Paramedic – Tiered Sign-on Bonus Up To $5,000

This position is eligible for a tiered sign-on bonus up to $5,000.

What You’ll Be Doing

Paramedics are the primary provider of prompt, compassionate and clinically excellent emergency medical care to the sick and injured residents of and visitors to Wake County. Paramedics are responsible for the operation of emergency vehicles, biomedical equipment and other equipment necessary to provide patient and situational assessment, treatment and transport in an emergency setting. Paramedics are required to effectively interact and communicate with individuals and groups of individuals from all education levels, cultural backgrounds, belief structures, and states of health. Paramedics are also responsible for performing routine cleaning and basic maintenance of equipment, facilities and vehicles. They will also participate in community outreach and public education opportunities. A successful candidate is someone with a high level of communication and problem-solving skills that either currently holds a North Carolina Paramedic certification or is eligible to receive a North Carolina paramedic certification. This candidate is expected to understand scene management and be able to effectively operate within an Incident Command System. The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the ability to calmly and effectively work in high stress and emotionally charged situations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understand and practice our mission statement of Prompt, Compassionate and Clinically Excellent Care
• Perform advanced life support skills utilizing liberal standing order protocols to guide patient care
• Provide comfort and compassion to patients and family
• Interview and assess patients to identify chief complaint(s) or issues, obtain relevant information from the patient, their family or care taker(s), bystanders/citizens, or other sources and identify alternative solutions if necessary
• Lift and carry equipment, stretchers and patients to facilitate response to and transport of patients
• Safely and respectfully operate an emergency vehicle
• Respond to requests for service whenever and wherever needed to include all times of day and all types of weather
• Complete documentation through patient care reporting systems, electronic and paper based logs, reporting software and databases
• Effectively and efficiently utilize technology such as in-vehicle navigation, laptop computers, biomedical equipment, computer aided dispatch, online education portals, high-fidelity simulators, etc.
• Maintain cleanliness of equipment, vehicles and facilities
• Decontaminate and disinfect equipment and vehicles as needed
• Regularly inventory and restock equipment and vehicles
• Effectively and respectfully communicate through written, oral and visual means with all individuals and groups of individuals
• Effectively work while wearing a variety of different personal protective equipment to include turnout gear, chemical protective clothing and respiratory protection
• Effectively work as an individual and as a member of a team
• Regularly attend and participate in training

Other Responsibilities Include:

• Participate in community outreach and public education events
• Participate in various department specific committees regarding decisions on protocols, equipment, vehicles, uniforms, etc.
• Precept students from paramedic programs locally and nationwide on their clinical rotations

PLEASE NOTE: A criminal background and driving record check will be conducted, and pre-employment drug test is required.

Hazmat Gear Requirements: Due to the unpredictability of the hazards encountered in the course of work, the applicant must be able to successfully fit test in, wear and perform essential job functions in respiratory personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, NIOSH-certified N95/P100 air-purifying respirators and a full-face tight-fitting respirator with the appropriate air-purifying cartridge. Applicant must also be able to wear and perform essential job functions in Level C personal protective equipment (Full Tyvek suit, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant boots.)

Physical Requirements: During the first week of the Wake County EMS New Hire Academy, Paramedic, AEMT and EMT Recruits must demonstrate a minimum level of physical ability and fitness by successfully completing the Wake County EMS Physical Ability Test (EMS-PAT). Incumbent employees, in any position which have field response as part of their job duties, must successfully complete the EMS-PAT annually. The purpose of this physical test is to simulate and evaluate an employee’s ability to perform the minimum physical requirements of the job. The test is performed solo (i.e., tasks that would traditionally require two employees have been modified so they can be completed by one employee), the events are performed continuously and there is a time limit of 7 minutes and 5 seconds. The events in the test consist of unbuckling a seatbelt and exiting a vehicle from the driver’s seat; stretcher lift simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); stretcher movement with equipment 100ft (50ft down and 50ft back) over curb stops bolt to the floor; stretcher stair carry simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); equipment lift and place; equipment movement/transfer (which includes kneeling 8 times); patient drag (using a 150-lb manikin strapped to a backboard) a total of 100ft; chest compressions (2 minutes of chest compressions at a rate of 120 a minute); repeat stretcher movement; climbing into the back of ambulance through side door. 

Applications accepted at this time (9/10/2024 through 1/5/2025) are for the Wake County EMS Winter 2024-25 Assessment Center. The assessment center will be conducted remotely and will consist of both online tests and a virtual interview. We will have multiple offerings of the testing and interview components throughout the months of September, October, November, and December 2024, as well as the beginning to middle of January 2025. As applications are processed through the Wake County Human Resources department, we will reach out via email to invite applicants to attend the assessment center.

All new Wake County EMS employees are required to attend a paid academy and field training program as a condition of their employment. The first few weeks of employment will be a Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm schedule primarily consisting of classroom-based lecture and skill orientation. The next few weeks will be spent in both the classroom and ambulance (field training) setting. For the remaining months of the field training program employees will be assigned to a regular shift. Those offered employment from the WCEMS Winter 2024-25 Assessment Center will begin employment in March 2025 as recruits in the WCEMS Academy 45.

About Our Team

Wake County EMS is a cutting-edge emergency medical services system that is responsible for providing EMS services throughout Wake County including within each of the county’s 12 local municipalities. We have well-developed mobile integrated health (community paramedicine) and research programs. We responded to over 130,000 requests for 911 EMS services in 2023. We greatly value the enrichment we receive through diversity in our staff, and we are continuously working to enhance that diversity and create spaces where all employees can thrive.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• High school diploma or GED
• No specific experience required
• Valid Driver’s License and “safe” driving record
• Certification as a North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMTP) or eligibility for such certification
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

How Will We Know You’re ‘The One’?

• Ability to firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles
• Ability to work calmly and effectively in high stress situations and fast-paced environments
• Ability to function in a physically demanding environment, requiring strength, flexibility and endurance
• Ability to confidently assess dynamic situations, incorporate available facts, opinions, tangible and/or intangible factors, choose an appropriate course of action and proactively adjust course of action as each situation evolves
• Ability to quickly develop relationships with patients and their families/caretakers by listening to and understanding identified medical complaints/needs and responding appropriately with clear, concise information
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to actively participate as a member of a team, to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with coworkers, fellow responders, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers
• Ability to confer with others to explore alternatives and reach resolutions or an outcome acceptable to all parties
• Ability to maintain conditions that ensure a healthy and safe working environment
• Ability to understand the impact and implications of decisions on the community and other departments

About This Position

Location: John H. Baker, Jr. Public Safety Center Raleigh, NC 27601

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Rotating 12-hour shifts

Hiring Range: 29.62 – 38.51

Market Range: 29.62 – 47.39

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 1/5/2025

What Makes Wake Great

Equal Opportunity Statement

Background Check Statement

Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

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