Training Institute

Paramedic

FUNCTIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR THE
PARAMEDIC/HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful completion of approved curriculum. Achievement of 75% on the state written examination and successfully complete and meet all criteria to take the state practical examination.

The following is a position description of the Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic/Health Professional (EMT P/HP). This document identifies the qualifications, competencies and tasks expected of the EMT P/HP.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION
Must have the ability of:

• Communicate, via telephone and radio equipment;
• Lift, carry and balance a minimum of 125 pounds (250 with assistance);
• Interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions;
• Use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations;
• Read manuals, encyclopedias and road maps; accurately discern street signs and address numbers;
• Verbally interview patient, family members and by-standers and hear their responses;
• Document, in writing (English), all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such;
• Converse with co-workers and hospital staff as to status of patient;
• Good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care;
• Bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven terrain;
• Withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture; lighted and darkened work areas.

COMPETENCY AREAS
The EMT-P/HP—
Must be capable of performance of all EMT-Basic skills and equipment, be able to perform m accordance with the behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Paramedic and Health Profession Curriculum and other objectives identified by the Department.

DESCRIPTION OF TASKS
Receives calls from dispatcher, responds verbally to emergency calls, reads maps, uses most expeditious route to the scene, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations. May function alone or as a member of a two-person team.

Upon arrival at the scene, insures that the vehicle is parked in a safe location; performs size-up to determine scene safety, mechanisms of injury and illnesses, determines total number of patients and requests additional help if necessary.

Determines nature and extent of illnesses or injury, takes pulses, blood pressure (by auscultation and palpation). Visually observes changes in skin color, establishes priority for emergency care, calculates drip rate and drug concentrations, renders appropriate approved intravenous drugs of fluid replacement as directed by physicians. Performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilates patient.

Performs cardiac monitoring, interprets EKG tracing and transmits rhythm to emergency department if required by medical control. Inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient's blood circulation.

Assist in lifting, carrying and transporting patients to ambulance and on to medical facility. Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care. Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care.

Complies with regulations on the handling of crime scene and prehospital deaths by notifying authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence.

Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to that facility, asks for advice from hospital physician of emergency department. Observes patient enroute and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department. Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility. Assists in removing patient from ambulance and transporting into emergency facility. Reports verbally and in writing observations about and care of patient at the scene and enroute to facility, provides assistance to emergency staff as required.

Reports verbally and in writing, observations and emergency care given to the patient at the scene and in transit to the receiving staff for record keeping and diagnostic purposes. Upon request, provides assistance to the receiving facility staff.

Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulance cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gas, water in battery and radiator, and tire pressure, maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.

Meets qualifications within the functional position description of the EMT and EMT-Paramedic and Health Professional.

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROGRAM

At the second session of any Pennsylvania Paramedic/Health Professional Certification Course, each student must sign one of the following statements:

Student’s Name _____________________________________________________________________
(please print)

I have read and understand the functional job description of a Paramedic/Health Professional. I have no conditions which would preclude me from safely and effectively performing all the functions of the level of a Paramedic/Health Professional which I am seeking Pennsylvania certification.

signature date