EMT-PARAMEDIC

Paramedic Job Description and Characteristics

A paramedic functions as the most extensively trained primary care provider in the pre-hospital setting. The paramedic is responsible for all aspects of care provided to the sick and injured. The paramedic provides both basic and advanced life support, including comprehensive patient assessment, invasive airway management, cardiac monitoring and administration of medications. The paramedic is frequently in a leadership role working with a small team of lesser-trained prehospital care providers. The paramedic is responsible for verbal communication with the patient, other prehospital providers and hospital personnel, including physician medical directors. The paramedic completes extensive written documentation on patient condition and treatment provided, and must understand all applicable legal, moral and ethical issues surrounding emergency medical service. The paramedic must be dedicated to continued learning through continuing education and maintenance of licensures and certifications.

The paramedic must be a confident leader who can accept the challenge and high degree of responsibility entailed in this position. The paramedic must have excellent judgment, be able to prioritize decisions and act quickly in the best interest of the patient. The paramedic must be able to function independently at an optimum level in a non-structured environment that is constantly changing. The paramedic must be able to remain calm while working in difficult and stressful situations, and stay focused while assuming the leadership role inherent in carrying out the functions of the position. Good judgment is essential in directing other team members to assist as needed, along with advanced knowledge, technical skills. The paramedic must possess excellent verbal communication skills and be capable of adapting to situations with violence and emotional instability in multicultural settings. The paramedic must possess critical reasoning and math skills and be capable of applying them effectively in stressful situations. Self motivation is essential.