Emergency Medical Technician (EMCT-B) - Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

The purpose of this position is 1) to provide appropriate on-site patient care to those involved in an injury or illness, 2) to see patients transported in an orderly and safe manner to or from various medical facilities, 3) Communicate appropriately with all parties and agencies involved with the patient's care.

Scope of Work: The Emergency Medical Technician (EMCT-B) position is located in the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital, in Sells, Arizona, and is under the direct and immediate supervision of the EMS Clinical Supervisor; who evaluates the incumbent's completed work for conformity with treatment protocols and requirements through quality control procedures maintained by the Department and the Base Hospital

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMCT-B), the incumbent performs the following procedures, as required, and in strict compliance with the standard of care for an Emergency Medical Technician in the state of Arizona.
• Based on patient's condition, opens and maintains airway when airway obstructed or during respiratory arrest identified during a primary survey
• Performs "rescue breathing" if breathing fails to start spontaneously upon opening of the airway
• Performs appropriate type CPR per AHA Standards if heartbeat absent after establishing an open airway.
• Determines need and equipment used in providing appropriate life support, e.g., nasal cannula, MAST Trousers, or spine board.
• Recognizes and determines the causes or implications of closed or open soft tissue injuries and treats appropriately.
• Accurately identifies signs, symptoms, and nature of actual/impending shock.
• Recognizes obvious fractures, dislocations, and sprains and determines appropriate intervention to immobilize patients for safe transport to medical facilities.
• Identifies possible signs/symptoms of potential life-threatening dangers involving injuries to the head, face, neck, and spine, provides appropriate immobilization for safe transport to medical facilities.
• Administer first aid and proper immobilization of various injuries, including eye injury, impaled objects, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree burns from fire, water, chemicals, or electricity.
• Responds to calls involving IUP, recognizing potential complications, and intervening when appropriate to stabilize the patient for safe transport to a medical facility.
• When responding to medical emergencies (chest pains, seizure activity, diabetic emergencies, respiratory distress), ensure the patient is comfortable while continually monitoring patients for potential "life-threatening' signs and symptoms involving airway, breathing and/or circulation.
• When operating an emergency or patient transport vehicle, selects the most efficient, safe route to and from patient pick up and drop off points.
• Adhere to traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations regarding the safe operation of all emergency and patient transport vehicles.
• Correctly uses radio communication equipment to alert medical facilities of patient's condition, estimated time of arrival and carries out any orders receiving medical facility physician deems necessary before the arrival at the receiving facility.
• Observe, report, and record all significant physical and emotional conditions relevant to the patient's clinical and therapeutic status to appropriate parties and agencies involved with the patient's care.
• Performs operator maintenance on vehicles and equipment as directed by EMS Clinical Supervisor and decontaminates vehicle post-use, according to EMT training, infection control practices, and applicable Universal Precautions protocols.
• At the start of the shift, checks the ambulance thoroughly, ensuring the vehicle is fueled, restocked, and cleaned thoroughly inside and out.
• When not on emergency runs or patient transport missions, may be required to work in Emergency Room under the supervision of ER Charge Nurse carrying out duties and training regimens outlined in EMS policies and procedures governing EMT responsibilities while working in the Emergency Room.
• May be required to participate in or hold in-service training on "First-Aid Techniques" community members at large when called upon to do so by EMS management.
• Maintains updated knowledge and proficiency in EMS through attendance at in-services, staff meetings, run reviews, and other continuing education activities; and integrates knowledge and skills into EMS/EMT practice.
• Compiles with any new policies/procedures and directives and performs other duties as assigned.
• Contribute to a team effort.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of the major body systems (i.e., skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and genitourinary) to perform a prompt patient examination and provide appropriate patient care handling.
• Knowledge of medical terminology to accurately record and transmit observations or readings.
• Knowledge of EMS legal considerations and ramifications includes actual/implied consent, Good Samaritan laws, and applicable State of Arizona Civil Statutes governing EMS patient care delivery.
• Knowledge of which EMS extrication techniques/modalities to assure the patient's safety is never compromised.
• Knowledge of the Privacy Act of 1974 mandates the incumbent to maintain the confidentiality of all administrative, medical, and personnel records.
• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 (HIPAA).
• Skills in communicating courteously and professionally with patients or relatives of patients within the service areas.
• Ability to interpret diagnostic signs such as vital signs, pupillary movement, various states of consciousness, and pain reactions.
• Ability to advance EMCT-Basic skills, including but not limited to IV starts, heart monitor, and advanced airway.
• Ability to solely move and operate all rescue equipment within the first year of employment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma.
• One year of clinical experience.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Current Arizona EMCT-Basic certification.
• Must maintain a current Arizona EMCT-Basic certification.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.