North Country EMS (NCEMS)
is a small agency with a large responsibility. NCEMS has a long tradition of
encouraging volunteers to participate in the system in order to provide
sufficient staffing to have two ambulances on immediate readiness.
A third ambulance is staffed when needed if personnel are available.
To provide coverage to our large and diverse area requires
specialized training and skills of the medical staff. It also requires the staff to assist as North Country EMS
support to the Volcano Rescue Team.
The Volcano Rescue Team is a MRA certified mountain rescue
team affiliated with NCEMS; it handles wilderness rescues within the area
covered by NCEMS.
NCEMS has good community support. All members of the agency must work hard to provide a level
of EMS to our service area equivalent to that of a more urban environment.
The large and diverse service area, the small staff and the
varied tasks of rural / wilderness medicine mean that all members have to do
more than just wait for and run calls. Each
member of the agency has additional assigned responsibilities vital to keep the
agency functioning at a quality level. Part time paramedics and EMTs, Residents and Interns are also
required to help with tasks when necessary to assist in the operation of the
agency.
NCEMS has a long history of training volunteers and residents
who go on to EMS and Fire careers. All
members of the agency work with instructing and mentoring these career oriented
people.
A Resident with NCEMS serves on the ambulance as an EMT/Driver,
working with a Paramedic partner. Frequently there is also a paramedic assistant
(PMA), an EMT or FR, who may either be another Resident or a volunteer.
The following list outlines some of the Residents' essential job
functions:
· Deliver Basic Life Support and treatment in accordance with
Washington State Law and Clark County Medical Program Director’s standing
orders.
· Encouraged participation with CCFD#13/Yacolt Fire in either a
suppression or support role.
· Attendance at EMS drills.
· Assist in removal of victims from dangerous situations
· Participate in the exchange of information between off-going
and on-coming shifts and in Resident meetings as necessary.
· Operate a multitude of medical
devices and equipment appropriate for field use as approved by the agency and
treatment protocols. Check all
personal gear, assigned vehicles, equipment and tools to ensure safe and
effective operation
· Prepare complete records/reports
related to emergency medical care, vehicle and equipment operations during
operational period.
· Operate ambulances, emergency
vehicles and equipment safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established
policies and procedures of the agency.
· Maintain familiarity with maps and
related road networks within the service area and within those areas with aid
response agreements.
· Participate in scheduled and
assigned training classes, to include assisting with in-house education and
public education (CPR, First Aid classes, etc.).
· Perform station duties as
assigned.
Residents must wear department-approved uniforms and comply
with agency standards for personal hygiene and grooming.
Residents may operate in biohazard conditions when the
circumstances for treatment and care of patients require. They must be able to wear personal protection equipment and use personal
protective methods per agency protocols.
NCEMS Residents are required to perform their
responsibilities in a capable and competent manner in accordance with protocols
and standards for patient care as established by Washington State Laws, Medical
Program Director protocols and North Country EMS Agency Directives.
NCEMS Residents must have the ability to establish and
maintain a positive working relationship with other emergency service workers,
hospital staff and other cooperating agencies.
NCEMS Residents deliver polite, compassionate care to all
patients regardless of the patient's race, age, sex, religion, national origin
or ability to pay.
Applicants must:
1. Be enrolled in or working toward enrolling in a local Paramedic education program.
2. Possess
a high-school diploma or acceptable equivalent.
3. Possess
and maintain at minimum a Washington State EMT certification or be certifiable
in
4. Have
the physical ability to perform the job as determined by a physical agility
performance evaluation.
5. Possess
and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
Have and maintain a driving record sufficiently clear to allow
insurability without prejudice.
6.
Successfully complete a
comprehensive background investigation to include criminal record and employment
record.
7.
Be a non user of tobacco products
and illegal / illicit drugs both on and off the job at time of employment and
maintain the same status throughout the term of Residence.
8.
Have the ability to communicate both
orally and in writing in English and to understand and follow oral and written
instructions.
9.
Have the ability to establish and
maintain working relationships with employees, volunteers and management.
10.
Be able to effectively perform prolonged work under adverse emergency conditions
involving physical and mental stress.
11.
Be able to think clearly and use independent judgment in routine and non-routine
situations, which may occur.