Emergency Medical Technician – Basic

SUMMARY: The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system as outlined by the National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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

• insertion of airway adjuncts intended to go into the oropharynx or nasopharynx
• use of positive pressure ventilation devices such as manually triggered ventilators and automatic transport ventilators

Pharmacological Interventions

• Assist patients in taking their own prescribed medications
• Administration of the following over-the-counter medications with appropriate medical oversight:
• Oral glucose for suspected hypoglycemia
• Aspirin for chest pain of suspected ischemic origin

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.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation.
• Competent in medical terminology.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of disease processes.
• Competent in clinical skills and use of medical equipment.
• Knowledgeable of Infection Control and Prevention Programs.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality in communications.
• Knowledgeable about policies and procedures regarding reporting and release of protected health information (PHI).
• Maintain certifications and continuing education requirements needed to perform job.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Successful completion of EMT Basic course
• Current State certification as EMT-Basic or National registry of EMT required NREMT-Basic
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified, required
• Successful completion of the following courses:
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), highly recommended
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), highly recommended OR
• Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC), highly recommended

LANGUAGE/READING SKILLS:

• Communicate verbally and in writing in English.
• Bilingual – English/Spanish preferred

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Basic statistical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY: Responds to unusual or varied situations that are not covered by existing standards, procedures and precedents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, ascend and descend stairs, possess ability to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms.

Frequently driving through heavy traffic under normal and emergency conditions. Frequent exposure to various weather conditions and/or dangerous situations on emergency calls, such as, hostility and undiagnosed diseases. Ability to lift and move patients, which often requires lifting over 100 pounds, and sometimes up to 125 pounds, with a partner. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to clearly focus vision. Specific hearing abilities using the stethoscope for breath sounds and Korotkoff sounds.