OVERVIEW & PURPOSE:
Under general supervision, the Iredell County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Training Officer is responsible for the development, coordination, and delivery of training programs for all EMS personnel, ensuring they are fully equipped to provide high-quality pre-hospital care in a variety of emergency situations. This role works as part of a training team to developing training and lesson plans, conduct training sessions, evaluate the effectiveness of training programs, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, record keeping, serving as an evaluator in new hire and promotional assessment centers, and maintaining a high standard of professional development for all EMS team members. Employee may respond to emergency medical calls as a Paramedic to assist and evaluate the performance of the department. Employee must exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness in dealing with sick or injured persons and with the General public. Employee is exposed to the normal hazards of emergency medical response work, including risk of exposure to infectious diseases. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in all aspects of work. This employee will direct and supervise Assistant Training Officers (ATOs) in delivering training to field staff. The Training Officer reports to the EMS Deputy Director of Support Services.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive EMS training programs at the EMT and advanced levels based on industry best practices, North Carolina and national standards, and legal requirements.
Create and update training curricula for Iredell County EMS providers, including paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians (AEMTs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other support staff.
Provide instruction on various EMS protocols, patient care procedures, medical equipment use, and emergency response strategies.
Ensure that Training Programs align with current North Carolina State Office of EMS requirements and evolving emergency response standards.
Coordinates clinical education for EMS students from throughout North Carolina as associated with the Agency Clinical Program.
Designs, implements and manages new employee orientation and staff development activities.
Designs, implements and manages public outreach and education initiatives related to emergency medical response.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Training Programs and adjust content based on feedback, performance assessments, and changes in regulations or medical practices.
Conduct practical and written assessments to evaluate knowledge, skills, and competencies of EMS personnel.
Monitor the progress of trainees, identifying any learning gaps or performance issues, and implement performance improvement plans or additional training if needed.
Ensure all ICEMS personnel are certified according to North Carolina standards, such as maintaining current certifications in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and other required credentials.
Keep records of Certifications and training progress for each EMS staff member.
Stay updated on all Local, State, and Federal regulations that affect EMS training and ensure compliance with them.
Provide ongoing continuing education opportunities to EMS personnel to enhance their skills and keep them informed of advances in medical technologies and treatment protocols.
Coordinate external Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences for EMS personnel to enhance professional development.
Serve as a Mentor for new EMS staff and assist in their integration into the team.
Promote a culture of safety in training and operations, emphasizing the importance of safe practices in both training environments and real-world emergencies.
Ensure that all training activities comply with safety standards and include appropriate risk management practices.
Collaborate with EMS leadership and other healthcare providers to ensure training programs meet organizational needs and objectives.
Maintain open lines of communication with other emergency services, hospitals, and local authorities to ensure coordination of training efforts.
Provide feedback and reports to administration on the progress of EMS personnel training and any issues that may need to be addressed.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records for all EMS personnel.
Prepare and present reports on training activities, program effectiveness, and compliance audits to administration.
Manage the training budget, including the procurement of educational materials and equipment required for training.
Prepares, maintains and manages agencies Educational Institution certification through the North Carolina state Office of EMS.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
Answers emergency medical calls as a Supervisor/Educator, and as necessary performing emergency medical care at the Paramedic level in accordance with established protocols for Basic and Advanced Life Support.
Plans, organizes, and serves as support staff to the system Quality Management Committee.
Research emerging trends as it applies to emergency medicine. Incorporate medical technology changes within system protocols and clinician practice.
Conducts EMS research as practical to confirm with and drive trends in the profession.
Performs other related work as directed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to evaluate and assess training effectiveness.
Proficient in using EMS training software, databases, and technology tools.
Ability to deliver training in both classroom and hands-on environments.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE “REQUIREMENTS”:
A Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Medical Services, Health Sciences, or a related field. A minimum of five (5_ years of experience working as a field Paramedic in a pre-hospital setting. A minimum of two (2) years of experience as an EMS instructor and strong knowledge of current EMS practices, protocols, and procedures.
ADDITIONAL “REQUIREMENTS”:
Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
North Carolina state Paramedic Certification required.
North Carolina EMS Level II (2) Paramedic Instructor (or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire) required.
ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 required.
“PREFERRED” QUALIFICATIONS:
Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) Certification preferred.
Previous experience in an EMS Program Coordinator role preferred.
Certifications in Exercise/Simulation Design and Evaluation preferred.
Instructor Certifications in CPR, ACLS, PALS, and other related courses preferred.
Instructor Certification from a recognized Training Program, such as the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE), is a plus.