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: 

Performs direct patient care duties under the direction of a Physician and as assigned by a Registered Nurse. Performs administrative, clerical, and clinical duties as assigned. Complies with the policies and procedures of The MetroHealth System. Maintains patient safety and patient confidentiality at all times. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of care that reflects the patient’s condition, treatment, and response to care. Upholds the mission, vision, values, and customer service standards of The MetroHealth System.

Responsibilities:

Contributes to patient safety by:

a. Providing a safe environment for patients.

b. Reporting safety concerns, errors and near misses.

c. Participating in system improvement initiatives to prevent errors.

d. Providing evidence-based care as applicable to the role.

1. Patient Monitoring and Care

a. Obtains/records/updates vital signs according to established guidelines.

b. Initiates cardiac monitoring; identifies dysrhythmias and notifies the Registered Nurse or Physician.

c. Monitors assigned patients and reports unusual conditions to the Registered Nurse.

d. Obtains peak flow measurements.

e. Maintains sterile techniques and universal precautions.

2. Patient Intervention

a. Performs the following procedures according to current Lippincott guidelines:

1. Administering enemas.

2. Inserting urinary catheters.

3. Inserting/maintaining gastric tubes (including Nasogastric and Orogastric, or NG/OG).

4. Performing oral/nasal/endotracheal (ET) tube suctioning.

b. Responds to trauma and medical resuscitations as assigned.

c. Performs standard 12 lead electrocardiographs (ECGs).

d. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

e. Performs phlebotomy; collects and labels ordered specimens per hospital policy.

f. Initiates and maintains peripheral IVs (including external jugular site IVs), including making assessments for patency and infiltration.

g. Performs ultrasound-guided intravenous access according to established Emergency Department guidelines as assigned.

h. Inserts intraosseous devices (i.e. to the tibia/humerus).

i. Applies orthopedic devices, including but not limited to: cervical collars, ace wraps, air splints, knee immobilizers, slings, finger splints, and wrist splints.

j. Sizes crutches and teaches crutch-walking.

k. Applies splints as ordered.

l. Maintains spinal immobilization.

m. Applies restraints/seclusion as ordered.

n. Assists with equipment setup and procedures as assigned.

o. Performs post-mortem care.

p. For Cleveland Heights and Parma locations: Demonstrates airway management and advanced skill intervention, including endotracheal and/or use of supra glottis devices such as the King Airway or I Gel.

3. Transfer of Care

a. Escorts patients to examination rooms and prepares patients for evaluation.

b. Facilitates the transfer of care between the EMS providers and Emergency Department staff.

c. Transports patients according to hospital policy

d. Participates in change-of-shift reports.

4. Medication Administration

a. Administers medications within the Paramedic scope of practice as outlined by the Emergency Department’s Paramedic Medication Administration Policy.

b. Initiates oxygen therapy (i.e. nasal cannula, mask, bag-valve-mask ventilation).

5. Administrative/Clerical/Clinical

a. Maintains required hospital and Emergency Department competencies/certifications within set time frames to ensure compliance.

b. Stocks supplies in patient care areas, including but not limited to: trauma bays, patient rooms, IV boats, I&D boats, GYN carts, suture carts, ENT carts, and eye carts.

c. Assists with putting away supplies into storage areas.

d. Conducts inventory of patient belongings upon admission, and completes appropriate forms.

e. Discards soiled linen and supplies after every examination; wipes the stretcher down and prepares the stretcher for a new patient.

f. Cleans medical equipment after patient use.

g. Serves on committees and participates in activities within the department.

h. Reinforces patient education.

6. Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

a. Collaborates with Physicians, Nurses, and other members of the health care team to address individual patient care issues, supporting the process of mutual information sharing, discussion, and decision making.

b. Collaborates with peers and other members of the health care team to address issues related to unit operations; participates in interdisciplinary performance improvement activities.

7. Performs other functionally related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Other information:


Required:
High school diploma or passage of a high school equivalency exam. Current certification by the State of Ohio as an EMT-Paramedic. Minimum one year of experience as a Paramedic. Must successfully complete the Intermediate EKG test within three months of hire. Must obtain the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within six months of hire. Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) from the AHA and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Preferred:
NonePhysical 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 lift 250-300 pounds with assistance. Ability to push/pull up to 500 pounds with assistance. Requires some exposure to communicable diseases or body fluids. Requires some exposure to chemicals and cleaning products.

Physical Demands: