Fire Rescue Paramedic

Polk County BoCC; Florida; On-site; USD 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Paid Holidays

FRS Retirement (Special Risk)

Tuition Reimbursement

Education Incentives

Deferred Compensation

Wellness Incentives

EAP

Free Employee Gym

Free Employee Health Clinic

Job summary

Polk County BoCC invites applications for a Paramedic in the Fire Rescue Division. The role covers out-of-hospital life support, advanced medical procedures, and support for fire service personnel at scenes, with a focus on safety and patient care.

The position includes 24-hour shifts, a step-based pay structure, health benefits, and a pension plan for special risk. It requires Florida Paramedic certification and a valid driver’s license, with emphasis on protocol adherence and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited high school or equivalent and must possess a valid Paramedic certification.
• Must be at least 18 years old and meet Florida Statute 401.281 driving requirements.
• Must possess valid Florida Paramedic certification and FD Health license.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and applicable NIMS certifications.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls and drive an ambulance safely.
• Administer out-of-hospital emergency care and advanced life support per protocol.
• Maintain supplies and equipment; complete required reports and protect patient confidentiality.
• Train regularly and maintain readiness for extended shifts and physical demands.

Skills

Emergency medical care

Defibrillation

Medical protocol adherence

Ambulance operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Florida Paramedic certification

Valid Florida driver’s license

NIMS ICS-100

NIMS ICS-200

NIMS IS-700

NIMS IS-800

Job description

Job Description

PARAMEDIC

(Fire Rescue Division)

Pay Grade: Z19

Salary range $63,571.20 - $75,611.20 /year (includes normal scheduled overtime & holiday pay)

Additional salary steps based on years of experience - 1 additional Step for each year up to Step 5.

(Polk County Fire Rescue salary steps range from 0-12)

Health Benefits Package, Paid Holidays, FRS Pension Plan for Special Risk

24-hour shifts

1 shift on, 2 shifts off rotation

Employee Benefits

• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement (Special Risk)
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic

Please take a moment to enjoy this short video about Polk County Fire Rescue.

• This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement ***
• This position may require a physical ability/agility test**

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated. The job description herein provides for the range of duties to be performed for this position. It is not intended to reflect all duties that are required within this position.

MAJOR FUNCTION

Paraprofessional work in rendering out of hospital life support functions, other emergency care and rescue services, including support and backup of fire service personnel at fire scenes, accidents and natural disasters. Duties include the operation and maintenance of the ambulance.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Responds promptly to all non-emergency and emergency calls, including all fire calls involving structures and/or danger to life. Drives ambulance with due regard for the safety of all persons at all times. Assists in extricating trapped victims and transports sick and injured persons to treatment centers. Must adhere to physician’s instructions, protocol, and standing orders. Observes, records, and reports to physicians the patient's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments and significant incidents. When responding to an emergency call or while transporting a patient, driver may exercise the privilege set forth in chapter 316.051 (5) F.S.

Secures patient from movement during ambulance trip and drives with due caution to avoid any unnecessary cause of motions that may be detrimental to the patient. Administers out of hospital emergency, fire rescue, medical care services, and advanced life support. Under supervision of Fire Rescue Medical Director or a physician, performs the following by protocol and standing orders: defibrillate a pulse less non-breathing patient, administers intravenous electrolyte or glucose solutions, surgical cricothyrotomy on adult complete airway obstruction, needle cricothyrotomy on pediatric complete airway obstruction, intraosseous infusion on the pediatric arrest/trauma alert patient, performs gastric/tracheal suction by intubation, endotracheal intubation, administers injections, documents controlled substance use, and performs other procedures as allowed by emergency medical service rules and regulations and/or by the Fire Rescue Medical Director. Must comply with the Polk County Fire Rescue Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.

Operates radio communications with Dispatch, other field personnel, hospital, etc. Prepares and completes required reports keeping information regarding patients confidential. Maintains and ensures that all supplies are available in sufficient quantities as required to operate an emergency ambulance and that all equipment is operational.

Although emergency rescue work, including the administration of emergency medical treatment, is the most difficult and responsible area of activity, a major portion of time is spent on training, studying methods, techniques and organization of pre-hospital care services and on routine duties in the care and maintenance of Fire Rescue Division property and equipment.

Work involves an element of personal danger and requires working on extended shifts. Participates in the on-duty company physical fitness program. Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities And Skills

Knowledge of emergency care procedures, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of life sustaining equipment and practices. Knowledge of conducive safety, comfort matters and methods in the handling and treatment of patients. Knowledge of Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency calls. Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving regulations. Knowledge of and skill in defensive driving methods. Ability to become familiar with the roadway/highway systems within Polk County. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must be able to read, write clearly using rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Must be able to speak the English language in an understandable manner. Must be able to compute portions, ratios, percentages, calculate surfaces, volumes, weights, and measures. Ability to work as a team player. Ability to support and back up fire service personnel. Ability to make sound judgments.

Using proper body mechanics, ability to lift and carry one end of a stretcher holding patients weighing an average of 150 pounds frequently, with an upward range of 300 pounds infrequently not including the weight of the stretcher. Ability to exert an excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for heavy work. Ability to adhere to physician instructions, protocol, and standing orders. Ability to physically and mentally perform a variety of various emergency duties under extreme conditions. Ability to distinguish colors. Ability and skill to perform minor maintenance repairs on an ambulance.

Knowledge of all pieces of patient care equipment and vehicle operation. Ability to relate use and care of such equipment. Ability to learn and follow the current Fire Rescue Practice Parameters for patient care, as well as all Fire Rescue policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and possess a valid certification card as a Paramedic issued by the State of Florida Department of Health and must possess the following requirements:

• Is at least 18 years of age.
• Meets the requirements in Florida Statute 401.281 as this position may be required to drive an advanced life support vehicle in the event of an emergency.
• Meet the following driving history requirements:
• Have not accrued 12 points within 24 months or 18 points within 36 months.
• Have not been convicted on alcohol/drug related offenses within 36 months.
• Have not been convicted of two (2) alcohol/drug related offenses within 10 years.
• Have not had a suspension, revocation, or restriction due to moving violations or alcohol/drug related problem, including failure to take a breath test within the 36 months prior.
• Have not had two (2) failures to pay fines within 36 months.
• Have not had two (2) seatbelt violations within 36 months.
• Have not had three (3) lapses of insurance within 36 months.
• No serious traffic violations such as leaving the scene or driving on a suspended license within 36 months.
• Must provide proof of insurance when required to use their personal vehicle as part of their daily job duties.
• Possess a valid American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support provider or instructor card.
• Possess a valid American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support provider or instructor card.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
• Possess the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications:
• ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• ICS-200: ICs for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
• IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Certification by the Polk County Office of Medical Direction to function as a paramedic under the license of the Polk County Fire Rescue Medical Director

No comparable amount of training, certifications and/or experience may be substituted for the above minimum state qualifications unless such an accepted equivalent is approved by the Florida Department of Health.

Special Requirements

Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Employees hired into this position after January 1, 2013 must obtain and maintain this certification as a condition of employment.

Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure. Work requires lifting very heavy weight occasionally, heavy weight frequently and moderate weight constantly. Ability to cope with mental and emotional stresses of the job.

Medical Physical Ability Test (MPAT) with an exam date within one calendar year prior to start date.

Must have a telephone while employed with the Fire Rescue Division, as employee is subject to call in emergencies.

As of May 23, 2019, the Certificate of Compliance from the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Office is no longer required for this position. Those already contractually obligated must complete the terms of their contract.

Must keep certifications and licensure updated as required for employment.

SPECIAL PREFERENCES

Preference Will Be Given To The Following

• Candidates who currently work for a 911 ambulance service provider will be given 1 step for every year of experience/service up to Step 5.
• Candidates who have completed a two-year degree or higher.
• Valid International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) provider or instructor certification.
• Valid HandTevy or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider or instructor certification.
• Valid Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Certification card or an equivalent 16-hour course.
• 6.4.2023