Logo
City of Norfolk, VA

Paramedic

City of Norfolk, VA, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23510


Interested in practicing EMS in America's most authentic and urban waterfront city? Norfolk Fire-Rescue (NFR) is accepting applications for Full-time Paramedics. Starting salary may be negotiable based upon prior relevant work experience.

NFR has a rich history of quality and innovative responses to emergencies. Over 150 years of fire service response and over 30 years of pre-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) response have resulted in high service delivery standards for the members of NFR.

Each year NFR responds to approximately 50,000 EMS emergencies to provide both basic and advanced life support services and transport. To meet this demand, NFR operates 14 medic units daily that are staffed by an EMT-Advanced and either an EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic Attendant-in-Charge.

NFR's medics are additionally supported by highly trained Firefighters at the EMT-Advanced, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic level. Specialty resources are also available to address both special circumstances and special populations (e.g., Mass Casualty events, Bariatric patients, Rehab, etc.).

Department Core Values:

AIRPSI - Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, Safety, Innovation

Orientation and Training:

Selected Paramedics will complete an orientation program designed to familiarize them with Norfolk Fire-Rescue's operations within the Tidewater Emergency Medical System (TEMS) model. This will include both classroom, field, and on-the-job training to help prepare members for the Paramedic Attendant-in-Charge role.

Work Schedule:

Paramedics will be sworn employees on a 40-hour schedule working 3 days on and 3 days off. Schedule will include built in overtime and opportunities for additional voluntary overtime. Shifts will be 12 hours rotating days and nights from either 0700 to 1900 or 1900 to 0700.

Opportunities for Advancement:

In addition to annual pay increases authorized by the Norfolk City Council, Paramedics may be eligible for competitive career progression.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

* Responds to medical emergencies and performs basic and advanced life support procedures in accordance with Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) Council protocols. Supervises medical care as the Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) and provides transportation of injured or ill patients to medical facilities.* Prepares patients for transport to hospital facilities, placing them on a stretcher or other conveyance device, lifting and carrying patients as required.* Responds to fire, hazardous material, technical rescue, and other emergency scenes to supervise and provide medical and rehab services.* Drives emergency vehicles including ambulances, sedans, and utility/support vehicles.* Participates in emergency medical, fire, hazardous materials, technical rescue, terrorism, incident management, human relations, customer service, and other training as required. Participates in physical fitness/wellness training.* Inspects, cleans, and performs preventive maintenance of emergency vehicles and associated systems and portable equipment, and fire stations and grounds.* Inventories supplies and equipment on an ambulance, inspects the condition and quality, and restocks supplies following each run or as required.* Performs other duties as directed, including but not limited to public education, precepting of EMS students, community healthcare activities.* Completes patient care, fire, pre-incident, inspection, and activity reports.

Education/Experience:

* High school diploma or GED equivalent required.* Knowledge of practices to include safety and infection control procedures pertaining to the use and operation of equipment, tools, and protective gear.* Knowledge of incident command procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and basic maintenance needs including medical apparatus.* General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.* Prior EMS experience at the Paramedic level within a 911 response system is preferred.

Required Certifications:

* Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.)

* Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider*

* Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)*

* Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP)*

* Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)*

* Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification*

* Hazmat Materials Awareness Course*

* ICS 100, 200, 700, 800*

* If not current, Paramedics will be provided training and must successfully obtain certification within 60 days of hire date to continue employment.

Other Requirements:

* Must be a (U.S.) citizen, lawful permanent resident, or authorized to work in the U.S.* Must be 18 years of age at the time of applying.* Must possess a current and valid Driver's License.* Must successfully pass all entry level testing and assessments.

Application Process:

* Paramedic applicants must submit a City of Norfolk online employment application with ALL required documents as outlined below.* Failure to include ALL of the required documents and/or certificates will result in your employment application being deemed incomplete and will not be given further consideration in the recruitment process.* Documents cannot be added to your employment application submittal after the application has already been submitted.* For any questions, please email FIRE-RECRUITERS@norfolk.gov.

All copies of certifications and licenses must be attached to your application

* Valid Driver's License.* Complete and recent (generated within 1 year of application date) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) report from the state in which you are licensed. This report should show driving history. This needs to be a complete report, the end of the document should read, "This ends transmission" or "End of record."* High school diploma or GED certification. Proof of a higher education diploma is also acceptable.* DD214 long form that shows discharge information, if applicable (prior military only).* Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.)

* Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider.* Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).* Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP).* Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).* Emergency Vehicle Operation Certificate.* Hazmat Materials Awareness Course.* ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

Automatic Disqualifiers:

The following automatic disqualifiers will result in the immediate discontinuance of your employment application being processed:

Military:

* Dishonorable discharge.

Driving Record:

* Conviction of drunk driving or driving under the influence with the past three years at the time of applying.* Conviction of a misdemeanor hit and run within the past three years at the time of applying.

Criminal Record:

* Felonies involving sexual misconduct where the victim's failure to affirmatively consent is an element of the crime, such as forcible rape.* Felonies involving the sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly or the infirm, such as sexual misconduct with a child, making or distributing child pornography or using a child in a sexual display, incest involving a child, or assault on an elderly or infirm person.* Any crime in which the victim is an out-of-hospital patient or a patient or resident of a healthcare facility including abuse of, neglect of, theft from, or financial exploitation of a person entrusted to the care or protection of the applicant.* Serious crimes of violence against persons such as assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, murder, or attempted murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery of any degree, or arson.* Any circumstances leading to the appointment being subject to a permanent revocation of license or certification by another Emergency Medical Services office or other recognized state or national healthcare provider licensing or certifying body.* Conviction of a hit and run (if personal injury involved).

Drug Usage:

* Any usage of a controlled substance listed in Schedule I within five years at the time of applying (includes Heroin, LSD, MDMA, etc., excludes the usage of Marijuana).* Any non-medical use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II within five years at the time of applying (includes Cocaine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methamphetamine, PCP, etc.).* Any non-medical use of a controlled substance listed in Schedules III-VI within six months at the time of applying (includes illegal steroids, huffing, etc.) or any noxious chemical inhalant.* Any substantiated illegal act, sale, manufacture or distribution of any narcotic, controlled substance, or dangerous drug, as defined by state or federal law.

Overview of Process:

* Applicants must successfully complete the following steps:* Ranking Interview: Panel interview. All applicants are asked the same set of questions.* Personal History Booklet: Used to gather information of your personal history.* Psychological Evaluation: Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test (MMPI), used to assess personality traits and psychopathology, provided at City expense.* Background Investigation: Involves obtaining and verifying information related to prior employment, drug usage, personal and professional references and criminal records, DMV records and credit records. Includes a criminal and an Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) fingerprint background check.* Polygraph Examination: Used to verify the background data disclosed in the Personal History Booklet and employment application, provided at City expense. Deception noted in the areas of the automatic disqualifiers may prevent further processing of your application.* Medical Examination: Includes medical physical and drug screen, provided at City expense. Required vaccinations will be verified.

Tobacco Use:

Selected candidates will be required to sign an acknowledgement indicating that they will refrain from using tobacco products, both on and off-duty.

Signing Bonus:

This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus. The signing bonus will be paid in two (2) increments: $2,500 upon completion of 60 days of continuous employment in good standing, and $2,500 upon completion of your probationary period. To receive the signing bonus, you must be an active employee in good standing.