Job: Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

The mission and purpose of this position are to compassionately deliver high-quality service and basic patient care in a professional, caring and cost-effective manner.

STRATEGIC CHALLENGES

The EMT is frequently the first or second contact with whom AMR’ customers, especially patients, have interaction. As a result, the EMT must be responsive and adaptable to meet customers’ expectations. The EMT must adapt to the changes in scope of delivery and practices. This may require adapting to new delivery protocols, or training curriculum to maintain certification.

An increasing challenge is adapting to the changing nature of healthcare delivery in the United States. With healthcare reform, regulatory changes, and changing reimbursement, the EMT profession is evolving. The EMT must recognize that an expansion of his/her role is necessary to meet the needs of those individuals served. The role now expands beyond the foundational work of providing compassionate and clinically competent care. The EMT must consider the use of appropriate facilities and understand the reimbursement structure in order to transport the patient to the right facility and ensure payment. The end result decreases customer stress, avoids care delays due to reimbursement constraints, eliminates unnecessary multiple patient transports, and increases customer satisfaction. Growing economic pressures also require the EMT to think of his/her actions and their financial impact.

The EMT is often the focal point for interaction with the fire department and other service providers, as well as other responding agencies, such as the police department. To provide successful response, all agency personnel must work together.

In addition, the delivery of care is often provided to individuals who are afraid or even panicked. Further, service delivery is being provided in communities with increasingly diverse populations.

Finally, changing technology requires the EMT to keep up-to-date with new ways of communicating, documenting and reporting.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Key Internal Customers and Suppliers:
•His/her partner, who may be another EMT, a Paramedic or a Nurse
•The Communications Center professional who provides them the information they need to respond to calls successfully
•Field supervisors, who provide support and guidance on how to perform at his/her best
•Clinical personnel, to grow and stay abreast of the current clinical demands in the medical field
•Fleet and materials management personnel, who ensure the unit is running properly and stocked appropriately
•Peers and colleagues, to regularly share experiences and best practices
•Representatives of the human resources function regarding employment concerns
•Operations personnel responsible for scheduling

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

•Assess each call situation to determine best course of action and appropriate protocol
•Utilize medical equipment to assess patient and carry out basic life support functions
•Develop and utilize triage skills to provide optimal efficiency during calls
•Assist paramedic or nurse with the preparation of advanced life support equipment
•Provide patient care according to clinical protocols and safety requirements
•Lift and move patients as required to provide optimum care
•Communicate with receiving facility to receive medical direction and to provide critical information
•Communicate with patient and loved ones to provide information and assurance that care is being given, and to show compassion
•Act as team leader and take responsibility for scene management as needed
•Drive the ambulance or provide map-reading support to minimize call response time
•Keep current on certifications
•Treat other teammates as described by the AMR Values
•Coach and educate partners of new and changing information as necessary
•Communicate with dispatcher to receive and understand call data and customer feedback
•Monitor and maintain the general condition of the unit, keep it clean and stocked for optimal call response to maintain the image of AMR
•Participate in community programs to maintain AMR image and establish strong community relations
•Document activities completely to ensure appropriate information is available regarding each call
•Follow policies and procedures regarding out-of-chute times and turnaround times
•Negotiate with customers regarding additional service when appropriate (e.g., return transport)
•Consider patient status and insurance preferred facilities when determining transportation destinations

SUCCESS MEASURES:
Operational
•Customer satisfaction
•Clinical skills
•Procedure and protocol adherence and compliance
•Driving record/fail-safe record
•Chute time, turnaround time
•Documentation compliance
•Teamwork
•Self-development and assisting in development of others
•Certification maintenance
•Protection and maintenance of company equipment
•Transport percentage

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or General Education diploma

• Current EMT certification

• Any other current certification required by location or system

• Valid Drivers License

• Driving record in compliance with AMR policy regarding insurability

• Functional literacy (oral and written) in English

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some advanced education

• Multi-lingual

• Some past work experience, preferably in healthcare

• Physically fit

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasionally: Smelling

Frequently: See the Physical Agility Test, kneeling, stooping, bending, leaning, flexibility, multiple physical activities performed at the same time (carrying multiple equipment while pushing on pram)

Constantly: Hearing/listening, clear speech, simple touching, walking (inside and outside), pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, driving ambulance, seeing