Single Role Paramedic

Paramedic Position

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is seeking highly motivated Paramedics who desire to actively support our commitment to providing a high level of service to our community through innovation, training (employees and the community), and cutting-edge technology. This is an outstanding opportunity to become part of our dedicated team of professionals and to be actively involved in taking our District forward through participation in projects, committees, training, and education. We are committed to personal and professional growth and provide opportunities for you to stay current on training requirements, trends, and technology. Plus, we offer competitive pay, benefits, and a great work schedule.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is an independent Special District in Contra Costa County responsible for providing a high level of emergency and non-emergency services to the communities it serves. The District's service area encompasses approximately 155 square miles, serving the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, San Ramon, the southern boundary of Morgan Territory, and the Tassajara Valley. The District serves a population of 192,858. The communities are primarily residential, commercial, office park, and controlled manufacturing, along with wildland areas, protected by nine stations and one volunteer staffed station with 185 employees, and 56 volunteers. Financial oversight and strategic policy direction are provided by an elected 5-member Board of Directors.

Under direction of the assigned Fire Captain provides patient care and ambulance transport services as a member of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (District) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division. The primary responsibility of the EMT-P is to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) patient care and transport of patients as a team member of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's 911 EMS System.

This job announcement is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position; it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The incumbent will be required to perform a full range of EMS skills and services, including but not limited to:

• Operate District owned ambulances and other District vehicles as directed, including driving to and from medical emergencies as part of the ambulance transportation team.
• Must pass District EMS Academy and all related new hire didactic and skills training with no less than 80% final score, prior to release to single role paramedic status within the District.
• Evaluate the ill and injured and document findings and actions on a patient care report.
• Render both basic and advanced life support, rescue, and first aid to patients.
• Obtain and document diagnostic signs including but not limited to temperature, blood pressure pulse and respirations rates, level of consciousness, pupil status, and electrocardiogram interpretations.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of mechanical adjuncts to advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation and both manual defibrillators and automated external defibrillators (AED).
• Use the following adjunctive airway breathing aids: Oropharyngeal airway; nasopharyngeal airway; Advanced airways to include supraglottic and endotracheal intubation; Waveform capnography; Suction devices; Basic and advanced oxygen delivery devices; and Manual and mechanical ventilating devices designed for pre-hospital use.
• Use various types of stretchers and body immobilization devices.
• Provide initial pre-hospital emergency trauma care.
• Perform basic field triage.
• Transport patients.
• Manage patients within their scope of practice.
• Administration of emergency medications per Contra Costa County EMS Protocols.
• Lifting patients into ambulances on a gurney.
• Contact and obtain direction from base hospitals regarding patient care.
• Cleans and decontaminates as necessary/directed District equipment, apparatus and facilities.
• Collection and documentation of patient billing information per District policy.
• Maintains and restocks inventory of ambulance and station EMS supplies through logistics orders.
• Performs preventative maintenance inspections (PMI) on assigned apparatus.
• Follows all Federal, State, County, Local, and District laws, regulations, protocols, and policies including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Attend and successfully complete District and hospital training sessions and drills.
• Participates in overseeing operational readiness and cleanliness of apparatus and equipment.
• Performs other duties as directed by District Staff in accordance with the EMS Division.
• Participate in all assigned training.
• Participate in public education/training efforts.
• Serve as a mentor/trainer of new employees.
• Attend District and County meetings as directed.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of an extensive background investigation, including polygraph, Team test, a psychological evaluation, a thorough medical examination, and pre-employment drug screening. The minimum education or experience requirements may be modified at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief. The following minimum qualifications are required:

1. Must possess a high school diploma or GED
2. Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of California Paramedic License California at time of conditional offer
3. ACLS certification
4. A current Health Care Provider CPR certification
5. Current PALS or PEPP certification
6. Current PHTLS or ITLS certification
7. Must possess a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) issued within the last 24 months
8. Must be accredited as an EMT-P by the Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Agency prior to completion of District EMS Academy

Highly desirable qualifications:

• Ambulance work experience
• College degree from an accredited university
• California State Fire Marshal Accredited Firefighter I Academy
• California State Fire Marshal Training Courses

Single Role Paramedics will be expected to participate in the Reserve Firefighter (Volunteer) Program.

Knowledge Of:

• Applicable Federal, State, County, Local, and District regulations, practices, and procedures
• Principles of emergency ambulance and transportation procedures including first aid, resuscitator, and gurney operations, including safe emergency work practices
• Infectious disease control procedures
• Emergency radio communication procedures
• Medical terminology and documentation
• Emergency vehicle maintenance and operation

Ability To:

• Read electronic and incident maps and follow map directions
• Work effectively in difficult and hazardous emergency situations and environments and carry out work assignments as instructed
• Safely and properly transport patients during ambulance transportation
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate effectively with the public and fellow employees

Physical Requirements:

• Maintain physical ability and stamina to meet position tasks and responsibilities. Physical abilities must commensurate with the essential functions of the position.
• Operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain factors
• Spend extensive time outside exposed to the elements
• Work in wet, icy, or muddy areas
• Perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as on roadways
• Work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries are possible
• Face exposure due to working in proximity to emergency scenes where carcinogenic dust such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, acids, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents are present either through inhalation or skin contact
• Face exposure to infectious agents such as but not limited to Hepatitis B or HIV
• Wear designated personal protective equipment while performing essential functions
• Perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies
• Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration
• Face life and death decision during emergency conditions
• Exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims
• Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods
• Operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, and in enclosed or confined spaces
• Rely on senses of sight, hearing, smells, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety