Palo Alto County Health System (PACHS)
Northwest Iowa’s trusted healthcare hub
At Palo Alto County Health System, we are proud to serve as the healthcare hub of choice in Northwest Iowa — a place where teamwork, compassion, and excellence define every patient encounter. As an EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic functioning as an ED Tech, you will play a vital dual role supporting both out-of-hospital emergency care and in-hospital emergency department operations, ensuring timely, safe, and high-quality care for patients of all ages.
In this position, you will:
- Provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care per established progressive protocols and under the direction of the EMS Director.
-
Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls with professionalism, safety, and sound clinical judgment.
-
Complete ambulance and equipment duties including inspections, cleaning, restocking, maintenance, and readiness checks.
-
Participate in hospital readiness and response teams, including HAZMAT and TB Transport teams.
-
Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation.
Within your certified scope and hospital-validated competencies, you will:
-
Assist RNs and physicians in the ED with procedures, patient preparation, monitoring, and routine clinical tasks.
-
Help transport, position, and support patients, ensuring comfort, safety, and dignity.
-
Collect and record vital signs, intake/output, and clinical information.
-
Set up and break down equipment using sterile or aseptic technique as appropriate.
-
Provide 1:1 observation for behavioral or safety-risk patients.
-
Support workflow by answering call lights, phones, and assisting with patient needs within scope.
EMT may perform:
-
EKGs
-
Advanced airway skills within scope
-
Finger-stick blood glucose testing
-
Select medication administration allowed within Iowa EMT scope
AEMT may additionally perform:
-
Advanced airway skills within scope
-
IV placement and fluid therapy
-
Expanded medication administration per protocol
Paramedic may additionally perform:
-
IV/IO initiation and management
-
Venous and capillary blood sampling
-
Accessing implanted ports
-
Pharmacologic interventions including IM, SQ, SL, oral, IV, and IO medications
-
Expanded clinical procedures per Paramedic scope
- High school diploma or GED
-
Current Iowa EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic certification
-
Valid Iowa driver’s license with acceptable driving record
-
Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills
-
Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
-
Basic computer proficiency
-
Commitment to patient privacy and professional conduct
-
Completion of ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS within one year of hire (if not already certified)
- 1–2 years of field EMS experience
-
Instructor-level credentials
-
Additional related healthcare experience
PACHS offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package supporting your health, well-being, and financial security.
- Two medical plan options (PPO & HDHP) with no-cost preventive care
-
Employer HSA contributions for HDHP participants
-
Dental insurance with 100% preventive coverage
-
VSP vision insurance
-
Discounted membership at the Arthur & Audrey Smith Wellness Center
- Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS)
-
Employer-paid Basic Life & AD&D
-
Optional supplemental life insurance for employee & dependents
-
Employer-paid Short-Term Disability
-
Employer-paid Long-Term Disability
-
Voluntary Critical Illness and Accident coverage
- PTO beginning on day one
-
PTO cash-out option up to four times per year
-
Holiday Club payroll savings program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 24/7 confidential counseling, financial consultation, legal guidance, coaching, and more
Palo Alto County Health System is dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care to the communities we serve. Our team is guided by respect, integrity, and a deep commitment to personalized service. At PACHS, employees experience a supportive, family-oriented culture where their contributions are valued, their growth is encouraged, and their work truly makes a difference.
When you join PACHS, you join a team that cares for our community — and cares for each other.
