Position Summary

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay brings help, hope, and healing to people facing serious life challenges or trauma resulting from sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts, and emotional or situational problems.  The Paramedic position supports this mission by responding to all assigned calls in the most appropriate and efficient manner, providing the highest standards of patient care, while providing a safe and hazard-free environment.

Strategic/Transformational Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides exceptional customer service and patient care as the first point of contact with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by safely transporting passengers with medical, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities in a safe, courteous and professional manner.
• Participates in the performance quality improvement (PQI) process and uses data to improve services and outcomes.

Transactional/Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilizes medical equipment and procedures including, but not limited to, defibrillator, EKG monitor, oxygen and suction devices, intravenous fluids, CPR and other procedures and medications as required to provide advanced medical care.
• Develops and utilizes triage skills to provide optimal efficiency during calls.
• Lifts and moves patients utilizing all safety protocols as required to provide optimum care.
• Communicates with receiving facility to receive medical direction and to provide critical information.
• Acts as team leader and takes responsibility for unit management.
• Discerns deviations/changes in eye/skin coloration due to patient's condition and to the treatment given.
• Provides quality patient care utilizing thorough knowledge of protocols for all medical situations.
• Assesses, treats, and transports patients with appropriate techniques, resources and equipment while maintaining the highest standard of patient care.
• Assists and secures passengers as required.
• Maintains radio communication with the Systems Status Controller and responds to calls in an expedited professional manner; follows predetermined route and/or daily manifest.
• Ensures operational excellence by meeting or exceeding the following metrics:
  • Average on task time for a total call from beginning to end is 60 minutes or less.
  • Average receiving facility turnaround time is 20 minutes or less.
• Accurately completes the electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), including observations, emergency medical care of the patient during to the receiving medical facility or other location for purposes of records and diagnostics; includes all insurance information for purposes of billing and reimbursement.
• Communicates professionally and exhibits a positive demeanor with all individuals; strives to develop a strong working relationship with peers and those in the EMS system.
• Completes required initial and ongoing training/continuing education (CEU) courses, as required, to maintain current state and county certifications and licenses; maintains a current copy of licensure, registration and/or certifications with Human Resources.
• Arrives for scheduled shift on time and ready to deploy.
• Conducts pre-trip vehicle inspections to ensure sound vehicle operations; maintains an orderly ambulance and ensures the vehicle and equipment are clean, stocked, organized and response ready.
• Maintains thorough working knowledge of the ambulance and equipment, its function and use, and reports defective equipment and supplies to the Field Operations Supervisor, as required. 
• Maintains a neat and professional appearance at all times in accordance with Company policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Adheres to all Company Policies and Procedures, TransCare Standard Operating Procedures and Medical and Protocol Manual; directs any questions or concerns to the Field Operations Supervisor.
• Performs other such duties as may be assigned by management.

Required Competencies

• Cooperation/Teamwork- Works toward win/win solutions. Deals with conflict collaboratively. Discusses root causes underlying the problem. Develops effective working relationships.
• Engaging Communication - Relates to people in an open, honest, sincere manner. Treats people with respect. Is friendly and approachable. Listens attentively to others. Communicates ideas clearly. Communicates appropriately with leadership and coworkers.
• Customer Service (Internal & External) - Recognizes and attends to important details with accuracy and efficiency. Treats customers courteously and respectfully at all times. Responds to customer requests in a timely manner. Elicits feedback from customers to monitor their satisfaction. Considers both short and long-term interests of the customer in making service decisions. Proactively identifies customer needs. Takes responsibility to resolve customer complaints. Takes business or personal risks to serve customers’ long-term interests. Creates strategies to help the organization serve customers more effectively
• Adaptability - Adapts readily to changes. Works effectively under stress. Needs minimal supervision. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Is reliable, dependable and results-oriented. Maintains productivity and composure under pressure. Effectively prioritizes work and establishes clear goals and plans.
• Problem Solving - Views problems as opportunities to create new solutions.  Anticipates potential problems and analyzes alternative solutions. 
• Judgment - Gathers sufficient input before making decisions. Sees interrelatedness between issues. Considers alternative solutions. Makes appropriate and timely decisions.
• Valuing & Fostering Diversity - Demonstrating respect for individual differences and establishing a climate where all people can be comfortable and productive through sensitivity, empathy, and acceptance of cultural, racial, mental health, and socio-economic diversity.
• Self-Management - Taking of responsibility for one’s behavior and well-being; Working effectively under stress and adapting one’s style to changing situations; Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and needs minimal supervision; Exhibiting a professional demeanor.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Possess current Florida Paramedic certification.
• Possess current Florida Class E driver’s license with acceptable driving history.
• Possess current AHA, BLS and ACLS Certifications, or equivalent.
• Attain Hillsborough County PTC license upon employment and maintain current license.
• Successfully complete Department of Transportation physical examination, federal criminal background screening and 10 panel drug screening upon conditional offer of employment
• Successfully complete current FEMA ICS 100, 200 and 700 and Baker Act Training within 14 days of employment.
• Successfully complete Emergency Vehicle Operators (EVOC) training and test within 14 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Florida Chapter 401.
• Knowledge of HIPPA requirements as it relates to patient confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the Baker Act as it relates to TransCare Transportation Services.
• Knowledge of EMS radio system and operations.
• Possess superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with patients, community partners, clients, peers and management.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and stress response and methods to ensure personal well-being
• Ability to act effectively in stressful situations.
• Knowledge of body substance isolation; understands basic medical-legal principles.
• Ability to physically restrain violent psychiatric patients and lift a stretcher with a patient.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable policies and procedures.
• Ability to determine work priorities and insure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to wear and maintain uniform.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Physical Requirements:

• Unimpaired Mobility: Must be able to respond quickly to ambulance calls, must physically be able to access patients located in various environments and locations, must be able to climb stairs and other structures, must be able to work in extreme environments, must be able to carry heavy equipment and patients.
• Physical Abilities: Must be able to perform strenuous physical requirements, including without limitation, lifting and moving of heavy equipment and patients in a variety of environmental conditions, perform CPR and other lifesaving maneuvers.  
• Fine Motor Skills: Must be able to perform required medical skills and techniques, including without limitation, bandaging, splinting and establishing an IV, performing endotracheal intubation and other advanced airway techniques, manual defibrillation, pleural decompression.
• Vision: Must have correctable vision that permits the safe operation of emergency vehicles, the reading of gauges, fine print and figures associated with medical care and treatment.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear sufficiently to obtain information provided by patients, family members, bystanders, medical professionals and other personnel; and adequate hearing necessary to provide care and treatment in active, distracting environments.
• Speech: Must be able to speak and enunciate clearly and at a level audible to others in any environment or condition. Must be able to verbally communicate in stressful and distracting environments with patients, family members, medical professionals and other emergency personnel.

Working Conditions: Duties are performed primarily in a driving environment.  Operates company vehicles designed with seats, benches, and stretchers.  Occasional exposure to extreme environmental conditions and possible exposure to blood and other body fluids.  Employee regularly works outdoors.

Travel: Travel is limited to local day travel; primary functions are completed in an ambulance, medical transport vehicle or in a medical facility.

Hours: 6:00pm - 6:00am, A/B Rotation. TransCare is open 365 days/year, 24 hours/day. Employee should be available and willing to work varying shift hours as assigned to include nights, weekends and holidays.  Employee may be re-called to duty in the event of a declared disaster or emergency.

Join Us!

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. We want you to be YOU, and you’re encouraged to apply today!