Paramedic

SUMMARY: The Paramedics scope of practice includes basic and advanced skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who access the emergency medical system as outlined by the National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to perform invasive and provide pharmacological interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital medical and traumatic emergencies.
• Provides care designed to minimize secondary injury and provide comfort to the patient and family while transporting the patient to an appropriate health care facility.
• Functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight.
• Performs interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance.
• Functions as a link from the scene to the emergency health care system.
• Knowledgeable of the minimum psychomotor skills; such as, 
• Airway and Breathing
• Perform endotracheal intubation
• Perform percutaneous cricothyrotomy
• Decompress the pleural space
• Perform gastric decompression
• Pharmacological Interventions
• Insert an intraosseous cannula
• Enteral and parenteral administration of approved prescription medications
• Access indewelling catheters and implanted central IV ports for fluid and medication administration
• Administer medications by IV infusion
• Maintain an infusion of blood or blood products
• Medical/Cardiac Care
• Perform cardioversion, manual defibrialltion, and transcutaneous pacing
• Trauma Care
• Application and inflation of the pneumatic anti-shock garment (PASG) for fracture stabilization.
• Demonstrates knowledge and respect of patient’s right to privacy and protection of patient’s confidentiality.
• Works as a team member through interaction, assistance and demonstration.
• Participates in emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate between patients, families, ancillary personnel and hospital departments involved in patient care.
• Responsible for the implementation of and compliance with all safety policies and procedures within the department.
• Function as a non-licensed staff member in the emergency department under the direction of the medical director, mid-level (Physician Assistant, Advanced Practice Nurse) or charge RN as requested and allowed by hospital policy. 
• Will be required to work weekend shifts as scheduled.
• Functions as patient advocate.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned requested or required.