Description

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position that reports directly to the assigned Battalion Chief. EMTs are responsible for delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care at the basic life support levels, in accordance with their Missouri EMT certification. Clinical practice is carried out under the direction and supervision of the EMS Medical Director, while operational responsibilities are guided by departmental leadership.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Valid Missouri Class “F” license driver's license.
- Valid Missouri EMT license.
- Must maintain continuous AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
- Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required within six (6) months of hire.
- Must be currently certified through a standard Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), or similar standard as approved by the Chief of EMS.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Cole County Pre-Hospital Provider Certification.

Skills:
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows with ability to use specialized EMS computer applications.
- Skilled at developing effective working relationships with all partnering agencies, adjunct public safety entities, and emergency hospital personnel.
- Ability to use good judgment and to operate equipment and emergency vehicles in high stress and adverse conditions.
- Must be proficient in oral and written communication, including documentation of patient assessment and care.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work independently and as a team member, employ discretion and confidentiality in sensitive areas, read, interpret, and follow instructions.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work daily.
- Ability to interview patients and bystanders and document all relevant information.
- Persuade others and negotiate solutions to conflicts and problems.
- Listen and integrate the ideas of others.
- Identify and resolve problems.
- Recall the response area of Cole County EMS.
- Obtain thorough knowledge of all EMS policies, procedures, and treatment protocols.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Administrative:
- Continually re-evaluates emergency care, knowledge, and techniques. Participates in EMS training classes to maintain skill and knowledge proficiency while fulfilling national and state licensure requirements.
- Participates in public relations and public education presentations. Presentations shall be conducted with a spirit of professionalism and enthusiasm. Provides tours of department facilities and vehicles / demonstrates procedures and answers questions to increase public awareness of emergency medical care.
- Completes routine housekeeping tasks and other assigned duties including cleaning of the ambulance and crew living quarters.
- Completes other duties as assigned by Command Staff.

Operations

Perform thorough patient assessments, determine nature and extent of illness or injuries, and establish priorities for emergency care in a rapid and efficient manner.
Provides basic life support with all the associated skills, procedures, and medications as defined in the Missouri EMS scope of practice for Emergency Medical Technicians and Cole County EMS protocols.
Assess each call situation to determine best course of action and appropriate protocol utilization.
Provides patient care according to clinical protocols and safety requirements.
Assist Advanced Life Support personnel with procedures and patient care.
Document patient care activities in a timely manner; such reports shall be both accurate and complete to ensure appropriate information and data collection points are recorded and available for each call.
Develop and utilize triage skills to provide optimal efficiency during calls involving multiple patients.
Adhere to all requirements of the Cole County EMS QI program regarding data collection. Support research initiatives through education involvement, participation, and thorough documentation.
Consider patient status, insurance preferred facilities, and hospital diversion status when determining transportation destinations.
Communicate with receiving facility and medical control to receive medical direction and to provide critical information.
Display a professional and courteous appearance.
Diligently adhere to the protection of Personal Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
Communicate with patients and bystanders to provide information as needed.
Coach and educate co-workers of new and changing information as necessary.
Respond quickly and safely to the scene of an accident or illness. Drive the ambulance with safety and due regard.
Adhere to all department policies and procedures.
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief of EMS or designee.

Physical Demands

Essential Functions

Physical activities required on the job include:
- Regularly (over 70% of the time) sitting, talking, and hearing (i.e., meetings, public speaking engagements, etc.).
- Frequently (41% to 70% of the time) grasping, standing, walking, and driving.
- Occasionally (1% to 40% of the time) feeling attributes of objects, reaching with hands/arms, stooping and kneeling, climbing, or balancing, and repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement.

Job requires ability to lift and/or exert force as follows:
- Regularly (over 70% of the time) lifts up to 25 pounds.
- Frequently (41% to 70%) lifts up to 75 pounds.
- Occasionally (15% to 40%) lifts up to 100 pounds.
- Rarely (less than 15%) lifts over 100 pounds.

Visual activities required on the job include:
- Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more and 20 inches or less.
- Three-dimensional vision—ability to judge distance and space relationships.
- Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.
- Ability to see up and down or to right or left while fixed on point.

Mental activities that are required during a typical workday are:
- Concentrated attention with regards to writing and preparing various written communications.

While on a call the job requires exposure to any of the following environmental conditions:

Frequently (50% to 75%) exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
Rarely (5% to 10%) exposed to extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), subject to oils (mechanical or food).
Occasionally (25% to 40%) work in hazardous traffic.
The noise that is experienced on the job is a moderate noise level (i.e., office with computers and/or computer printers and clinical equipment).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This role requires the ability to maintain a high level of physical fitness to carry out essential EMS and rescue functions. Duties involve sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing, balancing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching in a variety of environments and situations. The employee may be required to lift, carry, drag, push, or pull individuals and equipment weighing up to 180 pounds with assistance, and occasionally more during emergency operations. Essential tasks include performing continuous chest compressions, moving patients in confined or hazardous spaces, and operating stretchers, gurneys, and other transport devices over uneven terrain and obstacles.

The position requires work in hazardous and unpredictable environments, including the ability to wear and operate in personal protective equipment such as turnout gear and respiratory protection for extended periods of time. Sufficient cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditioning is necessary to perform rescues, climb ladders, and manage heavy tools or equipment under physically and emotionally stressful conditions.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus in low light, smoke, or other reduced visibility conditions. Hearing must be adequate to distinguish radio traffic, alarms, and verbal instructions in high-noise environments.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Operations personnel work primarily in uncontrolled and potentially hazardous environments. Employees may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, hazardous materials, infectious diseases, smoke, fire, noxious fumes, loud noises, vibration, poor visibility, and other dangerous or stressful circumstances. Operations may take place at heights, in confined spaces, on uneven terrain, or in and around moving traffic and heavy equipment.

The position routinely requires response to emergency situations where exposure to emotionally charged, traumatic, or life-threatening circumstances is common. Employees are expected to wear and operate in protective clothing and equipment, including turnout gear, helmets, gloves, and respiratory protection, for extended durations.

The work environment is highly dynamic and may involve extended or irregular hours, rotating shifts, and mandatory recall during large-scale incidents or disasters. The employee must be able to maintain effective performance and decision-making under physical, mental, and emotional stress.

Cole County Emergency Medical Services offers a competitive public safety benefit package to full-time employees. Paid Team Member and Family/Dependent Health Insurance. Dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance. Two fully funded retirements, with no out-of-pocket cost (LAGERS - The largest retirement system in Missouri that serves local government employees) (CERF County Retirement), plus an elective 457(b) with 4% match. Earned paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave. Paid continuing education for mandatory requirements.

Cole County Emergency Medical Services

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Emergency Medical Technician