The Paramedic provides advanced life support (ALS) assessment, treatment, and transport for emergency and interfacility patients. Working under protocol and medical direction, the Paramedic manages critically ill and injured patients, leads the crew, and makes independent clinical decisions in the field. The Paramedic completes documentation that supports quality care, medical necessity, and billing.
Responsibilities
Advanced patient care
- Respond to emergency calls, ALS intercepts, and scheduled interfacility transports as dispatched.
- Perform comprehensive assessments and form a field impression and treatment plan.
- Provide ALS care within state scope and medical direction, including:
- Cardiac monitoring, 12-lead ECG acquisition and interpretation, and transmission to receiving facilities
- Manual defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, and transcutaneous pacing
- Advanced airway management, including endotracheal intubation, supraglottic airways, capnography, and RSI/DSI where authorized
- IV and IO access, fluid resuscitation, and medication administration, including controlled substances
- Needle decompression, cricothyrotomy, and other invasive procedures per protocol
- Manage cardiac arrest, STEMI, stroke, sepsis, trauma, respiratory failure, and pediatric and obstetric emergencies using current guidelines.
- Consult online medical control when protocol requires or the situation warrants.
- Treat patients and families with dignity, respect, and attention to comfort and privacy.
Interfacility and critical transfers
- Review transfer orders, records, and current treatments before accepting a patient.
- Maintain IV infusions, medication drips, and monitoring within Paramedic scope and company protocol.
- Manage patients on transport ventilators or infusion pumps when trained and authorized.
- Decline or elevate transfers that exceed Paramedic scope, and request critical care or nurse staffing as needed.
Leadership and communication
- Serve as crew lead and clinical decision-maker on ALS units.
- Direct EMTs, AEMTs, and first responders on scene.
- Give clear patient reports to receiving facilities, medical control, and other responders.
- Coordinate with dispatch, fire, law enforcement, air medical, and hospital staff.
Documentation and compliance
- Complete a thorough ePCR for every patient contact before end of shift.
- Document assessments, interventions, and patient condition to support ALS medical necessity for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers.
- Obtain required signatures, face sheets, Physician Certification Statements (PCS), and insurance information.
- Follow protocols, HIPAA, infection control, and all company, state, federal, and DEA controlled-substance regulations, including chain of custody and waste documentation.
Vehicle and equipment
- Complete start-of-shift checks of the vehicle, cardiac monitor, airway equipment, and medications; restock supplies.
- Clean and disinfect the ambulance and equipment after each transport.
- Drive the ambulance safely and legally, following emergency vehicle operation and company policy.
- Report mechanical problems, equipment failures, and incidents promptly.
Professional conduct
- Arrive on time, in uniform, and ready for duty.
- Participate in QA/QI review, case reviews, continuing education, and skills verification.
- Precept and mentor paramedic students, AEMTs, and EMTs when assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited paramedic program.
- Current Paramedic certification in good standing: Ohio Paramedic (Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS) and/or Pennsylvania Paramedic (PA Department of Health), depending on assigned service area. NRP preferred.
- Current ACLS, PALS (or PEPP), and CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record per company insurance standards.
- Minimum age of 18 (21 may be required by the insurance carrier to drive).
- Ability to pass a background check, drug screen, and pre-employment physical.
- Ability to obtain agency credentialing and medical director authorization within the onboarding period.
- Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English, and basic computer skills for ePCR documentation.
Physical requirements and working conditions
- Lift and carry at least 125 lbs with a partner (250+ lbs combined), and move patients up and down stairs.
- Push, pull, bend, kneel, and stand for long periods, including on uneven ground at emergency scenes.
- Adequate vision, hearing, and manual dexterity to assess patients, read monitors, and perform invasive procedures.
- Work in all weather conditions, in a moving vehicle, and in unpredictable or high-stress environments.
- Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious disease, body fluids, hazardous materials, and hostile scenes; PPE is provided and required.
- Work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as scheduled; mandatory holdover may occur on late calls.
Preferred qualifications
- 2+ years of paramedic experience in 911 or interfacility transport.
- PHTLS or ITLS, AMLS, and NRP (neonatal) or equivalent courses.
- Critical care certification (FP-C, CCP-C) or critical care transport experience.
- EVOC or CEVO driver training.
- Field training officer or preceptor experience.
- Experience with ePCR systems and ALS medical necessity documentation.
Required Certifications
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Basic Life Support (CPR) Drivers License Paramedic Pediatric Advanced Life Support