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MEDSTAR HEALTH

Critical Care Paramedic: Flight and Ground

MEDSTAR HEALTH, Lanham, Maryland, United States, 20706


General Summary of PositionProvides comprehensive emergency medical care to the critically ill and injured during helicopter and ambulance transport from accident scenes, and referring hospitals, under the direction of medical control physicians. Receives direct supervision from the Operations Managers. May at times receive functional supervision from the VP Director, AVP Clinical Operations, and Medical Director.

Must maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds in gear. Required to work in confined space with exposure to extreme temperatures, vibration and altitude; and to stand for extended periods of time.

Required to physically lift and transfer patients, and lift and move equipment used for patient care and other sensory facility to provide patient care.

Communicates directly and uses aircraft headsets, radios and telephones with patients, physicians, and other staff in emergency and daily patient care activities.

May be exposed to personal safety hazards in both air and ground transport.

Primary Duties and ResponsibilitiesDelivers expert patient care in helicopters and ambulances to multiple patient types including scene work, adult subspecialties, pediatrics, and high-risk obstetrics. Assesses patient care needs, establishes priorities and delegates tasks to peers and ancillary support staff as appropriate.Assesses the needs of patients with highly complex problems.

Identifies current and potential complex problems, critically analyzes trends and changes in patient status, and plans appropriate interventions directly or indirectly through other nurses and paramedicsPerforms basic and advanced airway techniques and treatment modalities, including oxygen therapy, airway maintenance, assisted ventilation, insertion of supraglottic airways, nasal and orotracheal intubation, rapid sequence pharmacological induction to facilitate intubation, surgical cricothyroidotomy, and needle thoracostomy.Administers and maintains pharmacologic agents and intravenous fluids at the scene and during inter-hospital transfer.In collaboration with the Critical Care Transport Specialist - RN, monitors and evaluates invasive and non-invasive techniques/procedures and their therapeutic effects, including the monitoring and operation of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD), and intracranial monitoring devices during transport. Troubleshoots these devices, recognizes problems, and makes necessary corrections. Recognition and intervention of abnormal parameters includes potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmias requiring electric cardioversion and defibrillation.Performs a variety of clinical duties including, but not limited to: insertion of nasal and oral gastric tubes and management of autologous blood transfusion systems. Initiates and maintains venous access and intraosseous lines.Obtains patient information, including detailed reports, when appropriate, and disseminates all necessary information to appropriate medical staff, per protocol.

Responsible for monitoring and recording all patient data and completion of all appropriate clinical documentation in a timely manner.Maintains program readiness and ensure cleanliness and appropriate par levels of supplies used by MedSTAR Transport.

Ensures helicopter or ambulance readiness with daily review of equipment and supplies and records findings on daily vehicle checklists.Ensures system readiness post-transport. Ensures that par stock levels of equipment at remote bases are maintained and informs MedSTAR leadership of supply needs, as necessary.Establishes and maintains professional radio communications with MedSTAR Communications Center and all other agencies, adhering to all FCC protocols.

Minimum QualificationsEducation

High School Diploma or GED

requiredSuccessful completion of an approved Paramedic course requiredSpecialized and/or advanced clerical, technical or other vocational training acquired during 1 - 2 years of additional job-related training preferred

Experience

3 years experience as an NREMT-P requiredSignificant field experience in a high acuity, high volume EMS system, and/or pre/intra hospital transport experience preferred

Licenses and Certifications

NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic

requiredLP - Licensed Paramedic in the District of Columbia within 30 Days requiredLP - Licensed Paramedic in Maryland

requiredLP - Licensed Paramedic in Virginia

preferredCPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days requiredAdditional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

requiredPALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification

requiredPHTLS within 180 Days required orHealth Services \ Transport Prof Adv Trauma Crse - TPATC

within 180 Days required orATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Certification

within 180 Days required orATCN - Advanced Trauma Care Nurse Certification

within 180 Days requiredHealth Services\NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Certification

within 90 Days requiredSTABLE - Neonatal Certification Certification

within 90 Days requiredNIH - National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification

within 90 Days requiredFEMA ICS 100 Course (Federal Emergency Management Agency - Incident Command System) prior to release from orientation

requiredFEMA ICS 200 Course (Federal Emergency Management Agency - Incident Command System) prior to release from orientation

requiredFP-C - Flight Paramedic - Certified from the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) within 2 years required orCCP-C - Critical Care Paramedic - Certified from the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) within 2 years requiredDL - Valid State Driver's License in good standing

requiredNo more than four points assigned to driver's license and must maintain a satisfactory driving record (no more than four points).Completion of approved Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (e.g., CEVO, EVOC) prior to release from orientation

required

This position has a hiring range of $31.94 - $53.65

Critical Care Paramedic: Flight and Ground at MEDSTAR HEALTH summary:The Critical Care Paramedic provides advanced emergency medical care to critically ill and injured patients during helicopter and ground transport. This role involves assessing patients, performing advanced medical procedures, and ensuring equipment readiness while maintaining communication with medical teams. The position requires completion of an approved Paramedic course and relevant certifications, along with substantial field experience in high-acuity EMS systems.

Keywords:Critical Care Paramedic, emergency medical care, air ambulance, ground transport, advanced life support, patient assessment, medical procedures, paramedic training, emergency response, critical care