Department: Fire EMS Position: Firefighter Paramedic Status: Full-Time FLSA: Non-Exempt
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Under general supervision of department officers, a Firefighter/Paramedic will maintain the assigned station, apparatus, equipment, and supplies in a state of readiness. A Firefighter/ Paramedic will mentor, train and/or orient other Fire and EMS division crewmembers and will be a strong leader. A Firefighter/Paramedic will respond to medical emergencies and provide prehospital Advanced Life Support care to victims of injury or illness. A Firefighter/Paramedic is ordinarily the highest medical authority at an emergency medical scene, and as such, makes medical decisions based on standing orders, protocols, and orders from on-line and off-line medical direction. A Firefighter/Paramedic will perform firefighting, rescue, and hazmat duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Fire/EMS or designee.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Performs complex diagnostic and medical procedures including, but not limited to: intravenous cannulation, endotracheal intubation, recognition of cardiac arrhythmias and administration of various medications.
- Drives and operates emergency apparatus as assigned.
- Accurately completes written Fire and EMS reports and relays verbal reports on patient care to hospital emergency departments.
- Comprehends and documents complete and accurate patient histories.
- Utilizes the City computer system for patient care documentation, record keeping, pre-incident planning, and other job-related functions.
- Mentors, trains and/or orients crew members to Fire & EMS operations, conduct departmental training sessions on topics related to the employee’s job functions.
- Performs thorough daily inspections of assigned apparatus; notifies station officer of any condition requiring repair or maintenance.
- Ensures inventory of supplies, equipment, and medications is complete; assures that apparatus, equipment, and records are properly maintained.
- Cleans and performs general maintenance of emergency medical and fire equipment and fire stations.
- Participates in firefighting duties as assigned, according to the Paramedic/Firefighter’s certification level as described in the minimum qualifications section and duties as outlined in the Certified Firefighter job description.
- Lays hose lines, operates nozzles, pumps and hydrants; utilizes fire extinguishers and performs other actions to suppress fire; operates hydraulic, pneumatic, manual, and power tools.
- Participates in salvage operation and post fire operations; uses salvage covers, floor runners and other related equipment to reduce property damage from heat, smoke, fire, gases, and water.
- Participates in drills and training evolutions as directed.
- Participates in fire and life safety inspections of commercial and residential properties; checks operating condition of hydrants.
- Responds to scenes of accidents or acute illness for which emergency medical care has been requested.
- Transfers, lifts, and moves patients while employing appropriate safety and lifting techniques.
- Responds to hazardous material incidents at an awareness level and responds to other calls for assistance as requested by the public.
- Participates in public education programs in schools, civic groups, and other community areas as requested.
- Drives and operates fire apparatus under the direction of department officers.
- Participates in daily physical training.
- Performs related duties as required and additional duties as assigned by Fire Chief or designee.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Must have high school diploma or the equivalent (GED).
- Minimum of one year of experience as a certified EMT.
- Certification and licensure as a Paramedic by the State of South Dakota and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (Must maintain NR-P throughout employment).
- Must maintain national and state mandated continuing education requirements, including current American Heart Association (AHA) certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
- South Dakota Critical Care Paramedic Endorsement within one year of hire.
- Certified South Dakota Firefighter within six months of hire (Pro Board and IFSAC accepted)
Special Requirements:
- Must possess a valid South Dakota Driver License.
- Must complete Department’s emergency ambulance driving class within 2 weeks of the hire date.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Familiarity with existing triage, treatment, and patient transport protocols.
- Familiarity with standing orders provided by off-line medical director.
- Proficiency in advanced life support procedures.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Ability to follow both written and oral communication; ability to communicate in a written and verbal manner; ability to exercise appropriate safety tactics in firefighting and medical emergencies.
- In addition to basic life support (BLS) skills, must be proficient in advanced life support (ALS) skills including but not limited to IV therapy, cardiac monitoring, advanced airway control and a variety of medication therapies.
- Ability to handle high levels of personal stress and maintain composure under a variety of adverse conditions, including verbal and physical abuse, witnessing death and critical injuries, and experiencing risk of personal harm.
- Working knowledge of the goals and objectives of City fire control program; working knowledge of effective techniques and methods of fire suppression and control; working knowledge of effective operation of policies and procedures established for the Fire Department; some knowledge of hazardous substances and their control.
- Skill in the operation of the apparatus to be driven; skill in maintenance of equipment and station; skill in operation of fire and emergency medical service equipment.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
- Fire pumps, SCBA, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, vehicle, personal protective gear, personal computer.
- All equipment listed on State of South Dakota’s required equipment list for paramedics, including but not limited to defibrillators, medical suction equipment, cardiac monitors, intubation equipment, IV and medication administration equipment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In addition to the physical demands of the job as listed below, the employee must pass the department’s annual Physical Agility Test (PAT).
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, communicate, stand, walk, reach with arms, and use hands to manipulate, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- The employee must be able to frequently lift objects weighing 50-100 pounds and move objects between 20-50 pounds for short distances (20 feet or more); perform duties requiring pulling of 40 pounds or more such as removing hose from apparatus, pulling ceilings, starting power equipment, and opening doors on the apparatus.
- Following an offer of employment, the applicant must be able to pass a fit-for-duty physical and job function test. For more details, please see the functional job description for this position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particulates, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT/Paramedic activities when noise levels may be above the normal range.
The employee will be required to work lengthy continuous shifts. During this time, the employee may experience several interruptions of sleep, meals, and/or other activities.
The employee will be expected to perform essential job functions despite the potential for fatigue resulting from extended shift work.
BENEFITS:
This position offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, life and retirement.
The City of Vermillion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
