Paramedic I – Emergency Department – Duke University Hospital – Durham, NC

At Duke Health, we’re driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2023-2024. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health’s three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina’s Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

The Emergency Department at Duke University Hospital is comprised of 81 total beds including 18 Pediatric beds/36 Adult Monitored beds/8 Psychiatric beds/11 Evaluation beds/3 Consult beds/4 Triage beds/1 Sexual Assault Examiner Room/ and a dedicated central telemetry station . Our team is active in delivering exemplary care for each patient to ensure an excellent patient experience, every time.

The Paramedic functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team providing direct patient care. The Paramedic performs a variety of activities across various practices settings and patient populations in accordance with the Paramedic scope of practice as defined by the North Carolina Medical Board and with the approval of the practice setting Medical Director.

Work Hours & Shifts:

Shifts available: Full Time – Mid Day Shift

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing direct patient care in accordance with the Paramedic scope of practice as defined by the North Carolina Medical Board under the medical oversight of the Medical Director of the practice setting where the individual will function.
• Assists clinical staff in the evaluation, treatment and care of patients. Obtains pertinent history and performs a physical examination. Performs technical procedures as delegated.
• Monitors patients and maintains records using patient monitoring system and electronic health records. Documents patients’ status, delivery of care and evaluation of the patients’ response to care according to specific procedures and established protocols.
• Documents and maintains an informative and accurate medical record to initiate charges for each patient treated.
• Communicates in a professional manner essential information to all appropriate members of the healthcare team to promote sharing of information throughout the continuum of care.
• Operates extensive medical and mechanical equipment in the hospital and transport environment. Ensures all medical equipment is functioning; restocks medical supplies as needed.
• Provides and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment for the patients, visitors, and staff. Properly disposes of and handles as applicable, sharps, soiled materials, and linens and disinfects area in accordance with policy and policy as applicable. Properly uses PPE when in contact with patients, soiled utility, hazardous materials in accordance with policy.
• Act as preceptor and support the development of other staff and formal learners.
• Participate in the identification of clinical or operational performance improvement opportunities and in performance improvement activities. Supports an environment of evidence-based practice/research/quality improvement initiatives
• Maintain certifications and clinical skills. 
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Education:

• High School Diploma.
• Associates Degree preferred.

Experience:

Preferred one-year experience as Paramedic or other relevant clinical experience is required.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• Current certification as a North Carolina Paramedic or have the ability to obtain certification in the State of North Carolina.
• BLS, ACLS, and PALS required upon hire.
• Current trauma course preferred: PHTLS, BTLS or ITLS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and appropriate application Paramedic scope of practice
• Knowledge of professional theory, practice and procedure
• Ability to assess needs of acute and chronically ill patients and their families
• Ability to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, administrators, leadership and others
• Ability to use sensory and cognitive functions to process and prioritize information, treatment, and follow-up
• Ability to use fine motor skills
• Competent in BLS and/or other specialized life support requirements designated by work area
• Ability to record activities, document assessments, plan of care, interventions, evaluation and re-evaluation of patient status
• Ability to use computer and learn new software programs
• Able to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking
• Ability to remain focused and organized
• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients
• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions
• Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing Required
• Participate in own professional development by maintaining required competencies, identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate assistance or educational offerings

Physical Requirements

• Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, knelling, crouching/squatting, balancing, and pulling. Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.
• Must be able to lift and support the weight up to 75 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, and touch.
• Finger dexterity.
• Bimanual Dexterity: Requiring the use of both hands.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

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