PT or PRN Paramedic

Prerequisites:

Current Florida Paramedic License

Emergency Vehicle Operators Certificate

Current Florida Driver’s License, in good standing

Current BLS, PALS and ACLS certification (AHA or ASHI)

Good Communication and Listening Skills

Proficient in MS Word and related computer skills

Working Hours

Shift rotation and location, as assigned / weekends as required (OT may be required)

This is a hospital-based EMS service.

The Paramedic:

1) functions in uncommon situations;

2) has a basic understanding of stress response and methods to ensure personal well-being;

3) has an understanding of body substance isolation;

4) understands basic medical-legal principles;

5) functions within the scope of care as defined by the State of Florida Department of Health and in conjunction with a Florida licensed EMT and/or Paramedic;

6) complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene.

Upon arrival at the scene of crash or illness, the Paramedic will determine that the scene is safe; assess injuries, determine the total number of patients; request additional help if necessary, coordinating with other emergency medical team members, first responders, police and fire department personnel; The Paramedic will administer emergency medical care; administering first-aid treatment and life-support care to sick or injured persons in pre-hospital settings; operate equipment such as:

a) EKGs;

b) External defibrillators and

c) bag-valve resuscitators in advanced life-support environments

The Paramedic will extricate trapped individuals; transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities; observe, record and report to CLH ED and/or ED Physician the patient’s condition or injury, the treatment provided and reactions to medications and treatment. The position will perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, airway management and heart monitoring, during ambulance transport. The position will administer medications orally or by injection and perform intravenous procedures under the direction of the ED Physician; communicate with dispatchers and treatment center personnel to provide information about patient, to arrange reception of the patient and to receive instructions for further treatment. The Paramedic may be required to immobilize the patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.

The Paramedic renders emergency medical and/or trauma care to adults, children and infants based on assessment findings. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

a) opening and maintaining an airway;

b) ventilating patients;

c) administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators;

d) providing prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as:

• controlling hemorrhage,
• treatment of shock (hypoperfusion),
• bandaging wounds,
• immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed extremities,
• immobilization of painful, swollen, or deformed neck or spine;

e) providing emergency medical care to:

• assist in emergency childbirth,
• manage general medical complaints of altered mental status, respiratory, cardiac, diabetic,

allergic reaction, seizures, poisoning behavioral emergencies, environmental emergencies, and

psychological crises. Additional care is provided based upon assessment of the patient and obtaining historical information

f) searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care

g) assisting patients with prescribed medications, including sublingual nitroglycerin, epinephrine

autoinjectors and hand-held aerosol inhalers;

h) administration of oxygen, oral glucose and activated charcoal.

i) reassuring patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.

j) avoiding mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish the task.

Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, the Paramedic assesses the extent of injury and

gives all possible emergency care and protection to the entrapped patient and uses the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient. If needed, the Paramedic radios the dispatcher for additional help or special rescue and/or utility services. Provides simple rescue service if the ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit. After extrication, provides additional care in triaging the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures.

The Paramedic is responsible for:

◊ lifting the stretcher (be able to lift and carry 125 pounds)

◊ placing it in the ambulance and seeing that the patient and stretcher are secured

◊ continuing emergency medical care white enroute to the medical facility, if necessary

The Paramedic uses the knowledge of the condition of the patient and the extent of injuries and the

relative locations and staffing of emergency hospital facilities to determine the most appropriate facility to which the patient will be transported, unless otherwise directed by medical direction. The Paramedic reports directly to the emergency department or communications center, the nature and extent of injuries, the number being transported and the destination to assure prompt medical care on arrival. The Paramedic identifies assessment findings, which may require communications with the emergency department, for advice and for notification that special professional services and assistance be immediately available upon arrive at the medical facility.

The Paramedic:

1) constantly assesses the patient enroute to the emergency facility, administers additional care as

indicated or directed by the ED physician or his/her designee;

2) assists in lifting and carrying the patient out of the ambulance and into the receiving medical facility;

3) reports verbally and in writing, their observation and emergency medical care of the patient at the emergency scene and in transit, to the receiving medical facility staff for purposes of records and diagnostics;

4) upon request provides assistance to the receiving medical facility staff;

After each call, the Paramedic:

1) restocks and replaces used linens, blankets and other supplies;

2) cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures;

3) makes careful check of all equipment so that the ambulance is ready for the next run;

4) maintains ambulance in efficient operating condition;

5) ensures that the ambulance is clean and washed and kept in a neat orderly condition;

6) in accordance with local, state, federal regulations and CLH biohazard policies and procedures, decontaminates the interior of the vehicle after transport of patient with contagious infection or hazardous materials exposure.