Community EMT / Community Paramedic

City of Bloomington, IN; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bloomington, IN seeks to hire a Mobile Integrated Health EMT to provide direct care and social support to community members before, during, and after 911 encounters. The role integrates EMS with MIHP to improve patient outcomes in out-of-hospital settings.

Responsibilities include patient assessments, care coordination, enrolling clients in social services, and follow-up visits, with emphasis on mental health screening and adherence to protocols. Valid Indiana EMT and CPR certs required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in emergency medicine, healthcare, public health, social work, or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Current National Registry or Indiana State EMT certification and CPR certification.
• Mental health first aid or higher EMS certifications preferred.
• One year experience as an EMT, public health, EMS, health screenings, case worker, social worker, or other health-related field.
• Prior experience with community paramedicine or MIH preferred.
• Formal training in public health, social work, or the State required 40-hour MIH training preferred.
• Valid Indiana driver’s license with emergency vehicle operation training within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides emergency medical care at EMT level including patient assessments, post-acute follow-up, and vaccination administration as allowed by medical control.
• Contacts and helps patients enroll in social service programs to close gaps in care.
• Schedules and visits patients to complete social ecological assessments and follow-up.
• Responds to low acuity/non-emergent requests as needed.
• Interacts with ED staff, Care Management, and other emergency service providers to coordinate care.
• Analyzes historic emergency calls to identify patients needing outreach.
• Completes required training and reports findings.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and makes recommendations to improve service delivery.

Skills

EMT skills

Patient assessment

Care coordination

Social services referrals

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree in emergency medicine/health/public health/social work

Job description

Provides direct support to community members before, during, and after 911 emergency service interactions to facilitate continuity of care and improve patient outcomes. Core member of the Mobile Integrated Health Program (MIHP) and works collaboratively with multiple Monroe County health & human service providers to address the issues of complex patients who receive 911 emergency care and/or use the Emergency Department (ED). The program uses mobile resources to deliver care and services to patients in an out-of-hospital environment in coordination with healthcare facilities or other healthcare providers.

This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

Primary

• Provides emergency medical care at an Emergency Medical Technician level to include patient assessments, post-acute care follow-up and treatment compliance, screen patients for depression and substance use disorders, perform outpatient medication reconciliation, and administer vaccinations and other basic procedures as allowed by medical control.
• Contacts and helps patients enroll in various social service programs as necessary to help patients close the gaps in care.
• Schedules and visits patients to complete social ecological assessments and follow up of patients as assigned.
• Responds to low acuity / non-emergent requests as available for other issues that do not need a 911 response.
• Interacts with other emergency service providers, ED staff and Care Management teams as necessary to coordinate care for patients.
• Analyzes historic emergency calls for service to identify patients requiring outreach services.
• Completes all training required in the time frames established, document and report all findings as requested.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and makes recommendations to improve the service delivery.

Secondary

• Attends meetings with various internal and external community stakeholders.
• Check Medicaid / Medicare eligibility / recertification, assists patients with the process to obtain / maintain coverage.
• Responds on an as-available, as-needed basis to 9-1-1 emergency calls as dispatched by the Monroe County Central Dispatch Center.
• Responds as available, as needed to non-emergency calls (lift assists of up to 200 pounds with assistance) during normal working hours as dispatched by the Monroe County Central Dispatch Center.
• Occasionally travels to conferences or other training events.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Associate’s degree in emergency medicine, healthcare, public health, social working, or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

Must possess a current National Registry or Indiana State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and CPR certification;

additional preference will be given to those with mental health first aid or professional EMS certifications above EMT or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

One-year experience as an EMT, public health, Emergency Medical System (EMS), health screenings, case worker, social worker, advocate, or other health related field;

additional preference will be given to those with prior experience working with a community paramedicine or MIH preferred.

Strong preference will be given to those with formal training in public health, social working, or the State required 40-hour MIH training.

Currently have or be able to obtain a valid Indiana driver's license with emergency vehicle operation training within 30 days of employment.

Difficulty of Work

Ability to sit, stand, walk for moderate periods of time. Occasionally may be required to do medium and/or heavy level work to include but not limited to climbing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting up to 40 pounds unassisted or at least 200 pounds with assistance (as necessary for patient care / transport preparation). Must be able to work in all weather conditions and handle exposure to unpleasant conditions found at a patient location. May occasionally be exposed to loud noise (sirens) and flashing strobes (emergency vehicle lights). The majority of duties will occur outside of a City facility but occasional office related work will be required. Individuals performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood, oropharyngeal secretions, and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment including N-95 or greater respirators, face shields, gowns, and other devices. Ability to quickly learn and adapt to updated medical protocols. Given proper data sets can analyze and provide actionable intelligence to guide program development.

A high level of initiative and interpersonal skills are required. Must be able to make quick decisions with significant consequences if the incumbent makes a poor decision. Should be able to function well working in a high stress situation.

Generally, will work a flexible 40 hour per week schedule; may include scheduled shifts ending at 8 pm. With proper notice and coordination, incumbents may occasionally be required to work on weekends, nights, holidays, or be allowed telework opportunities.

Personal Work Relationships

Must have well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to maintain professionalism and composure when working with noncompliant and potentially mentally unstable patients.

Excellent communication and organizational skills will help operating within a team environment.

Should be able to interact with senior management, healthcare professionals, and other internal/ external stakeholders to coordinate continuity of patient care.

Strong professional ethics and ability to quickly react to changing situations to preserve the safety the incumbent, other responders, and the public.