Transport Paramedic ERT

Summary

Reports to the Manager/Director of Transport. Under the supervision of the Medical Director, performs paramedic procedures approved by the Advanced Life Support Committee and serves as a member of the Beacon Health System Transport Team.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Performs paramedic procedures approved by the Advance Life Support Committee:

• Functions as a member of the Beacon Health System Transport Team, management of patients with the following conditions, including (but not limited to): obstructed airways, asthma, pulmonary diseases, diabetic emergencies, major trauma, meningitis, infectious diseases, dehydration, and respiratory distress, near drowning, asphyxia, poisoning, cardiac diseases and RSV/pneumonia.
• Applies in-depth knowledge base in emergency, critical care and clinical skills to perform patient assessment and stabilization.
• Collaborates with other associates to formulate a plan of care related to identifiable patient problems and desired outcomes of transport, as well as potential emergency situations.
• Establishes and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment in which to provide optimum care and transport. Strives to anticipate and appropriately manage risks.
• Operates two way radio transmission in ambulance and GPS mapping system.
• Maintains current contact numbers, door codes and updated routes to floors at referral hospitals. Updates printed maps to referral locations in driver’s map book.
• Administers oxygen as needed utilizing various equipment appropriate to the age, size and medical condition of the patient.
• Performs endotracheal, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal suctioning.
• Monitors and documents the patient’s status including assessment, vital signs, hydration status, intravenous fluids, level of consciousness, relevant patient history, changes in conditions, care provided, responses to care and other important clinical parameters on the medical record.
• Initiates peripheral intravenous access (IV), and intraosseous access also administering IV fluids as directed.
• Obtains laboratory samples and completes point of care testing.
• Performs CPR, intubation, cardioversion, defibrillation and relief of tension pneumothorax for patients.
• Administers medications approved by the St. Joseph County EMS guidelines.
• Provides, within the bounds of privacy policies and HIPPA, follow up to requesting agencies regarding patient status.
• Evaluates new equipment and provides input.
• Participates in the daily inspection, care and maintenance of equipment and ambulance, including restocking, checking expiration dates, ordering supplies, cleaning, and arranging for the repair of all damaged equipment to ensure safety of team, patients, family and public.
• Beacon Health System Transport Team Paramedic may be assigned to any specialty team on an as needed basis. The Paramedic will complete and maintain training and certifications required by the Medical Director including but not limited to: ACLS; BLS; PALS; NRP; PHTLS; S.T.A.B.L.E. These courses will be available within Beacon Health System.
• Documents care, assessment, and treatment throughout transport.
• Maintains forms and daily logs for equipment and daily checks.

Maintains specific departmental requirements:

• Completes skills validations as required for the Beacon Health System Transport team.
• Maintains active certification as a Paramedic in the state of Indiana and Michigan.
• Completes and maintains Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) certification.
• Completes competencies, safety education, CBL’s (Computer Based Learning) and other mandatory educational sessions as directed by the Program Director, Operations Manager, Educator or Medical Director.
• Works closely with members of the Beacon Health System Transport Team, physicians, other Beacon staff and personnel from other hospitals and facilitates to provide high-quality patient care.
• Exhibits guest relation skills with the referral hospitals/staff, physicians and family members that support the professional, competent and compassionate image of the Beacon Health System Transport Team.

Shift Charge Assignment:

• Field supervisory role under the direction of Manager/Director.
• Works as liaison with Medical Staff of referral facilities.
• Assess and make changes if needed to staffing for most effective coverage to complete transports.
• Collaborates with Dispatch Center to establish the most effective process to complete transport request.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Assists with patient care including feeding/bathing of patient, intubation and re-taping of endotrachial tubes, chest tube and/or central line placements. Also assists with sedations and other procedures as requested by nurse or physician.
• Provides support for traumas and codes as needed in other departments.
• Transports patients to other departments in the hospital.
• Completes other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon’s six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of the Indiana or State EMS-approved paramedic course, which meets the St. Joseph County EMS guidelines. Current unrestricted Indiana or Michigan Paramedic license and current or previous National Registry to apply. One year of previous experience as a Paramedic is preferred. Must obtain and maintain both Indiana and Michigan Paramedic licenses. Must obtain Critical Care Paramedic (CC-P) or Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) within two years of hire date.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of ambulance and transport equipment, including the analytical skills needed to modify equipment to meet individual patient needs.
• Demonstrates base knowledge, transport protocol competencies, and critical thinking skills in the care and decision making for transported patients.
• Requires meticulous adherence to sterile techniques and universal precautions.
• Demonstrates the guest relations and interpersonal skills necessary to interact tactfully and effectively with physicians, nursing staff, other EMS personnel, respiratory therapists, patients, family members and personnel from other hospitals and agencies.
• Demonstrates the communication skills (both verbal and written) necessary to communicate in a clear and concise manner and report appropriate information needed by other associates.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities, organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently; also demonstrates the ability to set priorities and accomplish goals.
• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in stressful situations with critically-ill patients, in close proximity with a small group of staff and maintain effective team-oriented behaviors.
• Demonstrates proficiency in computer skills (i.e., data entry, word processing and spreadsheets).
• Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and transport.

Working Conditions

• Works in the mobile transport ambulance, hospitals and clinics. Also operates patient-related equipment.
• Works in a patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities and possible exposure to bio-hazards.
• Requires mental strength and emotional stability during potentially emotionally volatile situations, including patient death and family needs.
• Work hours may vary to meet the scheduling needs of the department. Ability to work 12 hour shifts, including rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and on call.
• Requires the ability to arrive at Memorial Hospital South Bend within 30 minutes of receiving notification of patient transport.
• Works in an environment where the consequence of errors in performance may result in patient injury or sentinel event with hospital risk and financial loss.
• Must be able to report to work location within 30 minutes when on call.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) in a small confined mobile environment to perform the essential functions of the position. Also demonstrates the manual dexterity to work with hands and arms when performing daily duties and the visual and auditory acuity to read cardiac monitors, equipment and perform patient assessments and treatments.

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