Critical Care Paramedic: Flight and Ground

General Summary of Position

Provides comprehensive emergency medical care to the critically ill and injured during helicopter and ambulance transport from accident scenes, and referring hospitals, under the direction of medical control physicians. Receives direct supervision from the Operations Managers. May at times receive functional supervision from the VP Director, AVP Clinical Operations, and Medical Director.

Must maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds in gear. Required to work in confined space with exposure to extreme temperatures, vibration and altitude; and to stand for extended periods of time. Required to physically lift and transfer patients, and lift and move equipment used for patient care and other sensory facility to provide patient care. Communicates directly and uses aircraft headsets, radios and telephones with patients, physicians, and other staff in emergency and daily patient care activities. May be exposed to personal safety hazards in both air and ground transport.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Delivers expert patient care in helicopters and ambulances to multiple patient types including scene work, adult subspecialties, pediatrics, and high-risk obstetrics. Assesses patient care needs, establishes priorities and delegates tasks to peers and ancillary support staff as appropriate.

Assesses the needs of patients with highly complex problems. Identifies current and potential complex problems, critically analyzes trends and changes in patient status, and plans appropriate interventions directly or indirectly through other nurses and paramedics

Performs basic and advanced airway techniques and treatment modalities, including oxygen therapy, airway maintenance, assisted ventilation, insertion of supraglottic airways, nasal and orotracheal intubation, rapid sequence pharmacological induction to facilitate intubation, surgical cricothyroidotomy, and needle thoracostomy.

In collaboration with the Critical Care Transport Specialist – RN, monitors and evaluates invasive and non-invasive techniques/procedures and their therapeutic effects, including the monitoring and operation of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD), and intracranial monitoring devices during transport. Troubleshoots these devices, recognizes problems, and makes necessary corrections. Recognition and intervention of abnormal parameters includes potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmias requiring electric cardioversion and defibrillation.

Performs a variety of clinical duties including, but not limited to: insertion of nasal and oral gastric tubes and management of autologous blood transfusion systems. Initiates and maintains venous access and intraosseous lines.

Maintains program readiness and ensure cleanliness and appropriate par levels of supplies used by MedSTAR Transport. Ensures helicopter or ambulance readiness with daily review of equipment and supplies and records findings on daily vehicle checklists.

Ensures safe operations during transport-related activities. Assists with helicopter safety training as directed by pilot in command. Also ensures safe operations during ambulance related activities in coordination with Emergency Vehicle Operator.

Evaluates and documents risks and hazards on all transports and in in daily operations in conjunction with current risk assessment and reporting tools as part of the Safety Management System.

Acts as safety officer for specialty team flights, including neonatal transports, organ recovery transports, etc.

Participates in the implementation of unit assessments and audits, including quality assurance and patient classification, product evaluation and product utilization.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Successful completion of the Department of Transportation (DOT) module Paramedic course required
• Specialized and/or advanced clerical, technical or other vocational training acquired during 1 – 2 years of additional job-related training preferred

Experience

• 3 years experience as an NREMT-P required
• Significant field experience in a high acuity, high volume EMS system, and/or pre/intra hospital transport experience preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• NREMT – National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic required
• ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification required
• BLS – Basic Life Support required
• LP – Licensed Paramedic in the District of Columbia within 90 Days required
• LP – Licensed Paramedic in Maryland within 90 Days required
• LP – Licensed Paramedic in Virginia within 90 Days required
• PHTLS within 180 Days required or
• Health Services Transport Prof Adv Trauma Crse – TPATC within 180 Days required or
• ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support Certification within 180 Days required or
• ATCN – Advanced Trauma Care Nurse Certification within 180 Days required
• PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification required
• Health ServicesNRP – Neonatal Resuscitation Certification within 90 Days required
• STABLE – Neonatal Certification Certification within 90 Days required
• NIH – National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification within 90 Days required
• FEMA ICS 100 Course (Federal Emergency Management Agency – Incident Command System) within 90 Days required
• FEMA ICS 200 Course (Federal Emergency Management Agency – Incident Command System) within 90 Days required
• FP-C – Flight Paramedic – Certified from the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) within 2 years required or
• CCP-C – Critical Care Paramedic – Certified from the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) within 2 years required
• Completion of approved Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (e.g., CEVO, EVOC) prior to release from orientation required

Why MedStar Health?

At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:

• Strong emphasis on teamwork – our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
• Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity – we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
• Comprehensive total rewards package – including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
• More career opportunities closer to home – as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.

About MedStar Health

MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It’s how we treat people.

MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health’s policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.

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