Quality Improvement Paramedic (Term -1 Year)

Position Type:

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Closing date:

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Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medavie Health Services (MHS) that manages and operates ground ambulance, air medical transport and the medical communications operations in Nova Scotia through a performance-based contract with the provincial government's Emergency Health Services (EHS) Operations division and the Department of Health and Wellness. As well, EMC operates TeleHealth/811 medical communications for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for the Department of Health.

We access all communities in Nova Scotia in a timely and efficient manner with our fleet of more than 180 ambulances and support vehicles operating out of 60+ stations. We respond to 165,000+ calls annually across the province, which are actively managed through the EHS Operations Medical Communications Centre, the hub of all emergency (911) and non-emergency (hospital transfers) medical calls. 

The EHS Operations LifeFlight program provides even greater accessibility by responding to patients on scene or through inter-facility transports by our critical care team via helicopter, fixed wing, or ground ambulance.

In addition, paramedics in Nova Scotia participate in various programs both urban and rural such as community-based paramedic programs, collaborative emergency centres, and emergency preparedness and special operations, to name a few.

There are lots of opportunities waiting for you in Nova Scotia. Apply now to learn more about our service and available positions.

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The Quality Improvement (QI) Paramedic, with Integrated Health Programs (IHP) focus, is integral to the monitoring and improvement of EHS IHP service delivery and program development. In this unionized (IUOE) position, the incumbent will report to the Quality Improvement Supervisor and work in close collaboration with EMC colleagues, EHS and other partners. The incumbent will collect, analyze, and report clinical and operational performance data, identify trends and concerns, participate in and lead quality improvement initiatives, and promote the delivery of safe and effective care.

Quality Improvement: Participate in, support, and lead quality improvement initiatives using quality improvement science, to improve clinical and operational performance within EMC programs and services.

Identify opportunities for improvement from clinical audit findings; survey results; EHS data; and through consultation with internal partners, directives from regulators, and other sources as required.

Plan and develop quality improvement initiatives and projects, including performance measure development; quantitative data collection; qualitative data collection through online surveys and in-person discussions or focus groups; data visualization; QI tool application; working group facilitation; testing of initiatives; knowledge translation through written communication and in-person conversations with peers; formal presentation of results to leaders, peers and committee members  (e.g., CQI committee meetings); and evaluation of initiatives as necessary.

Clinical Auditing: The incumbent will coordinate clinical audits to monitor compliance with practice guidelines and other applicable standards (e.g., internal policies). This includes determining cases to be audited; defining audit parameters; delegating clinical audits for completion; tracking the status of ongoing clinical audits; collating results, ensuring completion and accuracy of clinical audits; and provision of clinical feedback forms to EHS providers.

The incumbent will participate in the design of auditing tools. This includes developing and testing audit worksheets and creating instructions. The incumbent will also provide ongoing support for auditors and provide audit training for new auditors, including the provision of feedback to ensure consistency.

The incumbent may complete directed and routine clinical audits and feedback as required and identify recommendations for, and outcomes of, quality improvement based on audit findings.

Data Requests and Evaluation: The incumbent will contribute to data and informational needs for the broader organization, including program evaluations, research projects, training and development, and external QI requests. This may involve developing performance measures; developing row level reports; aggregating data; data visualization; data verification; survey questionnaire development and thematic analysis; report writing; and presentation of clinical and operational data to be shared with internal and external partners.

Collaboration: The incumbent will participate in committees and working groups as required and provide subject matter expertise for other organizational programs or initiatives.

Education:

• Completion of a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) diploma or equivalent required.
• University degree or college diploma in paramedicine/healthcare, business, engineering, or a similar field is a strong asset.
• Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) diploma or equivalent is a strong asset.

Experience:

• Three years’ experience as a Ground/Field Paramedic required.
• One or more years of experience ​ as a Clinical Support Paramedic, Community Paramedic, Extended Care Paramedic, or similar specialty clinical experience strongly preferred.
• Five or more years’ experience as a Paramedic preferred.
• Quality improvement, research, risk management or safety related experience is a strong asset.
• Leadership and other experience from previous positions (e.g., Senior Operations Paramedic, Clinical Development Paramedic, Field Training Paramedic) is a strong asset.

Certifications:

• Current licensure as a Paramedic in good standing with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine required.
• Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) licensure or higher is a strong asset.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Integrated Health Programs: demonstrated knowledge and understanding of principles and concepts of integrated models of care.
• Professionalism and Privacy: handling sensitive personal information and patient health information with upmost sensitivity and protection of confidentiality is essential.
• Analytics: strong data analysis, problem-solving, and data entry skills required.
• Technology: Proficient in the use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite, with experience working with spreadsheets required.
• Clinical Judgment: a strong clinician with strong clinical decision making and documentation skills, with maintenance of clinical competency required.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication, with strong presentation and facilitation skills required.
• Organizational Skills: Attention to detail and proficient in time management.
• Collaboration: Able to work independently as well as within a team environment.
• Knowledge of Quality Improvement science and methodologies is a strong asset.
• Experience with graphic design and/or visual workflow development (e.g. Visio) is an asset.
• Experience with computer science is an asset.
• Familiarity with provincial privacy legislation is an asset.
• Familiarity with project management methods is an asset

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Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the citizens we serve. We are committed to building an inclusive team that represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, races, perspectives and skills. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, African Canadians, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities. Candidates who identify as being from any of these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify.