Paramedic jobs in Gainesville, FL

Firefighter/EMT - Probation: This is a technical position concerning work in the protection of life and property of an emergency and hazardous nature. Additionally responsible for handling and treatment of patients in a manner conducive to their safety and comfort and adhering to instructions provided by the Medical Director, physicians, nurses or paramedics as established by hospital and County policies and procedures and level of training attained. High school graduate or its equivalent, at least 18 years of Age. State certified Emergency Medical Technician and certified Firefighter, as provided by Florida State statutes. Must have physical examination, prior to employment. Physical requirements as stipulated by Florida Statutes, Chapter 633.34 and satisfy requirements of NFPA 1582. Must possess a valid state of Florida Driver License. EVOC required before operating any County owned vehicles. Florida State Certified Firefighter, Florida State Certified EMT, American Heart Association or Red Cross CPR card, AIDS awareness course. Majority of duties are performed outside at varying heights and elevations in varying terrain with exposure to extreme weather conditions. Operations typically expose employees to a wide variety of adverse or hazardous environments. Employees are exposed to extreme temperature variations, loud noises, fumes, and noxious or airborne particles and potentially hazardous diseases and substances. The employee may occasionally be exposed to explosives, toxins, radiological particles (including mutagens and teratogens), and excessive vibration. Services are performed anywhere inside the particular zone as designated by Marion County Fire Department. This could be a fire station, Marion County streets, forest areas, or private homes. An employee in this position may be required to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise judgment in meeting emergencies. General supervision is received from the Fire Chief, or his authorized representative. Work is performed on a rotating shift basis which may require the highest level of physical exertion and agility on a sustained basis. Emergency work after hours and on holidays may be required. Shift work involved and are 24 hours long. Other employees do this work at the same time at other locations. Firefighter/Paramedic - Probation: This is a technical position concerning work in the protection of life and property of an emergency and hazardous nature. Additionally responsible for handling and treatment of patients in a manner conducive to their safety and comfort and adhering to instructions provided by the Medical Director, physician, nurses or other paramedics as established by hospital and County policies and procedures and level of training attained. High School graduate or its equivalent; at least 18 years of age. State certified Paramedic and certified Firefighter a provided by Florida State statutes. Successful completion of the provisional paramedic program, AIDS awareness course and an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course. Successful completion of a vehicle extrication course within six months of hire. Must have physical examination, prior to employment. Physical requirements as stipulated by Florida Statutes, Chapter 633.34 and satisfy requirements of NFPA 1582. Must possess a valid state of Florida Driver License. EVOC required before operating any County owned vehicles. Florida State Certified Firefighter and Florida State certified Paramedic, American Heart Association or Red Cross CPR certification, and basic and advanced cardiac life support certification. Majority of duties are performed outside at varying heights and elevations in varying terrain with exposure to extreme weather conditions. Operations typically expose employees to a wide variety of adverse or hazardous environments. Employees are exposed to extreme temperature variations, loud noises, fumes, and noxious or airborne particles and potentially hazardous diseases and substances. The employee may occasionally be exposed to explosives, toxins, radiological particles (including mutagens and teratogens), and excessive vibration. Services are performed anywhere inside the particular zone as designated by Marion County Fire Department. This could be a fire station, Marion County streets, forest areas, or private homes. An employee in this position may be required to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise judgment in meeting emergencies. Supervision is received from the station lieutenant or captain, or the District Chief acting as shift supervisor. Work is performed on a rotating shift basis which may require the highest level of physical exertion and agility on a sustained basis. Emergency work after hours and on holidays may be required. Salary to include: 2% cost of living adjustment annually 5% loyalty pay for every 5 year milestone Potential for 2% increase on anniversary hire date with completion of 80 hours of approved course work Learn more about salary and included benefits at ***************************** FIREFIGHTER REQUIREMENT (PARAMEDIC REQUIREMENTS ARE BELOW) JOB SUMMARY Responsible for performing specialized public safety work in the protection of life and property through performance of general fighting duties and responsibilities of an emergency and hazardous nature. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS * Performs Firefighter duties for the protection of life and property. Inspects buildings and facilities and properties for safety hazards upon request of owner or occupant. * Learns, understands, and abides by all Fire Department Standard Operational Guidelines, general orders, and risk management procedures. Participates in training sessions dealing with rescue and emergency situations and maintains a high level of job proficiency. * Takes regular turn in housekeeping of living quarters and maintenance and grounds keeping of the station. * Responds as needed to emergency calls and provides assistance on motor vehicle accidents, structure fires, and wildland fires. * Preforms ALS interventions and transport medical emergencies as needed (if certified as a paramedic). * Operates fire equipment as emergencies and conditions demand. Services and makes repairs to firefighting equipment as assigned, performing such duties as inspecting, cleaning, and testing apparatus daily. * Completes all necessary documentation. * Upon arrival at the scene of a major incident, may be required to lay supply line (fire hose) manually using both hands and pulls supply line from back of firetruck and wraps it around hydrant and visually monitors truck. Manually attaches fire hose to hydrant and manually uses hydrant wrench, turns hydrant to allow water to flow. Physical strength is required to turn on hydrant value. * Reports and receives additional verbal instructions. Pulls 200 feet of pre-connected 1 3/4-inch attack line from side of apparatus and holding line with both hands and advances toward fire. * Assists in the placement of utilization of heavy appliance (a device which allows the flow of large amounts of water.) Lifts line over shoulder and uses physical strength to continually pull line. Upon charging of attack line, proceeds to fire and holds line to fire base, bends, stoops but mainly crawls while inside of structures and pulls line along to put out fires. Due to circumstances of fires will remain inside putting out fires for periods of 15 to 30 minutes on a regular basis. Conducts search and rescue in 2-person teams or may work alone. * Upon emergency notice (an audible alarm) dons emergency safety equipment, weighing 85 pounds and climbs onto apparatus. Based on type of emergency, performs a variety of tasks ranging from extrication, delivering of direct patient care, and firefighting duties. * Extricates by a variety of methods ranging from holding and using rescue saw (weighs 50 pounds), holding and using the rescue tools (weight 75 pounds), and applying physical strength to pry open doors, hoods, and separate heavy metal objects. * Manually uses hux bars, pry bars, and various other forcible entry tools. Remains visually and audibly alert to detect hazards for safety concerns. Remains calm and professional during emergency situations and constantly follows proper safety procedures. * Crawls throughout structure by hand and searches for potential victims. Upon finding persons, physically removes them by dragging or carrying them out of structure to safety. * Performs ventilation of structure by carrying and placing ladders outside of structures. Climbs ladder to point above seat of fire and carries tools with them to designated location. Manually cuts roof open with ax, chainsaw, or rescue saw. Ladders will vary in length depending on structure. Agility and speed are required to reach designated areas and for some emergencies to physically remove victims from roofs or other heights of more than eight (8) feet. * Knows how and when to use alternative water supply source and location of, care of, general maintenance, and usage of fire streams, extinguishing properties of water, types of water pressures, and variety of foam and foam application. * Provides excellent customer service to members of the general public and other County employees. Personal contact occurs with other employees of the unit, employees of other departments in the County, citizens, and customers of the department. Service is provided in person or by phone contact. * Implements the organization's guiding principles and core values. * Performs other related job duties as assigned. SUPERVISION This position has no supervisory responsibility. QUALIFICATIONS FIREFIGHTER I FIREFIGHTER II FIREFIGHTER III FIREFIGHTER IV FIREFIGHTER V Education HS/GED Required HS/GED Required HS/GED Required HS/GED Required with Associate's Degree preferred HS/GED Required with Bachelor's Degree preferred Training Courses Required Successful completion of Emergency Medical Technician Curriculum Successful completion of all requirements of probationary period Successful completion of the following course: 1-100 Incident Management System Successful completion of Paramedic Curriculum (if required by new hire contract) Successful completion of courses for Firefighter I Successful completion of the following courses: Vehicle Extrication I-200 Basic Incident Management Strategy IAFF Hazardous Materials Operations for First Responders or Haz Mat 1/40hr. S-130 Firefighter Training S-190 Introduction Wild Land Fire Behavior Successful completion of the required courses of Firefighter I - II Successful completion of the following courses: Firefighting Tactics and Strategies I BTLS Apparatus Operations Fire Service Hydraulics S-205 Fire Operations in Urban Interface S-330 Task force/Strike Team Leader I-300 Intermediate Incident Management Systems Successful completion of the required courses of Firefighter I - III Successful completion of the following courses: Fire Service Course Delivery Apparatus Operations Firefighting Tactics and Strategies II Company Officer Fire Prevention Practices Private Fire Protection Systems I Farmedic or Industrial Rescue or equivalent PALS or PEP (Medics only) Successful completion of the required courses for Firefighter I - IV Successful completion of the following courses: Emergency Response to Terrorism Bldg. Construction for Fire Service Construction Documents & Plans Review Codes & Standards Rope I Fire Chemistry Experience 1 year 3 years 5 years 8 years 12 years Courses 3 6 13 21 28 Licenses or Certifications: Possession of a valid, State of Florida driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. * EVOC required before operating any County-owned vehicles. * Current State of Florida Certificate of Compliance as Firefighter II. * American Heart Association or Red Cross CPR card and infection control course. * State of Florida certified Emergency Medical Technician certification or State of Florida Certified Paramedic certification. * Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (if certified as paramedic). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES * Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. * Ability to write routine reports. * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and supervisor. * Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardized exists. * Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. * Ability to study manual work processes to determine most effective methods as essential tasks. * Knowledge of fire behavior, the burning process, heat transfer, products of combustion, classification of fires, and the methods used for extinguishment. * Ability to operate and inspect a variety of types of fire extinguishers and how to tie and utilize ropes and knots for equipment and safety. * Knowledge of and understanding of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), types, how and when to use, and inspection and care and safety precautions regarding the SCBA. * Knowledge of a wide variety of methods and procedures of emergency and rescue operations. * Knowledge of basic computer programs and basic skills. * Knowledge of firefighter techniques, methods, and equipment. * Knowledge of ventilation systems, sprinkler systems, and other types of water supplies. * Ability to use ladders when necessary. * Ability to use forcible entry tools, as well as understanding of types, care, maintenance, and safety usage of these tools. * Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergencies. * Ability to operate complex equipment, which requires possession of mechanical aptitude, strength, and ability to do manual and mechanical work under adverse conditions. * Ability to operate heavy emergency equipment safely and efficiently. * Ability to complete correct calculations of engine pressures required for necessary operations. * Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. * Ability to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns. Includes the ability to build a constructive team spirit where team members are committed to the goals and objectives of the team. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is very heavy work which requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently be required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, and hear. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in diversified work environments ranging from tasks performed inside assigned station and off-site at emergency scenes. Majority of duties are performed outside at varying heights and elevations in varying terrain with exposure to extreme weather conditions. Operations typically expose employees to a wide variety of adverse or hazardous environments. Employees are exposed to extreme temperature variations, loud noises, fumes, and noxious or airborne particles and potentially hazardous diseases and substances. The employee may occasionally be exposed to explosives, toxins, radiological particles (including mutagens and teratogens), and excessive vibration. Services are performed anywhere inside the particular zone as designated by Marion County Fire Rescue. This could be a fire station, Marion County streets, forest areas, or private homes or businesses. E.O.E. Marion County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services. PARAMEDIC REQUIREMENTS JOB SUMMARY Responsible for performing technical and specialized work functions associated with providing quality medical care to all members of the community in the event of medical emergencies, natural disasters, hazardous situations, environmental emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, and other life and death situations. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS * Responds to emergency calls relayed by dispatchers. Reads maps, drives ambulance to emergency site using the most expeditious route possible, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations. * Evaluates scene on arrival and determines nature and extent of illness or injury. Takes pulse, blood pressure, and visually observes changes in skin colors. Makes determinations regarding patient status by interpreting diagnostic signs. * Establishes priority for emergency care and initiates basic life support and advanced life support procedures at the scene as necessary. * Provides re-hydration/rehabilitation and medical treatment to victims, firefighters, and/or other personnel at the scene as necessary. * Renders appropriate emergency care, based on competency level, to stabilize the patient such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, providing oxygen, triage, and administration of intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by a physician. Assesses the effects of treatment. * Uses medical equipment, based on competency level, such as but not limited to cardiac monitor, defibrillator, performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patients. Uses other adjunct airways as needed under the direction of a physician. * Follows infection disease protocol and practices proper disposal of biohazard waste. * Reassures patients and bystanders. Avoids mishandling patient and undue haste and searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care. * Radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services and requests/provides flight rescue service if required. Provides additional emergency care while following established protocols. * Complies with regulations in handling deceased. Notifies authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene. * Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported. Reports nature of illness to that facility and requests instructions/directions from hospital physician or emergency department. * Observes patient enroute and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department or according to published protocol and identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility. * Reports verbally and in writing observation about and care of patient at the scene and enroute to facility. Provides assistance to emergency staff as required and documents all activity in assigned position. * Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to ambulance and on to a medical facility. * Prepares for, attends, and testifies in courtroom hearings and judicial proceedings as required. * Prepares, decontaminates, inspects, inventories, repairs, and/or maintains medical equipment and supplies, first aid materials, and vehicles for safe operation and tests all equipment on a regular basis and checks for future readiness. * Communicates effectively and coherently over two-way radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications. * Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information/assistance from the general public, patients, fire, law enforcement, other medical personnel, various agencies, employees, officials, supervisors, or other individuals. * Inventories and restocks ambulance and station supplies and equipment. Orders and maintains sufficient amount to ensure adequate availability to perform daily tasks. * Maintains current field manuals, policy and procedures, employee handbooks, various maps, addresses, and related material for reference and/or review. Reads medical journals and other professional literature and maintains professional affiliations. * Attends shift meetings and in-service training as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing emergency medicine techniques, state/local policies, procedures, codes, and laws. * Prepares and/or receives a variety of forms, logs, requests, reports, correspondence, and other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position. Reviews, completes, processes, approves, forwards, maintains, and/or takes other action as appropriate. Prepares and maintains files and records. * Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within county jurisdiction. * Operates a personal computer, printer, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, radio, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software. * Provides excellent customer service to members of the general public and other County employees. Personal contact occurs with other employees of the unit, employees of other departments in the County, citizens, and customers of the department. Service is provided in person or by phone contact. * Implements the organization's guiding principles and core values. * Performs other related job duties as assigned. SUPERVISION This position has no supervisory responsibilities. QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Licenses or Certifications: Possession of a valid, State of Florida driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. * Florida State Certified Paramedic. * American Heart Association or Red Cross CPR certification. * Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. * Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. * Ability to speak effectively one-on-one with customers and employees of the organization. * Ability to perform, addition, subtractions, multiplication, and division. * Ability to calculate decimals and percentages and may include the ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions. * Ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios and may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures. * Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. * Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. * Ability to exercise some judgment in selection of procedures, methods, tools, or equipment to own work to accomplish tasks. * Knowledge of geographical features of Marion County and landmarks, location, and responsibilities of County and State agencies, and the ability to maintain records. * Knowledge of EMS procedures and equipment. * Ability to perform advanced life support skills such as cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, transcutaneous pacing, placement of an advanced airway, including endotracheal intubation, initiation of intravenous access, administration of medications and fluid replacement under the direction of a physician. * Ability to perform basic life support such as CPR, bandaging, splinting, ventilation using an adjunct airway, cervical spine immobilization under the direction of the Medical Director. * Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and to remain calm during emergencies. The work is very heavy work which requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be required to handle, hear, kneel, lift, reach, speak, stand, walk, and stoop. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor environments. While performing the duties of the job, the employee will have exposure to extreme weather conditions. Operations typically expose employees to a wide variety of adverse or hazardous environments. Extreme temperature variations, loud noises, fumes, and noxious or airborne particles, vibrations, and potentially hazardous diseases and substances is possible. Marion County has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment