Paramedic

Priority Dispatch Corp.; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Priority Dispatch Corp. is seeking a Paramedic to provide critical care for EMS situations. This full-time role involves advanced medical assessments and interventions while maintaining safety during operations. Applicants must possess state certification and demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills within a dynamic team environment. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Short & Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Career Development

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a field EMS provider preferred.
• Current driver license (minimum class C) required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced emergency medical care for critical patients.
• Maintain readiness through equipment checks and reporting deficiencies.
• Function as an engaged team member in both emergency and organizational settings.

Skills

Compassion

Critical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED required

Associate degree or greater preferred

Current Certification as a Pennsylvania State Paramedic

American Heart Association – BLS for Healthcare Providers

Advanced Cardiac Life Support credentialing

Pediatric Advanced Life Support credentialing

Job description

Job Details

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $25.75 - $33.60 Hourly

Job Shift: Any

Description

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:

The Paramedics primary responsibility is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. The Paramedic must possess the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. The Paramedic through recognized standards of care, continued education, system developed standard operating guidelines and compliance to medically sound policies and procedures, must be able to properly assess the scene, accurately interrogate and assess the patient, and provide the demanded standard of professional care. The Paramedic plays a pivotal role in providing comfort, aid, all levels of life support to all patients who require pre-hospital care. The Paramedic must acknowledge that no two patients are alike and some clinical presentations may not rise to the level of life saving intervention. It is the duty of the Paramedic to deploy compassion and empathy during all perceived emergencies and to provide thorough and complete care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

1. Maintain a constant state of readiness and fitness for duty. This included the completion of both vehicle and equipment inventories along with and operation check lists. When deficiencies are noted, the Paramedic will report those findings to management and will take an active role in mitigating or correcting said deficiency.
2. When assigned to a medical incident, the Paramedic may drive corporate vehicles to and from specified locations following instructions from the emergency medical dispatcher. While the vehicle is in use, the Paramedic will adhere to all applicable corporate safety standards and comply with all applicable traffic law to promote a culture of a safety.
3. Upon arrival to the scene of a medical event or emergency, The Paramedic will ensure a zone of safety within the working area. This includes but is not limited to securing the corporate vehicle in a safe manner and ensuring that the working environment is free obvious or perceived hazards. If possible, the Paramedic will attempt to safely mitigate any hazards presented, or at the very least, articulate said hazards to any and all parties responding to the same event to promote a culture of safety.
4. Upon engagement with a patient, the Paramedic will properly complete a thorough assessment of the patient’s clinical condition and when necessary, will deploy the prescribed treatment as defined by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS Statewide BLS or ALS Protocols. Additionally, the Paramedic will adhere to specific corporate clinical care expectations and function as an advocate for patient’s rights and their overall wellbeing. During the course of clinical care, the Paramedic shall demonstrate competency and proficiency with various type of medical equipment and shall utilize said equipment in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS: Scope of Practice for Emergency Medical Providers.
5. Following a clinical engagement, the Paramedic will provide a complete and thorough written and/or verbal report to the receiving facility/hospital or other care provider noting a patient’s clinical presentation, any treatment or intervention provided by the Paramedic, and any other pertinent information as deemed necessary to that specific encounter. Afterward, the Paramedic will complete any and all necessary documentation or electronic patient care report as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Bureau of EMS.
6. At the completion of a patient engagement, the Paramedic will ensure that their assigned equipment and/or vehicle is efficiently returned to a state of readiness. This includes the restocking of required equipment or supplies, the necessary cleaning and decontamination of reusable equipment, or by cleaning and decontaminating the assigned corporate vehicle.
7. Throughout the course of their duties, the Paramedic will function as an engaged team member within the organization. This is accomplished by the promotion of a positive attitude, the willingness to learn, and to openly communicate with both their peers and with management. Externally, the Paramedic will function as an engaged partner in public safety by coordinating with other emergency medical team members, fire department staff, and law enforcement when necessary.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB:

1. Attends meetings, training, and seminars as required.
2. Performs other duties as assigned and required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives occasional instruction and supervision from the Station Supervisor, District Chiefs and Administration.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

Provides occasion instruction to EMT crew member.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. May work indoors or outdoors in varying weather conditions.
2. Works within average exposures to noises and stress; subject to frequent disruption.
3. Normal exposure to dust/dirt.
4. Periodically works beyond normal work hours or on an as-needed basis.
5. Often work in cramped work spaces within vehicles or on accident scenes that require getting into physically demanding/awkward positions.
6. Regularly wear protective gear, such as goggles, masks, or respirators and gloves.
7. Are exposed to contaminants including blood borne pathogens on a daily basis.
8. Are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable on occasion.
9. May sometimes work in cold or hot temperatures, depending on the work locale.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The position requires significant physical strength and dexterity and the ability to function in very adverse environments with exposure to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes. The following guidelines are used to describe the frequency of activities in this position of a typical workday:

• Occasionally equals 1-33%
• Frequently equals 34-66%
• Continuously equals 67-100%

STANDING/WALKING:

Continuously. This usually includes: ambulating to and from the emergency vehicle, collecting patients from their locations, and rendering treatment. Most walking would be for short distances. However, the employee must also be able to run these same distances, in case of an emergency where time is of the essence. Walking and running may vary, however, as the patient may be located inside a large, multi-floored facility. Standing, walking and running could be on all types of surfaces, including but not limited to: asphalt, cement, concrete, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, hardwood floors, etc. The individual must be able to traverse slight inclines or declines that may be found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. At a location, standing would occur more often than walking or running. Standing would occur on the wide variety of surfaces mentioned above. Standing could last from a few minutes to hours, depending on the situation. Standing could occur in the standard erect position, the kneeling or squatting position, etc.

SITTING:

Frequently. When responding to a location, the individual will sit in the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicles are equipped with a standard installed vehicle seat. The time performing the sitting activity on a call would depend upon the specific situation. Frequently in station, as the facility is equipped with a small lounge area that is furnished. Employee must be able to sit at a computer to complete trip sheets. Desk chairs are provided.

LIFTING AND CARRYING:

Frequently. Required to lift and carry weights ranging from a few pounds to ten pounds and above. Occasionally required to lift and carry weights in excess of 100 pounds or more. Employees will need to lift and carry with the assistance of one team member adult patients, lifting them from various positions (such as a bed or a chair) onto various patient movement devices, such as an ambulance stretcher, a stair chair, long back boards, etc., and then efficiently move them into an ambulance. Other heavier objects in the high range category may include 5-foot tall, 10 inch diameter oxygen cylinders, and similar medical equipment. The oxygen cylinders can be made of quarter-inch steel and weigh up to 120 pounds. The medical equipment containers can weigh approximately fifty pounds or more.

BENDING AND STOOPING:

Frequently. Throughout a work shift the individual will be required to bend in a range of 1 to 90 degrees. The average situation will require the individual to work in a range of 35 to 65 degree bends. This would involve: lifting a patient, lifting equipment, treating a patient at ground level, sitting on a bench located in the ambulance. This activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more. During any given call, the provider may bend and/or stoop any number of times per incident.

CROUCHING AND KNEELING:

Frequently. Crouching and kneeling may be performed when on the scene, picking up equipment or assisting patients. The actual number of times this is done depends on the particular incident.

CLIMBING:

Occasionally. This is required to ascend and descend stairs or steps, while carrying equipment or a patient secured to an extrication device, and when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle. Generally, the climbing would require that the employee be lifting and carrying heavy objects such as a patient extrication device. Balancing may be required when backing down staircases.

REACHING:

Frequently. Throughout the work shift in order to review monitoring equipment, operate communication equipment, administer oxygen, render care and operate equipment. The employee may also be required to reach in precarious positions, such as in a vehicle, which has been crushed in an accident, or in other confined spaces. If working inside the ambulance en route to a medical facility, the employee will need to reach to access the patient and supplies. Reaching will involve partial to full extension of the arms.

PUSHING AND PULLING:

Frequently. The activities that would require the most force in pushing and pulling is when removing or returning a stretcher to the emergency vehicle, with and without a patient on the stretcher. The weight required to push/pull will vary, depending on the weight on the stretcher or extrication device. Significant pushing will be required if the employee is performing CPR, which can require repetitive pushing and may range from a few minutes to hours. Pushing and pulling is required when operating and closing vehicle doors.

HANDLING OR GRASPING:

Continuously. While working at any given location, continual bilateral gross manipulation is performed in this position. This may be involved when: opening/closing doors; using, handling, carrying and operating medical equipment that may weigh approximately fifty pounds or more, stretcher rails, various handles attached to equipment and tools. The arm and hand must be able to perform all types of positions, including supination and pronation. Hyperextension, extension and flexion of the fingers will be involved, ulnar and radial deviation, abduction and adduction of the hand and wrist will be required. A wide variety of grasping will be required, such as cylindrical grasping, palmer grasping, hook grasping, tip grasping, lateral and spherical grasping.

HAZARDS:

Occasionally. The employee, when responding to emergency situations, may be exposed to dust, fumes, gases, fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, and chemicals. There is also exposure to body substances that may contain infectious materials that could cause illness or death. There is potential for bodily harm or death from violent patients, bystanders, or other dangers. At all times the employee is expected to adhere to all applicable Policies and Procedures concerning safety and the prevention of contamination and infection due to bloodborne pathogens.

OTHER PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain balance and strength in awkward positions.
• Speak clearly under stressful circumstances.
• Accurately communicate ideas orally and in writing in English.
• Respond physically with speed.
• Operate effectively in loud environments.
• Ability to visualize a scene with clarity with or without the use of corrective lenses.
• Compliance with the minimum vision requirements to operate a motor vehicle within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to use auditory perception to engage with a scene and with specific patients. This is accomplished with or without an auditory enhancement device.
• Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity and fine motor skill to perform all tasks related to the patient care.
• Ability to function in varied environmental conditions such as lighted or darkened work areas, extreme heat, extreme cold, or excessive moisture.
• Ability to effectively communicate in verbal, written, or typed formats with patients, colleagues, and peers alike.
• Present the cognitive function needed to assess a scene, situation, or patient’s clinical presentation to ensure that the appropriate safety measures are followed and effective clinical care is rendered to the patient.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

Handle a significant number of stressful situations, and be able to function with professionalism under all types of stressful situations; Engage cooperatively with diverse personalities; Ability to effectively communicate in verbal, written, or typed formats with patients, colleagues, and peers alike; Communicate with patients and others with empathy and respect; Create and maintain a positive and cooperative working environment in stressful situations; Work smoothly and professionally in an environment where teamwork is essential; Analyze and interpret difficult and complex patient care and personnel situations; Work independently with minimum supervision for assigned tasks; Exercise sound independent judgment within general Policy and procedural guidelines; Anticipate and identify problems and take initiative to prevent or correct them; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel within the medical community, outside agencies, patients, and members of the community; Understand and comply with federal, state and local laws, and company policies, procedures, and rules; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Present the cognitive function needed to assess a scene, situation, or patient’s clinical presentation to ensure that the appropriate safety measures are followed and effective clinical care is rendered to the patient;

Follow orders; Remember and apply concepts, knowledge and principles; Analyze and interpret situations; and appropriately deal with stress and maintain composure when encountering serious injuries or illnesses.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

1. High school diploma or GED required, Associate degree or greater collegiate education preferred
2. Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVDT, previously EVOC)
3. Current Certification as a Pennsylvania State- Paramedic with Medical Command eligibility
4. Current and valid American Heart Association – BLS for Healthcare Providers credentialing
5. Current and valid American Heart Association – Advanced Cardiac Life Support credentialing.
6. Current and valid American Heart Association – Pediatric Advanced Life Support credentialing.
7. Current and valid NAEMT Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support credentialing.
8. Current (within 30 days of hire) Pennsylvania Act 31 – Mandatory Reporter Training
9. National Incident Management System IS 700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System
10. National Incident Management System IS 100: Introduction to the ICS System
11. Hazardous Materials Course- Recognizing & Identifying Hazardous Materials (RIHM)
12. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians- Paramedic preferred.
13. NAEMT- Advanced Medical Life Support preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 1 year of experience as a field EMS provider preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Valid PA Driver License (minimum class C)
2. Must be at least 18 years of age as mandated by State Vehicle codes.
3. Current and with eligibility for renewal the following clearances:
   • Pennsylvania Act 33 – PA Child Abuse Clearance
   • Pennsylvania Act 34 – PA State Police Criminal History (PATCH)
   • Pennsylvania Act 73 – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

BENEFITS:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Career Development

Mutual Aid Ambulance Service Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.