Under regular supervision, must be mentally and physically capable of responding to emergency medical calls promptly, providing patient’s quality medical treatment and transportation to appropriate medical facilities. Completes required records and performs routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles. Exercises judgment in all situations and ensures prompt response to emergency calls. Reports to the Crew Chief. Acts as a Crew Chief as directed.SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responds to emergency calls, providing basic and advanced life support treatment to patients, as well as transportation to appropriate medical facility. Obtains patient medical history if possible; assesses physical condition of patients and assists in making decisions regarding proper courses of action. Performs such duties as CPR, splint application, wound treatment, control of bleeding, monitoring and relaying of vital signs, oxygen administration, calculations and administration of medications, interpretation of EKG, defibrillation, intubation, intravenous infusions of fluids, sterile suctioning and blood sugar checks. Aggressively supports crew chief in all life support activities.
 
Assists with or inspects and tests ambulance supplies and equipment to ensure adequate amounts are on hand at all times; monitors supplies and equipment and restocks the ambulance as needed; maintains cleanliness of equipment and ambulance; cleans/decontaminates equipment in preparation for subsequent medical response and shifts.
 
Responsible for the completion of required DHEC records and other reports in order to keep supervisors and shift supervisor informed of events.
 
Provides care and transportation of emergency and non-emergency patients, provides assistance to patients, monitors and relays vital signs and notifies hospitals, doctors, dispatchers, etc., of patients condition, emergency situations, requests for assistance, etc.; maintains adherence to DHEC and medical control standards.
 
Practices and follows safety procedures in operating ambulance on emergency calls; observes all traffic laws and regulations concerning emergency vehicles operations.
 
Performs extrication of victims from wreckage and buildings, movement of individuals, medical supply administration etc., of any and all patients.
 
Operates an ambulance and wide range of life-saving/life supporting equipment, tool, generator, safety gear, siren, medical instruments, radio and supplies.
 
Ability to lift, handle and operate stretchers and other equipment required to provide emergency care services.
 
If certified as an advanced EMT or paramedic, will provide advanced life support functions, including, but not limited to intubation, IV therapy, EKG monitoring, defibrillation, external pacing, administering required mediation and pleural decompression.

If certified as an advanced EMT or paramedic may act as a Crew Chief as directed by senior staff.

Maintains a variety of medical equipment and supplies such as an ambulance, , suction units, oxygen tanks, splints tow-way radio equipment, stethoscope, etc.

Maintains radio communications with dispatch center, hospital personnel and other public safety agencies to receive and to transmit instructions involving patient care. Provides instructions to first responders and bystanders in the use of first aid equipment.

Assists in securing accident scenes as necessary, performing such duties as gathering information, preserving evidence and assisting with auto extrication.

Attends required training. Satisfactorily completes all knowledge and skills objectives.

Works under high risk, stressful conditions that include life-threatening situations and under adverse conditions. Maintains work schedule on assigned shift.

Assists in securing accident or crime scenes, performing such duties as gathering information, preserving evidence, minimizing pedestrian interference, controlling traffic, etc.

Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits documents including daily logs, vehicle maintenance logs, charge tickets, supply order forms, patient treatment and insurance records, inventory lists, expense forms, check sheets, incident reports, Coroner’s reports, memos, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, other County department staff, law enforcement personnel, S. C. Wildlife Department officers, rescue squad personnel, fire department personnel, Coroner, Solicitor, attorneys, public utility workers, patients and their families, hospital staff, news media, life guards, DHEC inspectors, nursing home personnel, inmates, funeral home personnel, morgue personnel, pathologists, Poison Control Center personnel, etc., and the general public.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO PATIENT PRIVACY

The incumbent is expected to protect the privacy of all patient information in accordance with the Company’s privacy policies, procedures and practices, as required by federal (and state) law, and in accordance with general principles of professionalism as a health care provider. Failure to comply with the Company’s policies and procedures on patient privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or of membership or association with Florence County EMS.

The incumbent may access protected health information and other patient information only to the extent that is necessary to complete your job duties. The incumbent may only share such information with those who have a need to know specific patient information you have in your possession to complete their job responsibilities related to treatment, payment or other company operations.

The incumbent is encouraged and expected to report, without the treat of retaliation, any concern regarding the Company’s policies and procedures on patient privacy and any observed practices in violation of that policy to the designated Privacy Officer.

The incumbent is expected to actively participate in Company privacy training and is required to communicate privacy policy information to co-workers, students, patients and others in accordance with Company policy.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists with new employee orientation/training as requested.
 
Performs general housekeeping of station and department areas.
 
Participates in public relations activities as necessary.
 
Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Requires high school diploma and South Carolina certification as a basic, intermediate, advanced, or paramedic,  emergency medical technician supplemented by five to eleven months of EMS experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must be in good physical health. Must possess a valid state driver’s license. Must achieve minimum required scores on written and practical pre-employment examinations administered by Florence County EMS.