6B30
FIRE SERVICE PARAMEDIC EXPOSURE CONTROL OFFICER

This is emergency medical services work as the staff technical expert in the operations and administration of an exposure control program for Fire Service Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians in the Fire Department. The employee has command responsibility for paramedics and emergency response employees at the scene of infectious control incidents. The employee in this class responds to emergency fire and medical scenes where Fire Service Paramedics and Firefighters have suffered potential exposures to infectious disease, investigates and evaluates the exposure incident, directs the appropriate actions and monitors all follow-up treatment based on applicable departmental regulations and protocols and Federal, State and local laws and regulations. As a significant aspect of this work, the incumbent develops and updates the department's exposure control plan and pertinent procedural directives and infection control protocols to insure compliance with all applicable Federal regulations and guidelines and State Law.

Work is performed under the general supervision of an administrative superior.

• The employee must serve as the staff technical expert in the operations and administration of an exposure control program for the Fire Department.
• The employee has command responsibility for paramedics and emergency response employees at the scene of infectious control incidents.
• Only one position will be allocated to this class.

• Responds to emergency fire and medical scenes to investigate exposure incidents; directs the activities of paramedics and emergency response employees at the scene; determines severity of exposure and directs appropriate medical treatment and follow-up, and contacts private hospitals to request necessary contagious disease testing of transport patients in conformance with Federal and State Law; communicates with hospitals and other agencies to improve interagency coordination in and control of exposure incidents interviews and counsels exposed employees.
• Develops a departmental exposure control and infection control plan, policies and protocol for infectious disease exposures; revises the Department's exposure control plan annually or as needed; reports necessary changes to departmental authorities; implements a program for exposure evaluation, treatment, medical follow-up and documentation of exposures for emergency response employees in the Fire Department; monitors compliance by employees, City treating facilities and outside hospitals with department infection control policies and the requirements of Federal OSHA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ryan-White standards, Pennsylvania Act 148 and other laws and regulations; evaluates work practices and personal protective equipment for paramedic operations; develops and implements universal precautions, and work practice controls designed to eliminate or minimize risk of employee exposure; assists in the evaluation of new personal protective equipment and products relating to infection control; implements and supervises the Department's PPD and paramedic immunization programs to ensure compliance with all applicable Federal regulations and guidelines and State Law.
• Serves as a liaison with medical facilities, OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, various city agencies and the Public Health Officer to ensure compliance; evaluates EMS procedures to improve infection control practices; assists medical facilities in the notification, reporting and adherence to required medical prophylactic measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Establishes and maintains confidential exposure, immunization and necessary medical history records for Fire Service Paramedics and Firefighters; provides exposed employees with all required notifications; prepares reports on exposure and infection control activities for departmental administrative superior and Office of Risk Management; compiles statistical data on exposure incidents; insures reporting and documentation of employee exposures.
• Reviews, develops, and coordinates education and training programs with EMS Training Unit to ensure that required infection control training programs are current and on going; develops and coordinates an annual training program in exposure avoidance for uniformed employees; identifies training needs through field compliance monitoring and on scene investigations of exposure incidents; provides periodic specialized training to departmental supervisors, training personnel, and emergency responders on changes to the exposure control plan.
• Reviews current literature on infection control relative to Fire/Rescue operations and updates the exposure control plan and emergency practices as needed.
• Advises the Fire Department's Administration, the City's Office of Risk Management and Departmental Safety and Training personnel on infection control activities.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• Fire Department EMS protocols and operating procedures
• infectious disease transmission and control theory
• laws, regulations and rules governing infection control for emergency medical responders such as the O.S.H.A. bloodborne pathogens protocol, Pennsylvania Act 148, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and Ryan-White Act provisions for infection control of bloodborne and airborne contagious diseases for determining and confirming exposures and directing appropriate treatment and compliance activities by City and private hospital personnel
• training principles, methods and techniques
• medical principles, practices and techniques with respect to infection control.
• psychosocial aspects of exposure contacts to HIV, Hepatitis A, B, or C, infectious meningitis and other contagious diseases for emergency responders
• rescue and evacuation principles, procedures and techniques, departmental operational procedures, directives, and safety practices
ABILITY TO:
• develop policies and provide training programs for emergency responders and EMS training staff in Federal and State Laws, guidelines and regulations for infectious disease transmissions to emergency medical responders
• evaluate the effectiveness of Fire Department infectious disease control practices and resolve problems associated with the exposure control plan and compliance of all Federal, State, and Local guidelines within a public emergency medical services setting
• coordinate the need for effective intervention with the confidentiality requirements and restrictions related to infectious disease contacts by departmental personnel rendering emergency medical assistance
• analyze data and prepare statistical and narrative reports
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with Departmental operational and staff personnel, managers and personnel from other City agencies, employ tact, diplomacy and sound judgement in dealing with infected members, source patients and private hospital medical staff unfamiliar with Federal and State Law, private hospital personnel involved in infection control and source patients
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain health, immunization and medical records relating to infectious disease exposures incurred by public service medical responders
• direct the activities of paramedics and emergency medical technicians at the scene of exposure control incidents

GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Two years of current experience as a Fire Service Paramedic.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience as a Fire Service Paramedic as the designated officer for infection control (registered with the State of Pennsylvania) with a public ambulance service delivering advanced life support emergency services.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included the specific experience requirements described above

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

• Possession of certification as a Paramedic issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Fire Service Paramedic Exposure Control Officer
• Registration with the State of Pennsylvania as the designated officer for infection control.
• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Fire Service Paramedic Exposure Control Officer