Sergeant Paramedic – Emergency Medical Services

Major Functions

The County of Volusia is seeking a Sergeant Paramedic for the Emergency Medical Services Division. This position provides field oversight of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics as well as pre-hospital basic and advanced life support care and transport for the ill or injured.

Illustrative Duties

(NOTE: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. Duties not listed below may be included if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Responsible for efficient operation in assigned area.
• Provide direction and assistance to the Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians.
• May assign task to designated subordinate staff.
• Provides communications flow between supervisor and subordinate staff.
• Perform assessment and treatment consistent with United States Department of Transportation
• National Standard Curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician- Basic and Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic pursuant to and in accordance with standing orders promulgated by the EMS medical director or his or her designee.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment utilized for pre-hospital assessment and care.
• Safely operates vehicles in accordance with state law and prevailing standards.
• Acquire, manage, and protect privileged health information in accordance with federal and state laws, and county policies.
• Perform timely medical and billing documentation accurately and comprehensibly to ensure completion of the record of patient care and, when present, provide evidence of medical necessity for purposes of billing.
• Prepare and complete other reports and documents as necessary (e.g., controlled substance accountability logs, etc.)
• Maintain all credentials required by the state and the EMS medical director.
• Testifies in court (e.g., homicide trail, DUI, chain of custody), and gives dispositions.
• May provide clinical oversight and written evaluations for students from affiliated emergency medical service training programs.
• Cooperatively interacts with patients, coworkers, peers, other health care providers, and the public.
• Provides support and assistance to the Lieutenant Paramedic.
• Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
• Must adhere to Federal, State and County and Local ordinances. 
• May be assigned to other locations based upon operational needs.
• Responds to emergency situations. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Graduation from high school or completion of a GED. Must have two years of experience as a paramedic for a 9-1-1 transport-based system or a combination of two years’ experience as a lead EMT or Paramedic with Volusia County EMS;

Must currently possess and retain:

• A Valid class E Florida drivers’ license within 30 days of hire.
• A Florida paramedic certification.
• A certificate indicating completion of a sixteen-hour emergency vehicle operations course, or equivalent, which meets or exceeds the requirements of the state within 30 days of hire.
• A valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation credential (must include adult, child, and infant), as permitted by the Florida Department of Health.
• A valid advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) credential, as permitted by the Florida Department of Health.
• An American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) provider card or American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Basic Life Support (ARC CPR BLS) card.
• An American Heart Association Basic Trauma Life Support Prehospital Trauma Life Support (BTLS/PHTLS) within one (1) year of hire.
• A Pediatric Education for Prehospital Provider (PEPP) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within one (l ) year of hire.
• Internal candidates must be approved by the Volusia County E.M.S. Medical Director to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician -Paramedic (EMT-P) at the date of promotion. External candidates will have ninety (90) days to receive clearance to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician -Paramedic (EMT-P).
• FEMA ICS-100 certification 
• FEMA ICS-200 certification
• FEMA ICS-700 certification

NOTE: *THE FOLLOWING MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR APPLICATION*

• State of Florida Paramedic Certification 
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider Card 
• American Heart Association Advanced Life Support Provider Card 
• American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider Card
• NAEMT Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Provider Card 
• FEMA ICS-100 certification
• FEMA ICS-200 certification 
• FEMA ICS-700 certification
• Drivers’ License 

The preferred candidate, having met the minimum qualifications will be a cleared paramedic in Volusia County that through their work experience can verify they have a minimum of one (1) year EMS transport experience through Volusia County EMS or another 9-1-1 transport agency operating under the Volusia County Medical Director. Additionally, the preferred candidate shall be able to demonstrate they are in possession of an Associate’s degree (or higher) or that they are working towards their Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution. If selected, the candidate will be required to possess an Associate’s Degree within thirty-six (36) months of appointment.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment will be contingent upon the candidate successfully passing a pre-employment background check.

Must successfully complete the division’s physical assessment prior to hire or promotion and if hired, continue to successfully complete the assessment on an annual basis.

Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record.

Must not be excluded from participating as a health care provider in insurance programs including, but not limited to, Medicare and Medicaid prior to and during employment at the County of Volusia.

Note: All employees covered hereunder shall be non-tobacco users and nicotine free at the time of hire as a condition of employment and shall be required, as an absolute condition of continued employment, to refrain from smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or use of any type of tobacco products of any kind at all times, whether on or off duty.

• In keeping with Division 7, Section 86-263 (2) of the County of Volusia Merit System Rules and Regulations (MSRR), selection will be based upon the “Rule of Five.”***

SELECTION PROCESS:

There will be a two (2) phase selection process, which is listed below:

Phase I: Written Exam Each candidate will be given an identical written exam that will be based on current EMS Division Guidelines. Test questions could consist of multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank. The test will consist of fifty (50) questions and each candidate will be given 90 minutes to complete the exam.

A minimum score of 70% is required on the exam in order to be eligible to PASS.

Candidates who are determined to be eligible and are referred over to the EMS Division will receive an email with the current EMS Division Guidelines and study material. This material will be sent to the email submitted on the application.

Phase II: Structured Interview Candidates who successfully pass Phase I will be invited to a structured interview. The interview panel will be the same for all candidates and the candidates will be asked identical questions. 

After completion of Phase II, the interview scores will be tabulated and averaged from the interview panel and candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest. Candidates must score an overall “average” score to be placed on eligible list. 

GENERAL INFORMATION/CAUTIONS:

Online Application: All applicants must submit a “complete” up-to-date online Volusia County application to the County’s Human Resources Division on or before the closing date. The online applications are available on the Volusia County Website. 

Application Instructions: 

• Candidates must indicate separately, each position (special assignment should be included in the position the pay was received in) they have held with the appropriate duties and time periods in the work history section of the application. Applications that combine all positions held in the organization into one will be considered incomplete. 
• Candidates that do not fully describe the duties in the work history section; will also be considered to have submitted an incomplete application. Examples include “see resume,” “served as paramedic,” “have been with the organization for x years,” etc. 
• Applications that do not fully comply with the instructions contained herein and on the application, may cause the application to be rejected, and be declared ineligible for further promotional consideration. 
• Only those applicants referred to the Volusia County EMS Division by the Volusia County Human Resources Division will be determined eligible for promotional consideration.

Special Accommodations: Any applicant who has or may have a conflict, or may need special assistance must contact Chandra Gordon at (386)736-5951 on or before the closing date of the job advertisement posted. 

Tobacco Policy: It is this organization’s policy that individuals hired into special risk positions may not use any form of tobacco at any time, whether on or off duty, as a condition of employment. Candidates must be nicotine-free by the time of pre-employment physical/drug exam, including nicotine-containing products used in tobacco replacement therapies.

Probationary Period: In keeping with the County of Volusia Merit System Rules and Regulations (MSRR), Division 9, Probationary Period, Sections 86-332 and 86-333. The selected candidate(s) will serve a one (1) year probationary period.

Dishonesty Statement: Providing false information or documentation at any time during the application and/or promotional process will result in an automatic disqualification.

Veterans Preference: Preference will be given for promotional consideration, under provisions set forth by the Florida Administrative Code Rule, Chapter 55a – 7; and Florida Statutes 295.07 et seq.

Any applicant who may need special assistance must contact Chandra Gordon in Human Resources at (386) 736-5951 extension 12607, on or before the closing date as posted on November 8th, 2024.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage an emergency scene.
• Demonstrate diplomacy and tact when dealing with complaints. 
• Ability to effectively and tactfully communicate, both written and orally 
• Ability to understand written and verbal orders and implement appropriately. 
• Knowledge of federal and Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency calls. 
• Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving regulations. 
• Skilled in the defensive driving of an emergency transport vehicle. 
• Skilled in electronic patient care reporting, electrocardiogram transmission, wired and wireless computer networks, two-way radios, and cellular devices. 
• Skilled in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of all equipment utilized for pre-hospital assessment and care. 
• Skilled in the operation of vehicles in accordance with state law and prevailing standards. 
• The sergeant paramedic has an inferred fiduciary responsibility as it relates to a patient’s needs for emergency medical care, medical transport, and the perceived need to access social services. 

ADA REQUIREMENTS

Physical demands: Heavy to very heavy work. Lifting in excess of 100 pounds, prolonged sitting, standing, balancing, bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, finger dexterity, kneeling, reaching, walking, traversing uneven ground, hearing, smelling, and visual acuity of depth perception, peripheral vision, and clarity in daytime and nighttime conditions to allow for driving and other activities associated with pre-hospital medical care.

Environmental demands: Ability to tolerate prolonged periods in indoor and outdoor environments including, but not limited to, excessive cold, excessive heat, inclement weather, humidity, rain, wind, vibration, noise, water exposure, fumes/odors, physical hazards, and potential for exposure to blood/bodily secretions and pathogens.

Mental demands: Ability to appropriately and professionally interact with ill and injured persons. Ability to work under stressful situations. Read and comprehend instructions, letters, journals, maps, and physician instruction. Write complex sentences and reports. Verbally relay information to others and speak extemporaneously. Perform advanced mathematical calculations pertinent to job performance.

Volusia County is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. Veterans’ preference in accordance with federal, state, local laws. 

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

HEALTH INSURANCE

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account

RETIREMENT

• Florida Retirement System (FRS)
• Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
• Deferred Compensation (475 Plan)

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE

• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance

PAID TIME OFF

• Personal Leave
• Holidays
• Bereavement
• Military

HOLIDAYS

The County of Volusia observes the following holidays annually:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving (and day after)
• Christmas

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Onsite Wellness/Fitness Center
• Computer Purchase Program
• Direct Deposit Payroll

Temporary and intermittent employees are not paid for holidays and are not eligible for benefits.

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