EMT Ambulance Driver-Life Flight Ground Unit

The MetroHealth System, Cuyahoga County’s public health system, and its staff of nearly 8,000 provides care at MetroHealth’s four hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers and 40 additional sites throughout Cuyahoga County. The health system is home to Cuyahoga County’s most experienced Level I Adult Trauma Center, verified since 1992, and Ohio’s only adult and pediatric trauma and burn center.  As an academic medical center, MetroHealth is committed to teaching and research. Each active staff physician holds a faculty appointment at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Our main campus hospital houses a Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school of science and health. The MetroHealth System is committed to creating a healthier community.

Summary: 

Participates in the care of patients, as guided by Life Flight RN’s and Paramedics, and within the scope of the EMT-B role. Maintains compliance with Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) requirements and all associated documentation. Demonstrates age-specific competencies in the care of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school aged, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Operates under the direction of the Metro Life Flight Medical Director and protocols set forth by The Metro Health System (MHS). Complies with the policies and procedures of MHS. Upholds the mission, vision, values, and customer service standards of MHS

 Responsibilities:

Clinical Practice
a. Works collaboratively within the Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Critical Care Transport teams to provide direct patient care to ill and injured pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients
b. Adheres to sterile technique standards, universal precautions related to safe handling of hazardous wastes, and body substance precautions.
c. Demonstrates proficiency in the following skills:
i. Oxygen administration
ii. Selective spinal immobilization
iii. Non-invasive vital sign measurement (e.g., blood pressure, pulse oximetry)
iv. Patient handling and moving
v. Basic airway management and bag valve mask ventilation
vi. Bleeding control and wound dressing
vii. Basic splinting procedures
d. Works collaboratively with and communicates pertinent information to the Metro Life Flight (MLF) medical staff and other team members as assigned.
e. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, peace officers, and pre-hospital personnel within the communities we serve.
f. Safely operates transport vehicle(s) and ensures a safe environment for patient and other healthcare workers in and around Metro Life Flight vehicles. This includes monitoring weather conditions, proper restraint of equipment, fluid levels, lights, sirens, radios, cellular phone functioning. Works with Flight Communications Office (FCO) and the Chief Flight Nurse to ensure all mechanical deficiencies are corrected.
g. Ensures maintenance and checks adequate stock of supplies aboard transport vehicle and restocks after each transport.
h. Completes daily base assignments and participates in special projects, as assigned.
i. Maintains patient safety and confidentiality at all times.
j. Assists with transporting patients in and out of vehicle.
k. Performs all other duties as assigned, including assisting the Emergency Departments as needed.

2. Education
a. Maintains current knowledge of transport standards and responsibilities.
b. Attends a minimum of 60% of scheduled staff meetings and ensures that meeting minutes have been read if not in attendance.
c. Attends a minimum of 50% of case review conferences.
d. Completes all required clinical practice/competencies assigned.
e. Perform techniques and medical procedures via human patient simulators as required to maintain skill levels
f. Maintains current knowledge of basic life support standards and responsibilities.

3. Teamwork
a. Assists in upholding ground transport safety guidelines.
b. Acts as a patient advocate.
c. Functions as a resource to and/or may orient newly hired paramedics and EMT-B drivers as assigned.
d. Assists in the Emergency Department during down time as necessary (i.e. transport non-monitored patient, restock, vital signs, answer call lights, etc.)

4. Customer Relations
a. Assists with putting away supplies into storage areas.
b. Discards soiled linen and supplies after every examination; wipes the EMS stretcher down and prepares the stretcher for a new patient.
c. Helps EMS clean medical equipment after patient use.
d. Serves on committees and participates in activities within the department.
e. Reinforces patient education.
f. Provides EMS leadership with EMS patient care quality/performance accolades and concerns.
g. Provides EMS personnel with patient updates as requested and necessary.
h. Helps maintain the EMS room cleanliness and the restocking of snacks as available.
i. Helps maintain the EMS room communication board and quality/performance communication as it relates to STEMI, stroke, and trauma.

5. Ground Operations
a. Cleans and maintains the ambulance interior and equipment according to infection control guidelines.
b. Ensures the safety of patients transported.
c. Returns call to FCO for ground within 60 seconds and responds/prepares for transport immediately.
d. Uses radio for communications while following MLF policies for communications.
e. Works collaboratively with communication specialists and other MLF personnel.

Qualifications:

Required:
High school diploma or passage of a high school equivalency exam.
Current Ohio certification as an EMT-Basic or higher.
Successfully completed the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) or Certified Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) or successfully completes within 1 month of hire.
Minimum one-year experience as an active paramedic or EMT-B in an EMS service.
Current and valid Ohio Driver’s License.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to speak both assertively and sensitively to a variety of populations in stressful situations.
BLS Certification from the AHA.
Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred:
Experience in EMS operations, customer service, quality, and performance improvement.

Physical Requirements:
May sit, stand, stoop, bend, and ambulate intermittently during the day.
May need to sit or stand for extended periods.
See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Ability to pull, push or pick up more than 50 pounds.
Ability to carry equipment.
Ability to assist with patient movement.
Ability to work comfortably in a confined area for long periods of time.
Ability to ride in the back of ground transport vehicles for long periods of time