Position Description

Job Title:  Emergency Medical Technician

Reports to: Program Manager

Classification: Regular, Full-Time,

Pay Range: $25.00 - $30.00 Hourly

Location: Berkeley, CA 94709

About Us: Bonita House, Inc. (BHI) is a nonprofit mental health agency with multiple sites in Alameda County and an operating budget of $14.5 million. Founded in 1971, BHI provides social rehabilitation including a full range of Medi-Cal services to adults with co-occurring serious mental health and substance use disorders.

Our Mission: Building community, dignity, hope and wellness through services that support recovery and self-sufficiency with people who are living with serious mental health challenges.

Our Values: Compassion: Committed to caring, dignity and kindness. Respect: Honor each individual and provide highly ethical services. Progress: Leading the way in creating opportunities to change for the better. Resilience: Channeling hope, building strengths to successfully recover, adapt and grow. Embracing Differences: Honor and celebrate our diverse communities and individual uniqueness.

Position Summary:

Working collaboratively with the Clinician and Peer Support Specialist, as a team, the EMT will respond to the call, providing medical assessments and Basic Life Support to clients experiencing behavioral emergencies in the City of Berkeley. The EMT will need use sound judgment in accordance with company, and local standing protocol as the solo medical representative on scene of incidents. Opportunities for 80 hours of additional training including motivational interviewing, crisis intervention teams, Pro-Act, and opportunities with allied Fire, Ambulance and Police Department agencies.

This position requires 10-hour shifts working 4 days a week, including one weekend day. There are Day, Swing, and Overnight shifts available.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitates transport of cooperative and nonviolent clients to the appropriate level of care, including emergency departments, crisis stabilization units, crisis treatment facilities and others. Assists in de-escalation techniques.
• Determines and identifies need for advanced life support or additional resources as needed.
• Performs thorough documentation, maintains appropriate certifications and skill competencies.
• Provides ongoing assessments, turnover reports, interfaces with facility staff.
• Exhibits strong clinical skill in accordance with scope of practice.
• Provides medical assessment for clients experiencing behavioral emergencies.
• Radio operations, communication with dispatch, fire, police, facility and hospital personnel
• Documentation of client’s presentation, complete paperwork, patient care reports, complete narratives with accuracy and punctuality.
• Advises clinical team of findings, provides advisement for a destination decision.
• Assists in de-escalation techniques, works with team to maintain scene safety and awareness.
• Vehicle operation and navigation to and from incident locations and during client transport
• Equipment maintenance, maintain inventory and expiration checklist. Decontamination as needed.

• Must demonstrate ability to work as a team, triage, problem solve.
• Must maintain legal and ethical reporting and privacy mandates.
• Maintains required certifications and ensures ongoing clinical proficiencies and skills.
• Attends in-service trainings and meetings with EMS, Clinical, and Peer Support Personnel
• Exhibits strong customer service skills.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications and Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required. Associate’s, BA/BS are desirable.
• Must have an issued an active California EMT Certification.
• 1 year 911 experience or 2 years of experience in an emergency, behavioral health or crisis setting.
• AHA BLS Provider certification required.
• Current Medical Examiners, Ambulance Driver’s License
• Must have a California Driver’s License, insurability according to company standards.
• Ability to pass a thorough background check, drug test and physical examination.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Reliable transportation to and from work locations in various locations in Alameda County
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in stressful circumstances.
• Possesses and demonstrates strong organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Experience as a Field Training Officer, EMT or AHA program instruction is desirable.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands. Must be able to lift 50 pounds. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bonita House, Inc. is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.