Position Summary

The role of the Paramedic reports to the Emergency Department Director. This position is responsible for providing direct patient care under the direction of the Emergency Department Medical Director in the evaluation and treatment of patients. This includes selected invasive and non-invasive procedures, treatments, documentation, and patient/family teaching. This position can administer medications if they are on the approved Washington Regional Medical Center ED Paramedic Medication Administrative Scope List. This position will perform diagnostic studies including 12 lead EKGs, bedside glucose testing, hold for lumbar puncture, applying c-spine and spinal immobilization, extremity splints, cardiac monitoring, fits crutches and teaches crutch walking, oxygen therapy, oral and nasal suctioning, cleans wounds and applies non-sterile dressings, performs phlebotomy, initiates peripheral intravenous and/or interosseous access, gastric tube insertion, bag mask ventilation, performs cardiac compressions, cardioversion, and defibrillation.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Communicate with ED Providers and RN’s regarding changes in patient status, symptomology and results of diagnostic studies
• Responds quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment
• Transports patients to and from vehicles, ancillary departments, and inpatient rooms as needed
• Demonstrates an understanding of growth and development relations considerations such as vital sign differences and techniques in different age groups, psychosocial needs, and safety needs in different age groups
• Provides care that meets the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care
• Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs of patients, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system
• Initiates interventions and diagnostic procedures, maintain a septic/sterile technique as appropriate within the confines of the ED
• Under the direction/supervision of a RN and/or Provider, provides clinical care
• Participates in the development of a multidisciplinary plan of care
• Documents the effectiveness of the care plan including secondary and ongoing assessments

Qualifications

• Education: Must be a graduate of an accredited EMT and Paramedic program
• Licensure and Certifications: Arkansas Paramedic license, EMT-P national certification, required. BLS required upon hire. ACLS and PALS required within 90 days of hire. Audit a TNCC course within 18 months of hire date OR complete PHTLS within 18 months of hire.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years’ experience, preferred.

Work Environment: This position will spend 90% of the time walking and/or standing while pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or carrying up to 50 lbs. This position will spend 10% of the time sitting while performing work in a standard office environment. This position will be exposed to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and radiation. This position serves a cultural and linguistically diverse patient population.