Paramedic

The RMH Willmar Ambulance Paramedic shall function as a member of the medical care team in providing patient care and a safe transport environment in an ambulance and the emergency department of Rice Hospital. All employees are team members and share the responsibility for the delivery of highly competent, advanced life support emergency medical care and treatment to all individuals. The paramedic also delivers emergency and health care education to hospital staff, First Responders and other groups when requested by Emergency Services director or Ambulance Manager. All staff will be expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times.


• JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

A. REPORTS TO: Ambulance Operations Manager and Emergency Services Director and Designated Charge Nurse when working in the Emergency Department.

B. SUPERVISES: EMT, First Responders and ride along participants in prehospital environment.

C. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH: Emergency Services, nursing and support staff. Police and Sheriffs Department, Rescue Squads and other emergency response personnel, Willmar Ambulance - Emergency Services Medical Director.


• HOURS OF WORK: Must be able to work a variety of hours or shifts as assigned. Available for call backs during disaster involved personnel shortages.


• DRESS CODE: Per approved service dress code. Facial hair which would interfere with sealing of a mask is not permitted.


• ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK (Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full productivity).

A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 1. High School diploma or equivalent. 2. Current Minnesota State EMT-P certification and National Registry

certification. 3. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license (minimum

equivalent to a Minnesota Class "C" driver's license.) 4. Driver's motor vehicle record must meet requirements set forth in

Personnel Policy Handbook. 5. American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support 6. American Heart Pediatric Advanced Life Support

B. EXPERIENCE: 1. Minimum of six months paramedic experience in an ALS service

preferred. 2. BLS Instructor training preferred. 3. BTLS training preferred.

C. JOB KNOWLEDGE (Specific): 1. Working knowledge of Paramedic skills, ability to maintain an effective

working relationship with patients, public, peers and supervisory personnel. Ability to communicate ideas, explanations, and recommendation clearly, both orally and in writing. Writing and spelling skills appropriate for completion of patient charts and other required forms. Computer data entry


• BUDGET: None


• CLIENTELE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY JOB: Patients in our Primary Services Area, and Emergency Department and other ambulance service areas, as requested


• PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB: 1. Lift and carry equipment on 1 or both shoulders weighing a total of 60# up and

down a flight(s) of stairs - base equipment consists of 02 tank, defribillator, supply bag

2. Lift and carry - without assistance - a minimum of 100# 3. Lift and carry individual patients of varying weights greater than 100# with weight

being shared with others 4. Climb stairs or walk on uneven terrain in order to access patients and remove

them from the location the task may or may not involve carrying equipment or moving a stretcher

5. Firm gripping is required when doing Blood Pressures, connecting equipment, documenting, stabilizing a person or s person's extremity, and/or working with various pieces of equipment

6. Overhead reaching to hand IV tubing, adjust monitors, etc. 7. 25# of force is required when applying a manual paddle prior to defribillating a

person 8. Repetitive chest compressions are required when doing CPR


• PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB: Working conditions include being indoors or outdoors anytime of the day and in any kind of weather with frequent exposure to disagreeable elements and danger and noise. The setting may be in bright daylight, indoor lighting or no lighting at all. Temperature ranges may include very hot to very cold. It may be noisy and fumes may be present from equipment or machines.


• EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES USED ON THE JOB: A. Motor vehicles / Ambulances

B. Patient care equipment 1. IV Pumps

2. Defibrillators 3. Pulse Asymmetry and Co2 Detection devices 4. Heart monitoring equipment


• MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

A. JUDGEMENT AND INITIATIVE: Requires continuous mental effort for decision making and problem solving in patient care situations. Ability to work under pressure.

B. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Need to perform at independent level within parameters of established policies and procedures. Accepts responsibility for timely completion of work tasks and projects as assigned by the Ambulance Manager.

C. EFFECT OF ERROR: High understanding of potential liability concerns for patient care errors, and Quality Control process.

D. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Ability to interact with the public and co-workers under circumstances which require the application of specific knowledge, tact, diplomacy and sound judgement.


• PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, AND AUTHORITIES:

A. RESPONSIBILITY: Ambulance Service Patient Care Activities: To improve the health of the community we serve through basic and advanced life support in the prehospital environment, and to work as an adjunct to in- hospital emergency services

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: As outlined in Willmar Ambulance P&P manual, and medical protocols book

AUTHORITIES: Willmar Ambulance Standard Operating Procedures

B. RESPONSIBILITY: Leadership

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: 1. Provide direction and assistance to any crew member as needed. 2. Coordinate overall transport. 3. Assist the incident commander at scene responses and provide direction

in the areas of patient care expertise.

4. Act as EMS incident commander at scene as needed or in absence of on scene supervisor.

AUTHORITIES:

C. RESPONSIBILITY: Safety (in and around the vehicle) including:

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: 1. Load, unload and transport patient with the assistance of other transport

personnel a. Using proper bending/lifting techniques to safely transfer patients

with a weight up to and sometimes exceeding 100 pounds (distributed weight) in and out of the vehicle.

b. Provide safety briefing to fellow crew members, hospital team and non-medical team passengers prior to transport. (When indicated, the safety of the referring facility and scene personnel).

2. Monitor and direct "ride along" participants. 3. Participate in and Implement emergency egress procedures involving

Hospital and vehicles. 4. Identify and respond to safety issues in a timely manner.

D. RESPONSIBILITY: Vehicle Readiness

PRIORITY: B % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: 1. Monitor equipment for proper function 2. Report malfunctioning equipment to appropriate person in a timely

manner. 3. Restock supplies as needed including checking of out dates of

medications and daily narcotic checks 4. Clean vehicles and ambulance vehicle areas per S.O.P.

E. RESPONSIBILITY: Paramedic / RN team patient care activities in Emergency Services: Paramedics from Rice Memorial Hospital's Ambulance Service will assist in Emergency Services as needed. Paramedics will be partnered with the RN as a team and work under the direction of the ES RN within the responsibilities and expectations outlined in hospital policy.

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME:100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: As per Rice Hospital Emergency Services policy of Paramedics Role in the Emergency Services P&P EMER 11127

AUTHORITIES: Transition Team

F. RESPONSIBILITY: Delegated Ambulance Service Tasks and Project responsibilities

PRIORITY: C % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: Listed below, not all inclusive

1. Provide community education training and public relations as requested and scheduled by the Ambulance Operations Manager

2. Maintain documentation and other paper work assignments. 3. Provide quality improvement input in order to continuously improve key

processes identified. 4. Provide standby coverage at various high risk activities in our Primary

Services Area. 5. Perform other duties and functions as assigned by Director and/or

Ambulance Operations Manager. 6. Maintain the degree of medical knowledge and skill established by

Willmar Ambulance Medical Director to maintain all required certifications. 7. Maintain intubation and IV insertion skills under direction of the

Ambulance Medical Director 8. Provide team oriented patient care activities within the parameters of the

Willmar Ambulance protocols and paramedic scope of practice, understanding that you may not always be in the lead paramedic role and at times may be asked to complete BLS and well as ALS patient care tasks under the direction of a lead paramedic while on a call.

G. RESPONSIBILITY: Continuous Quality Improvement

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 100% DISCRETION: C

TASKS: 1. Demonstrates understanding of the CQI philosophy. 2. Participates in CQI training activities or CQI teams if appropriate. 3. Demonstrates sensitivity to customers and their needs. 4. Interacts appropriately with internal customers, i.e. coworkers within

departments. 5 Interacts appropriately with external customers, i.e. patients, families,

medical staff, vendors. 6. Role models positive behaviors.

H. RESPONSIBILITY: Service Excellence

TASKS: Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Service Excellence philosophy by adhering to behaviors outlined in Rice's "Standards of Excellence."

I. RESPONSIBILITY: Safety - Maintain and promote a safe environment for all patients, visitors and staff.

TASKS: 1. Consistently follow all policies, practices and work rules. 2. Do not use shortcuts or "work-arounds" that may reduce safety or

increase risk. 3. Stay alert, act responsibly and use common sense to reduce risks.

1. Report "actual events" and "good catches" as soon as possible. 2. Create a safe environment by eliminating hazards and identifying and

reporting unsafe systems. 3. Complete all mandatory safety education, attend safety sessions, review

and understand the Safety Program (available on RiceNet). Seek answers to questions you have about the Safety Program.

Revisions:12/99,02/00,08/01,9/05

SPECIFIC DEMANDS OF THE JOB - Physical Requirements

Never

Rarely (1-5%) up to 1 hr.

Occasionally (6-33%) up to 21/2 hrs

Frequently (34- 66%) 2 2 - 5 2 hrs.

Continuously (67 - 100%) over 5 2 hrs