Sample Position Description—Transport Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

Position Description

• Practices in accordance with philosophy, policies, procedures, and stan­dards of the hospital; functions within the guidelines of the protocols for the transport program that are reviewed and agreed on by medical and nursing directors.

• Provides family-centered care to meet family needs including psycho­social support, education, and transfer planning in conjunction with referral staff.

• Participates in the educational and professional development of transport team members.

• Represents the hospital to health care professionals in referring hospitals.

• Maintains effective communication with community EMS system, referral staff, and families.

• Initiates and participates in educational, research, professional, and orga­nizational activities that contribute to improving patient care, the transport program operation, and the individual’s own professional development.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to:

• Medical director of the transport program for supervision and guidance in expanded role function.

• MCP as designated for medical supervision concerning the management of individual neonatal and pediatric patients during transport.

• Transport director, or designee, for clinical and administrative aspects of practice. In cases in which EMS services are outsourced, the emergency medical technician (EMT) may report to the EMS director of the con­tracted service.

Requirements

1. Requires knowledge of state and regional EMS codes and regulations.

2. Emergency vehicle operator certification.

3. State licensure as an EMT.

4. Computer literacy.

5. Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills at EMS, staff, patient, and family levels.

Responsibilities and Duties

I. Patient care activities

A. Assists in obtaining pertinent maternal, neonatal, and pediatric histories, if required.

B. Handles multiple tasks, and is self-directed.

C. Speaks clearly and concisely over the radio and telephone.

D. Performs in accordance with regional and program standing orders, and accurately documents delivery of care.

1. Ensures patient and transport team safety in the transport process.

2. Completes documentation in an accurate and timely manner, and transfers care of the patient to the receiving hospital staff.

3. Assists with patient care activities within scope of practice, such as spinal immobilization, oxygen therapy, and cardio­pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

II. Education

A. Contributes to community outreach and education.

B. Assists in the assessment of staff developmental needs, and partici­pates actively in plans to meet those needs.

C. Participates in teaching or coordination of in-service classes or workshops for the transport staff.

D. Serves as a preceptor in the training of future transport team members.

III. Operation of transport equipment

A. Demonstrates knowledge of operation of all ambulance equipment, and ensures proper functioning before transport.

B. Participates in the ongoing evaluation of transport equipment needs. Reports and documents transport equipment repairs as needed to biomedical engineering.

C. Demonstrates knowledge of ambulance operating procedures and safety practices.

IV. Special assignments/project responsibilities

A. Assists in the emergency department or other clinical areas on request within scope of practice and employment.

B. Performs the following transport quality improvement activities:

1. Maintains, supports, and documents evidence of a planned, systematic quality improvement program that includes effec­tive mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating patient care.

2. Ensures appropriate and adequate response to findings from quality improvement activities.

3. Maximizes the efficient use of resources available to provide neonatal-pediatric transports.

4. Identifies opportunities to improve care.

V. Leadership

1. Initiates and participates in the implementation of change in transport EMT policies, procedures, and/or practice to enhance the quality of patient care.

2. Participates with transport staff in problem identification, goal setting, and transport care delivery evaluation.

3. Uses previous clinical experience and knowledge to identify potential patient care problems related to transport.

4. Serves as a resource or consultant to nursing and medical staff regarding prehospital and EMS aspects of neonatal and pediat­ric transport.

VI. Professional accountability

1. Demonstrates continued professional growth through continu­ing education and review of current literature pertaining to neonatal-pediatric transport.

2. Maintains licensure, certifications, and competency through required training and/or education.

3. Maintains professional relationships with other health care professionals and the EMS community.

4. Participates in peer review of the transport team members and case reviews with the medical director.

VII. Research

A. Cooperates and/or collaborates with other health care team mem­bers in the conduct of research studies.

VIII. Physical capabilities

1. Frequently requires sitting, standing, and walking for long peri­ods. Requires bending, crouching, and kneeling. Requires use of hands, keyboarding, fine motor skills, frequent lifting up to 50 lb, occasional moving up to 250 lb. Must be able to work in small confined spaces and be able to work in a mobile environment.

2. There is a potential for regular exposure to patients with infec­tious diseases requiring observance of appropriate precautions.

3. Flexible working hours required to provide 24 hour/day, 7 day/ week coverage, including rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and on call.

4. Dependability in regard to attendance at work, team meetings, EMT meetings, committee meetings, etc.

IX. Environmental conditions

Indoor and outdoor environments with possible exposure to infec­tious, biological, and chemical agents. Occasionally requires working in proximity to sources of radiation. Work area includes enclosed spaces such as ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes. Work environ­ment commonly provides exposure to high noise levels.

5.