Florence County, South Carolina

Job Description, March 1999

Job Title: Crewmember

Emergency Medical Services

General Statement of Job

Under regular supervision, must be mentally and physically capable of responding to emergency medical calls promptly, providing patient’s quality medical treatment and transportation to appropriate medical facilities. Completes required records and performs routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles. Exercise judgement in all situations and ensures prompt response to emergency calls. Reports to the Crew chief. Acts as a Crew Chief if so directed.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

Responds to emergency calls, providing basic and advanced life support treatment to patients, as well as transportation to appropriate medical facility. Obtains patient medical history if possible; assesses physical condition of patients and assists in making decisions regarding proper courses of action. Performs such duties as CPR, splint application, wound treatment, control of bleeding, monitoring and relaying of vital signs, oxygen administration, calculations and administration of medications, interpretation of EKG, defibrillation, intubation, intravenous infusions of fluids, sterile suctioning and blood sugar checks. Aggressively supports Crew Chief in all life support activities.

Assists with or inspects and test ambulance supplies and equipment to ensure adequate amounts are on hand at all times; monitor supplies and equipment and restocks the ambulance as needed; maintains cleanliness of equipment and ambulance; cleans/decontaminates equipment in preparation for subsequent medical response and shifts.

Completes required DHEC records and other reports in order to keep supervisors and shift supervisor informed of events.

Provides care and transportation of emergency and non-emergency patients, provides assistance to patients, monitors and relays vital signs and notifies hospitals, doctors, dispatcher, etc, of patients condition, emergency situations, requests for assistance, etc.; maintains adherence to DHEC and medical control standards.

Practices and follows safety procedures in operating ambulance on emergency calls; observes all traffic laws and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operations.

Performs extrication of victims from wreckage and buildings, movement of individuals, medical supple administration, etc, of any and all patients.

Operates an ambulance and wide range of life-saving/life supporting equipment, tool, generator, safety gear, siren, medical instruments, radio, and supplies.

Ability to life, handle and operate stretchers and other equipment required to provide emergency care services.

If certified as and advanced EMT (paramedic), will provide advanced life support functions, including, but not limited to intubation, IV therapy, EKG monitoring, defibrillation, external pacing, administering required medication and pleural decompression.

If certified as an advanced EMT (paramedic) may act as a Crew Chief as approved by Emergency Services Director.

Maintains a variety of medical equipment and supplies such as an ambulance, CPR machines, suction units, oxygen tanks, splints, two-way radio equipment, stethoscope, Hurst tool, etc.

Maintains radio communications with dispatch center, hospital personnel and other public safety agencies to receive and to transmit instructions involving patient care. Provides instructions to first responders and bystanders in the use of first aid equipment.

Assists in securing accident scenes as necessary, performing such duties as gather information, preserving evidence, and assisting with auto extrication.

Attends required training. Satisfactorily completes all knowledge and skills objectives.

Works under high risk, stressful conditions that include life-threatening situations and under adverse conditions. Maintains 24/48-hour rotation or other work schedule on assigned shift.

Assists in securing accident or crime scenes, performing duties such as gathering information, preserving evident, minimizing onlooker interference, controlling traffic, etc.

Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits documents including daily logs, vehicle maintenance logs, charge tickets, supply order forms, patient treatment and insurance records, inventory lists, expense forms, check sheets, incident report, Coroner’s reports, memos, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, other County department staff, law enforcement personnel, SC Wildlife Department officers, rescue squad personnel, fire department personnel, Coroner, Solicitor, attorneys, public utilities workers, patients and their families, hospital staff, news media, life guards, DHEC inspectors, nursing home personnel, inmates, funeral home personnel, morgue personnel, pathologists, Poison control Center personnel, etc, and the general public,

Additional Job functions

Assists with new employee orientation/training.

Performs general housekeeping of station and department areas.

Participates in public relations activities as necessary.

Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience

Requires high school diploma and EMT advanced certification supplemented by five to eleven months of EMS knowledge, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. EMT basic and intermediate certifications will be accepted, however they will be considered less than minimum requirements. Must be in good physical health. Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

Effective date of this job description is March 1, 1999