effectively in heavy and cumbersome protective gear.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy, bulky items, equipment, materials, supplies, and people weighing up to 150 pounds (300 pounds as a 2-person team) in unpredictable weather conditions over varying terrain.
• Risk of bodily harm and potential exposure to infectious diseases, toxic fumes, and chemicals.

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:

• Standing/Walking: Frequently to continuously when responding to calls, including running when time is of the essence. Walking and running may occur on various surfaces such as asphalt, cement, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, etc.
• Sitting: Frequently when responding to a location in the emergency vehicle.
• Lifting and Carrying: Frequently required to lift and carry weight ranging from a few pounds up to 150 pounds individually, and up to 300 pounds as a 2-person team.
• Bending and Stooping: Frequently throughout a work shift, bending in a range of 1 to 90 degrees or greater for prolonged periods.
• Crouching and Kneeling: Frequent crouching and kneeling when picking up equipment or assisting patients.
• Climbing: Occasionally required when climbing steps with a patient on a stretcher or other device, and when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle.
• Reaching: Frequently to continuously to review monitoring equipment, operate communication equipment, administer oxygen, and operate equipment.
• Pushing and Pulling: Frequent activities requiring force when removing or returning a stretcher to the emergency vehicle, with and without a patient.
• Handling or Grasping: Continuously while working, involving various types of grasping such as cylindrical, palmer, hook, tip, lateral, and spherical grasping.
• Hazards: Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, chemicals, vehicular accidents, body substances, and potential bodily harm or death from violent patients or bystanders.

Schedule

This position follows a 24/72 shift schedule (24 hours on duty, 72 hours off).

Additional Information

• This position is identified as "safety sensitive" under the Department of Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy and will be subject to drug and alcohol testing.
• All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.
• Work on holidays, weekends, and irregular hours may be required, including possible extension of shift hours with short notice.