Paramedic

Performs responsible protective service work in providing emergency medical services to critically ill and injured patients under emergency conditions; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Emergency Medical Services Battalion Chief and Captain.

Responding to emergency calls, providing emergency medical services and transportation; preparing and maintaining detailed records.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

 

• Responds to emergency calls involving chest pain, possible heart attack, respiratory distress, unconsciousness, diabetic shock, drug overdose, drowning, trauma, behavioral or other true medical emergency conditions which might require advanced life support; provides emergency medical care in accordance with established guidelines and written verbal instructions from physicians.

   

   

• Determines extent of illness or injury and establishes priorities for required care.

   

   

• Transmits vital patient information and telemetry data to receiving medical care facility.

   

   

• Observes patient in route and administers additional care as needed.

   

   

• Inspects advanced life support and telemetry equipment daily and ensures proper maintenance and operating conditions and inventories supplies.

   

   

• Assists in training students and intermediates.

   

   

• Interacts with assisting law enforcement and fire and rescue agencies and the public.

   

   

• May be required to operate a County/emergency vehicle in the course of employment.

   

   

• Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if appointed or volunteer.

   

   

• Performs related tasks as required.

   

Thorough knowledge of emergency medical care techniques and procedures; thorough knowledge of advanced life support methods, procedures and equipment; thorough knowledge of medical terminology; thorough knowledge of the methods, materials, practices, techniques and equipment required for emergency medical treatment; thorough knowledge of the street system and physical lay-out of the County; ability to perform duties in emergency situations and to evaluate and differentially diagnose patient’s conditions and communicate clearly with professional medical personnel; ability to perform general emergency medical treatment and specialized cardiac treatment; ability to respond quickly and calmly in emergency and stress situations; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with physicians, fellow employees and the public; and ability to prepare reports.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and/or community college with major coursework in emergency medical services supplemented by required emergency medical services training and some experience in emergency medical services (paramedic work).

Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Possession and maintenance of current certificates issued by the State of North Carolina for Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic).

This is very heavy work requiring the ability to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and oils; worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.