THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO POSITION DESCRIPTION - PDF

							                            THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO

                                          POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION:               ADVANCED CARE PARAMEDIC                       REFERENCE NO:                  R00981

DEPARTMENT:             COMMUNITY HEALTH                              EVALUATION DATE:

DIVISION:               EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES                    MAINTENANCE DATE:

REPORTS TO:             SUPERVISOR, OPERATIONS                        UNION:          CUPE 791
                        (EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES)
                                                                      NEW: October 6, 2000


GENERAL PURPOSE:

         To function in the interchangeable roles of advanced patient care provider and driver while providing
         out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation for ill and injured persons, to, from, and
         between treatment facilities, utilizing specially equipped vehicles.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

         Ensures punctuality in reporting for work assignments in proper uniform and fit for duty. Adheres to
         all provincial and local policies, procedures, legislation and regulations related to employment with the
         Regional Municipality of Waterloo and safely providing Emergency Medical Services.

         Provides effective patient assessment, primary and advanced care in accordance with the most current
         version of applicable Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) Standards.
         Administers medical interventions deemed necessary by the Base Hospital and the Region, including
         comprehensive intravenous and drug therapy, endotracheal intubation, manual defibrillation, cardiac
         dysrhythmia interpretation, and other procedures according to provincial and local standards and
         protocols.

         Safely and appropriately operates ambulances and emergency response vehicles in accordance with
         applicable legislation, local policy, street knowledge and due regard for weather and traffic conditions.
          Provides safe and transportation to, from, and between treatment facilities, ensuring proper restraint of
         ill or injured persons, staff, other passengers, equipment and supplies.

         Responds to all calls without delay. Maintains contact with the appropriate Central Ambulance
         Communications Centre (CACC) at all times regarding the status, location and movement of
         ambulances/emergency response vehicles. Complies with direction from the CACC regarding vehicle
         movements. Ensures CACC is notified whenever a vehicle is removed from service for repair or
         maintenance, or involved in an accident.

         Interacts with other employees, members of the health care team, allied emergency care providers, the
         public and patients, in a professional and supportive manner.




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         Provides a detailed patient report to medical staff upon arrival at hospital. Prepares various written
         and/or electronic reports as required and in a timely manner, including, but are not limited to,
         Ambulance Call Reports for every patient contact, Incident/Occurrence Reports, Personal Injury/Body
         Fluids Exposure Reports, Accident Reports, Operational Activity Reports and other related
         documentation. Separates, sorts and distributes appropriate copies as required by provincial and local
         policy and regulations.

         Attends mandatory training programs, continuing medical education and divisional training programs.
          Participates in public relations programs and all divisional quality assurance activities, as well as
         those conducted by the Province and Base Hospital program.

         Ensures vehicles and equipment are maintained in a fully stocked, clean and sanitary, mechanically
         safe state of readiness, in accordance with provincial and local standards. Ensures that the vehicle
         patient compartment and any used medical equipment are properly cleaned, and that supplies are
         restocked immediately after each call. Reports any deficiencies with regards to the vehicle, equipment
         and supplies to the on-duty supervisor, and assists in corrective action where qualified.

         Conducts routine housekeeping duties at work sites. Checks, maintains and stocks ambulance stations
         as required.

         Performs other related duties as required.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIAL/FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

         Ensures that Regional vehicles and equipment are operated in a manner conducive with
         manufacturers= recommendations and Regional policy.

         Ensures controlled drugs are secured at all times, and that their use is recorded as per legislation.

         Ensures that supplies are used in a cost-effective and appropriate manner.

         Authorized to use a vehicle P-Card to purchase fuel, fluids, or minor repairs when travelling outside
         the Region (with a limit of $200 per transaction and $1,000 monthly). Ensures that P-Cards are used
         according to Regional policy.




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NATURE & IMPACT OF ERROR:

         Failure to arrive punctually for scheduled shifts could result in the division being unable to provide any
         required emergency service, resulting in danger to the well being and safety of the public, and serious
         impact on the credibility of the service provided by Emergency Medical Services.

         Failure to follow proper and safe operating procedures could result in injury or death to staff and/or a
         member of the general public which could result in legal action against the Region, as well as
         potentially costly damage to equipment and the working environment.

         Failure to follow proper patient care guidelines and standards could result in increased patient
         morbidity and possibly death. Resulting litigation could result in major financial loss and liability to
         the Region, very long term consequences, and negative public image.


RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISION OF STAFF & OTHER:

         Participates in the training/precepting of Co-Op and Advanced/Primary Care Paramedic students.
         While acting as a preceptor, is directly responsible for the actions of student paramedics. Provides all
         support and direction required.

CONTACTS & HUMAN RELATIONS:

a)       Internal:

         Has continuous contact with other Paramedics and support staff, as well as regular contact with the on-
         duty supervisor and EMS administrative support staff. Occasional contact with the Manager,
         Operations (EMS); Manager, Training and Quality Programs (EMS); and Director, Emergency
         Medical Services on a variety of issues. Has contact with Fleet Services staff regarding vehicle
         repairs.

b)       External:

         Has close contact with the Central Ambulance Communications Centre, Base Hospital, area hospitals
         and other health care facilities, neighbouring ambulance services and Med-Lift providers, and other
         emergency services for the purpose of exchanging information.




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EFFORT (Mental, Physical):

         Workload is dependent on unscheduled calls for service received from the public by the Central
         Ambulance Communications Centre. Work is performed in accordance with Regional and divisional
         policies and procedures, various Provincial policies, guidelines and related standards and legislation.
         Advanced Care procedures are performed to established protocols with additional medical direction
         received by radio or telephone.

         Normally functions under limited supervision as part of a two Paramedic team in the interchangeable
         roles of patient care provider and driver. Ensures that patient care is appropriate and meets all required
         standards, regardless of which team member is in the lead patient care role; as the most senior health
         care provider, has authority to override decisions or recommendations made by a Primary Care
         Paramedic. When functioning in a AFirst Response@ role, operates independently as the sole patient
         care provider in an ambulance or emergency response vehicle.

         Regularly deals with serious illness, injury and death. Ceases resuscitation efforts in field
         pronouncement of death, as required and/or directed. Makes decisions dealing with sensitive and
         emotional issues affecting the safety and well-being of staff and the public, often with far-reaching
         consequences and resulting in cumulative build up of stress.

         Work requires heavy visual and auditory concentration for prolonged periods when driving and
         especially during emergency responses. Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are required to
         drive a vehicle, use a personal computer, start intravenous lines, mix medications, operate
         communications and patient care equipment. Performing multiple tasks simultaneously is a common
         requirement. Work is subject to sitting for prolonged periods in a vehicle, standing, or working in
         confined spaces for extended periods of time, depending on call type.

         Regularly called upon for heavy physical effort such as lifting and carrying patients and equipment.
         The use of help or mechanical aids is often prevented by the congested nature of the call location.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

         Performs patient assessment, care and transportation duties in potentially any location, including the
         back of a moving vehicle. Travels during assigned shifts and responds to routine or emergency calls in
         either an ambulance or an emergency response vehicle. Trips are generally within Waterloo, but
         duration and frequency will vary from shift to shift, and often includes transportation beyond regional
         boundaries. Performs office duties from either the normal ambulance station office setting or hospital
         charting areas.

         Work regularly exposes the incumbent to various weather conditions, odours, blood and body fluids,
         infectious disease, noise, and moving equipment. Often works in congested quarters at a call site and
         in a transport vehicle.

         Works rotating shifts throughout a 24-hour, seven day a week emergency medical service, including
         weekends and statutory holidays.

         Work is subject to constant change to accommodate emergency or priority situations. Overtime due to
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         early and late calls is often required, and mandatory in emergency situations.




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SKILL:

a)       Knowledge:

         Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant with Base Hospital certification as an Advanced Care
         Paramedic. Requires current certification in CPR, valid Class “F” Ontario Driver’s Licence, and all
         other Advanced Care Paramedic requirements detailed in the Ambulance Act.

         Good knowledge and competency of Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support standards,
         relevant policies and procedures, legislation and regulations as they pertain to day-to-day Emergency
         Medical Services operations.

         Good map reading abilities and continued efforts towards enhancing local geographic knowledge,
         combined with professional driving skills in compliance with the Highway Traffic Act.

         Ability to work under stressful situations, assess the needs of the patient, and exercise sound
         judgement in an emergency environment.

         High level of communication and human relations skills in order to readily develop rapport with
         members of the public, including the patient, their family or friends, and/or witnesses, who may be
         distressed, uncooperative, verbally and/or physically abusive; to gather information needed to assess
         the situation; to provide a detailed patient report to medical staff; and to participate as an effective
         team member.

         Ability to adapt to changing technology in the work environment.

         Must provide an acceptable Police Records Check in order to ensure suitability for working with
         vulnerable populations.

         Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.

b)       Language Communication (Written & Verbal):

         Ability to read and interpret applicable acts and legislation, periodicals, policies and procedures, policy
         manuals, and internal communications.

         Ability to produce legible Ambulance Call Reports, accident, incident and other reports as required.

         Ability to effectively and professionally communicate with team members in person and utilizing
         radio/telephone communications, and in person with members of the public. Ability to provide
         medical information in a non-technical manner to the patient and members of the public.




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Position Incumbent:
                      Name


         Signature           Date




Supervisor                   Manager, Employee Services & Systems



Date                         Date



Department Head              Assistant Chief Administrative Officer,
                             Human Resources



Date                         Date




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