Paramedic

The Paramedic is responsible providing care, treatment, and transportation for medical emergencies in the pre-hospital setting while providing said emergency medical care up to the advanced life support level as approved by the Hernando County Common Medical Protocols. Medical Care at Fire/Rescue related scenes.

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Operates and maintains assigned apparatus and equipment used in fire/rescue activities.
• Responds to all alarms assigned by the dispatch center.
• Provides triage, treatment and transport and emergency and non-emergency scenes.
• Drafts medical incident reports in a concise and professional manner.
• Provides ALS patient care pursuant to the current HCFR EMS protocols and performs all needed BLS and ALS procedures set forth within the EMS protocols.
• As necessary, retains secure control over and administers narcotics and other controlled medications pursuant to HCFR policy.
• Assists in training of newly certified and student EMT’s and Paramedics, when assigned.
• Operates EMS units in emergent and non-emergent modes with enhanced driving skills.
• Drive one handed safely while using the other hand to operate radio, sirens, and air horns.
• Lifts equipment and supplies weighing more than 50 lbs. using entire body strength.
• Performs lifting of patients of various size and weights from various heights and positions to stretcher, to rescue unit and to hospital bed.
• Provides exemplary patient care, protocol, and policy compliance, and displays exceptional role model behavior towards all personnel and citizens.
• Keeps informed on rescue related activities, supplies, and facilities in the district. Keeps informed of new equipment and methods.
• Prepares and submits various reports as assigned by supervisor or other management staff.
• Routinely testifies in court reference to his/her actions at fire, medical or vehicle site.
• Performs cleaning and maintaining of fire engines, rescue units, fire stations and equipment.
• Performs other non-emergency, maintenance, and clerical duties during shift.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by a supervisor or other management staff. 
• The nature of the job requires the employee to be versatile and proficient in all areas of pre-hospital patient care, rescue, pre-hospital medicine and training regardless of the current job and assignment since a change of roles can happen at any moment and time, depending upon the emergency.
• Maintain compliance with the County Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy.
• May be required to testify in court, regarding his/her actions at training, fire, medical or vehicle accident sites. 
• Attendance in accordance with HCFR policies. 

Emergency Response 
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. 

Minimum Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent (GED). Minimum one (1) year working as an EMT or paramedic preferred, in a pre-hospital EMS or hospital emergency department.

Special Requirements

• Successful completion of the background investigatory process and ability to meet other requirements as further defined in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64J, Emergency Medical Services.
• Obtain and maintain CJIS Clearance, for CAD access.
• Via the department’s paramedic Internship program, receive and maintain the HCFR Medical Director’s authorization to function as a Paramedic. 
• This position is subject to the Hepatitis B Vaccine.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by the current insurance carrier.
• State of Florida Paramedic License
• ACLS Provider, department approved
• PALS Provider, preferred, department will provide course.
• BLS Provider, department approved
• EVOC Certification, current or pass approved department EVOC course.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of the operations and maintenance of EMS vehicles and equipment used in medical rescue activities.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
• Employee is responsible for having a complete mastery of the current HCFR Common
• Ability to function independently with minimal, or no supervision 
• Critical decision-making skills within the scope of the rank with HCFR.
• Ability to gain knowledge of the physical layout of the county street systems.
• Knowledge of all radio procedures used in the communication process.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and the public.
• Knowledge of the current Medical Protocols approved by the Medical Director.
• Knowledge of modern pre-hospital medical care standards, procedures & techniques.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral & written instructions.
• Ability to interact with the department’s Medical Director to ensure compliance and full understanding of his/her expectations.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to work within a paramilitary environment with a strict set of dress, appearance, and operational protocols.

Equipment Used

• Medical equipment and devices
• Communication Systems, radio, telephone, internet, and intranets
• computer based ePCR systems
• Dispatch CAD Systems
• EMS Apparatus, as appropriate and required rescue equipment,
• Personal Protective Equipment as assigned.

Essential Physical Skills

• Ability to pass a department annual physical. Employees failing to successfully pass the annual physical will be referred to the department physician of record for final medical clearance for duty.
• Ability to complete post offer/pre-employment medical examination.
• Employee is expected to participate in an on-going physical exercise program to maintain physical essential job requirements or functions.
• Ability to endure sustained acts of physical exertion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations including activities such as lifting/carrying, reaching, climbing, pulling, good near and distant vision (with or without correction), Good hearing (with or without hearing aid), kneeling, bending, pushing, standing, crawling, balancing, smelling, stooping, jumping, and running.
• Ability to respond to a vast array of medical emergencies, delivering quality emergency care to all patients always.
• Ability to undergo more than two (2) hours of related training daily.
• Ability to pass annual physical agility test in allotted time demonstrating actual job tasks.  

Environmental Conditions

• Environmental natural conditions often found in our geographic area (e.g., thunderstorms, extreme heat, cold, floods, high winds, and the like)
• Hazardous conditions: Flames, fire, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting, and related hazards and stressful situations.
• Exposure to body fluids, foul odors, and bio-hazardous human waste.
• Unstable emergency scenes where law enforcement is needed or will be required.
• Employee responds to crisis situations that require the incumbent to make major decisions involving people, resources, and property.

Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on policy, education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED.
All applications will be carefully reviewed to evaluate qualifications and overall suitability for the position. The relevance, scope, and length of related work experience, training, and education outlined in the application and resume will be considered during the screening process. Selected applicants will be contacted to participate in interviews. Candidates are encouraged to clearly document all pertinent experience, including relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained outside of traditional employment, in the additional information section of the application.

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. 

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.