Paramedic I/II

Job Title: Paramedic I/II

Department: Emergency Services

Hiring Range: $27.77 – $31.83

Posted Internally and Externally

This position will be hired as an Paramedic I or II depending on candidate qualifications. The pay rate for Paramedic I is $27.77/hour and the range for Paramedic II is $29.99/hour to $31.83/hour depending on education and experience above minimum qualifications.

Purpose of the position:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide emergency first-aid and medical treatment and respond to emergency rescue situations involving bodily injury or potential loss of life.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Maintain readiness and serve as a crew member responding to emergency medical calls and administering medical stabilization to patients in the field.
• Provide service and medical care in the context of the medical emergency that follows established protocols.
• Collect, communicate, and accurately document information about the medical emergency to further quality patient care; deliver complete and timely report to hospital staff and assure patient privacy.
• Administer medical care to patients in the event that other members of the crew are classified as Emergency Medical Technician or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
• Administer fluids and drugs to patients in route to hospital, start and maintain intravenous infusion; perform pulmonary ventilation and obtain blood for laboratory analysis.
• Administer emergency cardiac care as well as other advanced emergency medical treatments such as administering drugs parenterally, orally, or topically; obtaining blood; and perform pulmonary ventilation.
• Participate in trainings to improve competency in medical technical work and ambulance service/operation.
• Observe and learn street and road patterns and networks of the County in order that future runs may be made with minimum difficulty and delay.
• Respond to non-emergency calls such as requests to transport patients from hospitals to their homes or from a local medical facility to a specialized medical center.
• Assist in the inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment used in emergency medical service.
• Test and maintain medical instruments such as mechanical CPR units, defibrillators, oxygen tanks, masks, gauges and regulators.
• Act as preceptor for statewide pre-hospital education program by mentoring and evaluating student performance as a Paramedic or EMT trainee.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire for a EMT Paramedic I): Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by required course work in emergency medical techniques and at least one (1) year experience as am EMT; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Additional Training and Experience for a Paramedic I: Experience in emergency medical service work preferred. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certifications or approved equivalents obtained within 1 year of appointment.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation for a Paramedic I:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
• Credentialed as a Paramedic by the North Carolina Office of EMS.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire for a Paramedic II): Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by required course work in emergency medical techniques and at least three (3) years of experience as a Paramedic; or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Additional Training and Experience for a Paramedic II: Certification as a Critical Care Paramedic by International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSA) or University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC); Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation for a Paramedic II:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
• Credentialed as a Paramedic by the North Carolina Office of EMS.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Maintain readiness and serve as a crew member responding to emergency medical calls and administering medical stabilization to patients in the field.
• Provide service and medical care in the context of the medical emergency that follows established protocols.
• Collect, communicate, and accurately document information about the medical emergency to further quality patient care; deliver complete and timely report to hospital staff and assure patient privacy.
• Administer medical care to patients in the event that other members of the crew are classified as Emergency Medical Technician or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.
• Administer fluids and drugs to patients in route to hospital, start and maintain intravenous infusion; perform pulmonary ventilation and obtain blood for laboratory analysis.
• Administer emergency cardiac care as well as other advanced emergency medical treatments such as administering drugs parenterally, orally, or topically; obtaining blood; and perform pulmonary ventilation.
• Participate in trainings to improve competency in medical technical work and ambulance service/operation.
• Observe and learn street and road patterns and networks of the County in order that future runs may be made with minimum difficulty and delay.
• Respond to non-emergency calls such as requests to transport patients from hospitals to their homes or from a local medical facility to a specialized medical center.
• Assist in the inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment used in emergency medical service.
• Test and maintain medical instruments such as mechanical CPR units, defibrillators, oxygen tanks, masks, gauges and regulators.
• Act as preceptor for statewide pre-hospital education program by mentoring and evaluating student performance as a Paramedic or EMT trainee.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic and advanced emergency medical procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of equipment and supplies employed in the emergency care of patients and victims of accidents.
• Knowledge of procedures in extrication, movement of patients, rescue techniques, transportation, and psychological needs of a patient.
• Knowledge of life support techniques of patients in the field.
• Knowledge of County geography and of the location of roads and streets within the County.
• Skill in diagnosing a victim’s condition and applying emergency medical care.
• Ability to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.
• Ability to operate an emergency vehicle in a safe manner
• Ability to lift substantial weight.
• Ability to deal tactfully, courteously, and firmly with the general public.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee’s unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

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