COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC

Clear Creek County; Dumont (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A county health department in Colorado seeks a Community Paramedic to support vulnerable populations. The role involves in-home visits, coordinating medical needs, and collaborating with law enforcement during mental health emergencies. Candidates must possess a valid Paramedic License and a Community Paramedic endorsement. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to respond to crisis situations. Flexible and on-call hours may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Must possess valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Experience in crisis intervention is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular in-home visits to improve client health outcomes.
• Coordinate and manage medical needs of clients.
• Accompany co-responder clinicians on emergency calls.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.

Skills

Knowledge of community resources

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Ability to assess crisis situations

Knowledge of trauma informed principles

Ability to work flexible hours

Education

Current Paramedic Licensure

Community Paramedic endorsement

Job description

The Clear Creek Health Assistance Team (CCHAT) is Clear Creek County's Alternate and Co-responder program serving vulnerable populations throughout the county. Staffed with Mental Health Co-responder Clinicians and Community Paramedics, the team has three functions: 1 - Provide alternate response (without other emergency service providers) to appropriately screened 911 calls offering trauma-informed, client-centered responses to individuals in crisis. 2 - Partner with three Law Enforcement (LE) agencies throughout the county to provide co-response to calls for service that require LE presence and have a mental health or other crisis-related component. 3 - Through a Community Integrated Health Care Services license (CIHCS), bridge gaps in access to healthcare and address the non-medical factors that affect a person's health and safety for medically fragile vulnerable populations. In all functions, the team provides follow-up, care coordination, and resource navigation to help reduce or eliminate further contacts with emergency services.

The community paramedic is experienced, self-motivated, patient, creative, and adaptable to provide unique solutions to each client. The community paramedic thinks critically, demonstrates safety, and possesses excellent communication skills.

PRINCIPLE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts regular in-home visits to vulnerable populations to progress goals established with client to improve quality of life and health outcomes; collaborates care with service providers.
• Coordinate medical needs of clients with service providers; assists with medication compliance when needed.
• Provide health assessments, health education, and home safety assessments to CIHCS clients with the aim to support independent living; Coordinate non-medical needs and resource navigation based on the social determinants of health assessment.
• Respond to referrals from EMS/Fire/LE/Community Partners via phone and/or in person; Enroll appropriate clients in CIHCS services for ongoing care.
• Accompany co-responder clinicians in response to mental and behavioral health-related 911 calls to provide crisis de-escalation, on-scene risk, and needs assessments to identify the problems and appropriate interventions such as mental health holds, safety planning, and immediate resource navigation.
• Collaborate with on-scene personnel to identify the best disposition for a call while advocating for the client's physical, mental, and behavioral health needs.
• Assist in developing/maintaining community partnerships by attending community meetings, events, etc.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records consistent with standards.
• Participate in team/department meetings and trainings.
• Maintain trauma informed environment of wellbeing
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Current Paramedic Licensure
• Community Paramedic endorsement with the state of Colorado within 90 days of hire

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of the scope of practice and role of a Community Paramedic per the state of Colorado
• Knowledge or ability to learn and practice trauma informed principles and practices.
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to assess crisis situations and intervene appropriately.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work flexible and on-call hours which may be required
• Must have valid driver's license and good driving record

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Typical Physical Demands: Ability to sit, stand, bend and reach, drive, operate standard office equipment such as a phone, computer, facsimile, copier/printer, and other business machines. Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.

Typical Mental Demands: Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans. Must understand people from all walks of life and be able to communicate effectively with them.

Work Conditions: This position may require evening and weekend hours. Some local travel for prescheduled visits as well as Safe Transport to local Detox/Mental Health facilities. Will ride with a Licensed Crisis Clinician working with Clear Creek EMS in response to mental health related calls and CIHCS visits. Due to the nature of 911 response, this position will be considered an essential service and require travel and response in inclement weather conditions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).