Emergency Medical Technician- Basic

Position Summary:

Provide pre-hospital emergency care to sick or injured persons within Kent County and surrounding areas. The EMT-Basic provides medical care and treatment to individuals who are ill and/or injured. Responsibilities also include data entry, preparation and maintenance of records and reports relating to emergency care administered.  Work is performed with considerable technical independence and is evaluated in terms of the applications of approved techniques, safety, and skilled operations of equipment in transporting patients to hospitals or other locations of emergency care.

Essential Functions:

• Provides immediate response and emergency assessment and care to any person within the Kent County service area.
• Under the direct supervision of the Jurisdictional Medical Director, shall provide BLS services including assessment, treatment and accompany persons to area hospitals that are at risk of serious injury or death as a result of illness, injury, or serious trauma.
• Ability to work independently under the direction of an Advanced Life Support clinician.
• Establishes calm communication with patient and/or those calling for assistance; quickly determines the source of injury or illness to apply effective treatment protocols.
• Transports patient to appropriate hospitals.
• Communicates with hospital personnel while on scene or en-route as needed; provides current status upon arrival.
• Operates emergency vehicle in a safe manner in routine and emergency situations.
• Writes reports for each call with details of the medical emergency and actions taken.
• Participates in continuing education training to maintain certifications.
• Maintains, cleans, and restocks emergency vehicles; performs daily checks to ensure readiness.
• Performs general housekeeping activities at the station.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Communications Skills: Ability to quickly establish effective communications with patients, family or friends and other first responders in dangerous or emotional situations.  Ability to write clearly and informatively; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Customer Service: Represents the department professionally and effectively in both internal and external interactions. Manages  challenging situations successfully. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of cultural background, status, or position.  Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views.
• Innovation and Change Management Skills: Displays original thinking and creativity.  Develops innovative approaches and ideas.  Presents ideas and information in a manner that is easily understood.  Understands and contributes to evolving processes in response to changing communities and advances in technology.
• Technical Skills: Effectively uses emergency radio equipment and standard Emergency Medical equipment.
• Additional Requirements, must:
  • Be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire,
  • Be able to operate emergency vehicles in accordance with county and state driving procedures and Basic Life Support Standard Operating Procedures.

Education and Experience: 

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Valid Maryland Class C Driver’s License (or equivalent from another state) and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Maryland Emergency Medical Technician-Basic certification
• Eighteen months field experience (preferred)
• Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Hazard Materials Operations certification
• Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Emergency Vehicle Operators Course completion or equivalent EVOC,
• National Incident Management System-100, 200, 700, 800 certifications,
• CPR-Healthcare Providers certification

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in a variety of settings that can include extreme weather, blood or airborne pathogens, cramped areas, bodies of water, fumes or odors, or traffic accident scenes.  Work requires the use of protective clothing or gear (PPE).  The position requires extensive physical exertion such as lifting and moving heavy objects (up to 100 pounds), bending, climbing steps, or assuming awkward positions.  Work requires carrying medical equipment. Frequently required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

This position has been designated as an ESSENTIAL POSITION and may be required to report to or remain on duty when County offices are closed due to inclement weather or for other reasons. An employee in this position may be required to work shift work, overtime, weekends, and holidays and/or remain on standby for a call back to work.

Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.