Paramedic (EMT)

City of Norfolk; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Job summary

Norfolk Fire-Rescue is seeking dedicated Paramedics for our 24/7 ALS Division, delivering hospital-grade emergency care in the field. Sworn employees work a 24 hours on / 72 hours off schedule with built-in overtime opportunities. Starting salary is $70,000 annually, negotiable based on experience.

Join a premier public safety agency in Norfolk, VA, serving about 50,000 emergency calls per year, with a focus on medical innovation and health equity across the city.

Qualifications

• Virginia Paramedic certification required at hire.
• NR Paramedics considered; reciprocity is the applicant's responsibility to arrange.
• Current ACLS, PALS/PEPP, and CPR certifications are required.
• EMS experience in a 911 response system is preferred.
• TEMS ALS provider certification is required or obtained.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced ALS interventions including airway management and cardiac therapies.
• Assess pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients under high-stress conditions.
• Operate EMS equipment and manage field care and transport.
• Complete comprehensive ePCR documentation meeting clinical and regulatory standards.
• Serve as Attendant-in-Charge on emergency scenes and coordinate patient disposition.

Skills

Paramedic EMS

ALS interventions

ECG interpretation

Intubation

IV/IO administration

AIC on scene

ePCR documentation

Shift management

Virginia EMS certification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Virginia Paramedic certification

ACLS

PALS/PEPP

CPR

ICS 100/200/700/800

Job description

Starting salary $70,000/annually

Norfolk Fire-Rescue: https://www.norfolk.gov/6016/Fire-Rescue

The Norfolk Fire-Rescue (NFR) Paramedic EMS Division provides premier, 24/7 Advanced Life Support (ALS) across the city's urban center and diverse neighborhoods. By utilizing progressive medical protocols and advanced technology, our dedicated paramedics deliver cutting-edge, hospital-grade emergency interventions directly in the field. Operating independently from traditional fire suppression duties, this specialized division prioritizes medical innovation, provider sustainability, and deep community equity. Through this commitment, Norfolk Fire-Rescue ensures that every resident and visitor receives elite, world-class emergency medical care in their hour of greatest need.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue is seeking dedicated and highly skilled emergency medical professionals to join our progressive Paramedic EMS Division. As a premier public safety agency in Norfolk, Virginia, our department responds to approximately 50,000 emergency calls annually. This specialized division decouples advanced medical care from traditional fire-suppression duties, allowing clinicians to focus exclusively on field medicine. Operating on a modern schedule that promotes work-life balance, this role offers an elite clinical environment and a direct path to advancing public health equity across our city.

Starting salary may be negotiable based upon prior relevant work experience. Paramedics will be sworn employees on a 40-hour schedule working 24 hours on and 72 hours off. Schedule will include built in overtime and opportunities for additional voluntary overtime

Essential Functions listed below represent the core clinical, physical, and operational duties that an individual must be able to perform to successfully fulfill the requirements of the Norfolk Fire-Rescue Paramedic position:

Advanced Clinical Care & Emergency Interventions

• Perform high-level diagnostic assessments on pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients under dynamic, high-stress conditions to identify life-threatening medical anomalies.
• Administer field-initiated Advanced Life Support (ALS) interventions including endotracheal intubation, surgical airways, chest decompressions, and intraosseous (IO) access according to Tidewater EMS (TEMS) protocols.
• Interpret 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to diagnose acute myocardial infarctions or lethal dysrhythmia, and perform advanced cardiac therapies including synchronized cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, and defibrillation.
• Calculate and administer complex dosages of emergency medications, controlled substances, and intravenous fluids via intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraosseous routes.
• Operate specialized medical technology such as mechanical ventilators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), advanced cardiac monitors, capnography, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.
• Serve as the Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) on emergency scenes, assuming ultimate responsibility for patient triaging, stabilization, safety, and ultimate disposition.
• Author comprehensive Electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCR) using professional, objective medical terminology that satisfies all clinical, legal, billing, and quality assurance metrics before shift completion.
• Conduct mandatory shift inspections of emergency vehicles, controlled substances, advanced airway bags, and biomedical electronics to ensure 100% operational compliance with Virginia Office of EMS guidelines.
• Adapt to an irregular 24/7 shift (24 hours on / 72 hours off), maintaining acute mental acuity, rapid reaction times, and emotional resilience through periods of high call volume.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Knowledge of practices to include safety and infection control procedures pertaining to the use and operation of equipment, tools, and protective gear.
• Knowledge of incident command procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and basic maintenance needs including medical apparatus.
• General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Prior EMS experience at the Paramedic level within a 911 response system is preferred.
• Required Certifications:
  • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.)
  • Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider
  • Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)*
  • Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP)*
  • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)*
  • Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification*
  • Hazmat Materials Awareness Course*
  • ICS 100, 200, 700, 800*
  • If not current, Paramedics will be provided training and must successfully obtain certification within 60 days of hire date to continue employment.
• For any questions, please email NFR Recruiting.
• To view all department specific Automatic Disqualifiers, CLICK HERE.
• Tobacco Use: Selected candidates will be required to sign an acknowledgement indicating that they will refrain from using tobacco products, both on and off-duty.
• Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.