6B21

PAY RANGE: 302

FIRE SERVICE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN - BASIC

(General)

(Bilingual)

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is Basic Life Support (BLS) field work responding to emergency calls from the public to administer emergency medical care and provide safe transport to an accredited hospital emergency room and pursue training to be certified for Emergency Medical Technician- Advanced scope of practice. Employees in this class serve as a first responder with responsibility for assessing patient condition and determining actions necessary for stabilization. Comforting patients, reassuring family and bystanders, and coordinating with the general public, fire and police authorities are of major significance to this work. Duties are performed according to Pennsylvania standard emergency medical services Basic Life Support protocols. Employees may complete training in advanced life support techniques assisting a Fire Service Paramedic which includes both classroom and on-the-job training components. Employees in this class work on rotating shifts and are subject to adverse weather conditions, and work requires moderate physical effort. Work is performed under the general supervision of an administrative or technical fire officer.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be

allocated to this class.)

1. Positions in this class must perform basic life support work responding to emergency calls from the public to administer emergency medical care and provide safe transport to an accredited hospital emergency room.

2. Positions must perform work on a rotational basis in the Philadelphia Fire Department.

3. Positions in this class must meet the Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Services Act Rules and Regulations requirements for Emergency Medical Services Vehicle Operators as identified in the Licenses, Registrations and/or Certificates section.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Drives mobile unit to scene of emergency in response to call in accordance with department safety policies and dispatcher instructions; may assist Fire Service Paramedics during Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency interventions; evaluates the emergency situation; may contact physician for medical direction; administers proper emergency treatment in accordance with protocol and patient assessment; contacts fire units to provide equipment such as ladders or hydraulic power tools for use in extricating patients before or after treatment, or police units to provide crowd control or other assistance.

Administers basic life support to stabilize patient conditions; administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, oxygen equipment, and automated external defibrillator (AED) to treat cardiac arrest; uses equipment, resuscitators, and nasal and oral suction devices to treat respiratory problems; may assist paramedic with patient care.

Observes vital signs of patients by checking respiration, pulse, blood pressure; questions patient to obtain information to determine nature of injury; examines body for fractures, wounds, signs of fever or symptoms; evaluates signs and decides on course of action; records and reports on patient’s condition or injury and treatment provided.

Uses personal protective equipment when interacting with patients; applies bandages; treats burns; uses a variety of splints to set suspected broken bones; treats for shock; may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens; may deliver children under emergency conditions and provide medical care to mother of child.

Lifts and moves patient on stretcher; loads and unloads patient on litter into and out of ambulance.

Completes refresher training and instruction in new treatment techniques, protocol changes, and the use of new materials and equipment.

Completes individual reports on each treatment given, location and identity of patient and receiving hospital, and special problems encountered; requisitions materials and equipment as needed; completes all documentation as required; communicates unit status, updates, receiving hospital notifications, medical doctor consultation and resource requests via radio/phone/computer in accordance with departmental policy.

Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) equipment and supply stock in emergency vehicle; regularly cleans motor vehicle; performs first echelon maintenance on assigned emergency vehicle; performs assigned housekeeping duties in station.

May provides instruction on BLS emergency medical services through department-sponsored training efforts.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· current Emergency Medical Technician techniques

· Pennsylvania Basic Life Support (BLS) treatment protocols

· vital signs and symptoms of physical condition of persons requiring emergency treatment

· procedures, practices, materials and techniques used in the emergency treatment of burns, wounds and other physical trauma

· procedures, practices, materials and techniques used in the emergency treatment of cardiac problems and cardiac arrest, especially in the application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and automated external defibrillation

· procedures, practices, materials and techniques used in the treatment of respiratory problems and respiratory arrest, especially in the application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

· procedures, practices, materials and techniques used in the emergency treatment of shock, childbirth deliveries, illness, stroke and drug abuse

· rescue and evacuation principles, procedures and techniques

· departmental operational procedures, directives, and safety practices

· physical properties, characteristics and problems of common chemical hazards

· ambulance mechanical equipment and routine preventative maintenance

SKILL IN:

· the use of medical equipment

· the use of automated external defibrillation equipment

· the application of bandages, splints, and stretcher-carrying techniques

· the use of a variety of oxygen equipment

· current Emergency Medical Technician techniques

· reading maps and understanding Global Positioning System (GPS) data

· assessing and controlling hazards present to self, victim and bystanders

ABILITY TO:

· follow medical directions in the treatment of medical emergencies

· think clearly and make critical decisions in stressful situations

· understand and interpret established Pennsylvania Basic Life Support protocols

· use medical equipment to administer proper basic life support and life saving measures

· drive an emergency vehicle with caution in accordance with state regulations and departmental rules

· complete required records and documents accurately concerning emergency treatment of patient

· maintain vehicles, medical and communication equipment

· calm and comfort a patient

· remain calm and instill confidence in bystanders at the emergency scene to prevent unwarranted interference

· establish effective working relationships with other fire units, police personnel, medical personnel and the general public

· speak fluently in the designated non-English language for the bilingual specialty

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/22.)

EDUCATION:

Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

CERTIFICATION:

Possession of a current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)- Basic Certification issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to converse effectively in English and the designated non‑English language.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

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 Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

Possession of certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic at the time of application and during tenure of employment as a Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

Successful completion of the required hours of Continuing Education Credits

every three years for recertification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic during tenure of employment as a Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

AS REQUIRED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ACT RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATORS:

Employees in this class must have not been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within four years prior to the last date for filing applications and at any time during the tenure of employment as a Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

Employees in this class must have not been convicted of reckless driving or had a driver’s license suspended due to use of drugs or alcohol or a moving traffic violation within two years prior to the last date for filing applications and at any time during tenure of employment as a Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

Class Established:

CSC – 3/14

Ad. Board – 3/14

Spec Revision:

CSC – 1/20

Ad. Board – 3/20

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 7/22

Ad. Board – 9/22