Paramedic (Per Diem)

About the role

At Hackensack Meridian Health, our team members are the heart of what makes us better. We help our patients live better, healthier lives and support one another to succeed. The Paramedic is responsible for providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, delivering quality pre-hospital care to individuals of all age groups during emergency care and transportation. This role ensures safe and prompt patient transport while maintaining professionalism in hazardous and uncontrolled environments, often requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The Paramedic must integrate care seamlessly with emergency agencies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, completing patient care reports and supporting daily operational tasks in accordance with New Jersey State Guidelines (N.J.A.C. 8:41) and HMH protocols.

Responsibilities

• Respond to calls in a timely manner.
• Assist and support public safety personnel and healthcare providers during patient care.
• Perform assessments and use critical thinking to identify patient conditions and determine treatment courses.
• Assess the nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
• Identify and address the needs of diverse patient populations (e.g., age, culture, language, hearing, or visually impaired).
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers at their developmental, educational, and literacy levels.
• Obtain essential data from patients, families, and other sources to provide effective pre-hospital care.
• Complete thorough physical examinations and perform appropriate interventions.
• Observe, record, and report pertinent medical information to medical control physicians in an organized manner.
• Update medical control physicians as necessary.
• Attend to patient needs promptly, ensuring comfort during transport in all weather conditions.
• Operate motor vehicles safely and professionally, complying with laws, HMH policies, and emergency vehicle operation guidelines.
• Alternate driving responsibilities reasonably with partners.
• Perform and document daily vehicle and equipment checks, ensuring no hazards exist before operation.
• Maintain adequate fuel and fluid levels in vehicles.
• Keep vehicle interiors clean and free of debris.
• Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of all vehicle equipment.
• Park and secure vehicles appropriately when unattended.
• Operate wireless communication devices professionally for dispatches and medical control.
• Cooperate with HMH’s Quality Assurance program to evaluate care quality, document trends, resolve problems, and monitor patient outcomes.
• Provide complete verbal handoffs when transferring care to receiving healthcare providers per HMH policy.
• Complete patient care reports in a timely manner according to HMH policy and applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of controlled dangerous substances per HMH and departmental policies.
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and clean EMS equipment, vehicles, and station facilities; report failures promptly.
• Document and report unusual events/incidents/occurrences per HMH policy.
• Maintain par levels of necessary supplies, including vehicle and station stock, and clean/repair as needed.
• Dispose of soiled linen and regulated medical waste according to HMH policy.
• Provide education within the paramedic scope and as directed by leadership.
• Maintain knowledge of HMH policies, procedures, and applicable state/federal regulations.
• Ensure all required certifications are current and submitted to leadership; notify leadership of any validation issues.
• Participate in required training and patient care quality reviews to maintain clinical competency.
• Provide excellent customer service and initiate service recovery when necessary.
• Serve as a preceptor for paramedic students or Field Training Officer when assigned.
• May serve in the role of an Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B).
• Adhere to HMH Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior, maintaining professionalism at all times.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Completion of the following Incident Command System (ICS) courses:
  • ICS-100 or ICS-100.b or Introduction to Incident Command System for Healthcare/Hospitals.
  • ICS-200 or ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents or Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations.
  • ICS-700.a or NIMS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction.
  • IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Suite).

Qualifications

Preferred:

• Associate’s degree.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic Certification or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Paramedic Certification or Mobile Intensive Care Nurse Certification.
• BLS AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification or BLS Instructor Trainer.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification or ACLS Instructor Certification.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification or PALS Instructor Certification.
• Valid Driver’s License from a USA state.
• Certified Emergency Vehicle Operator or Emergency Vehicle Operator within 90 days of entering position.
• International Trauma Life Support Certification, Prehospital Trauma Life Support Certification, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, or Tactical Emergency Casualty Care within 6 months of entering position.

Working Conditions

• Provides ALS patient care involving lifting patients, carrying equipment, and climbing in/out of ambulances and tight spaces.
• Lifts a minimum of 100 lbs., pushes/pulls a minimum of 100 lbs., and stands a minimum of 4 hours per day.
• Works in hazardous conditions and uncontrolled environments while wearing appropriate PPE.

Contacts

• HMH personnel, healthcare providers, local public safety personnel, municipal/county/state officials, and the general public.

Pay

The starting rate of pay is $39.97 per hour. The posted rate is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting and may vary based on non-discriminatory factors such as labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, budget, and grant funding. Full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) positions are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Certain roles may also qualify for shift differentials, performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions.