At Houston Methodist, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic position is responsible for assisting in the delivery of patient care and services to diverse patient population and their families and performing EKGs and collecting lab specimens under direction of the licensed nurse and/or provider. This position performs patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope. The EMT/Paramedic position demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks, conducting hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met and records data established by policy and procedure, reporting observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse and/or provider. This position practices Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist Experience standards.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Functions as a team member, responding willingly and positively to colleagues needs for assistance and partnership. Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Problem-solves, assists other techs, manages several ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.

• Serves as role model, using critical thinking, in several capacities; mentors new EMTs and ancillary personnel as to unit procedures, role and unit readiness as team leader, in patient decontamination operations.

• Interacts with peers, staff and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

• Serves as an educational resource for unit competency and validation procedures that are applicable to role.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Role models patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, comprehensive screenings, care administered, diagnostic measurements, allergies and medication lists, treatments and procedures as determined by skills, training and validation (i.e., vital signs, 12 Lead EKG, phlebotomy, ultrasound-guided I.V. catheter insertion, CPR, splinting, specimen collection, immobilization by backboard, extrication from vehicles) in accordance with established policies and procedures. Repeats vital signs according to policy. Provides care in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

• Observes patients, making hourly rounds to ensure patient needs are met (four P's), for condition change. Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to the licensed nurse to achieve desired patient outcomes. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, i.e. bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses rapid assessment skills to accurately identify patients' severity of illnesses, deterioration of conditions, and risks for adverse events, and communicates findings to licensed nurse and/or provider. Applies critical thinking skills to recognize abnormal ECGs, vital signs, and mental status to monitor high risk patients out of the department as delegated.

• Manages incoming patient information by receiving pre-arrival notifications from EMS providers per unit protocols. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into PSN to improve processes and identify trends. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections. Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities, impacting quality and safety targets on the unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, collaborating with the interprofessional team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Assists with patient and staffing needs (floats) across the service line or hospital as competencies allow. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Role models effective time management and coordinates colleagues to meet the overall demands of the unit.

• Maintains an orderly environment that facilitates access to supplies, equipment, and resource information. Assists in the inventory, monitoring and ordering supplies and medical equipment to maintain par levels.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development, continually assisting with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Fosters a positive and constructive patient care environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with department objectives.

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Completion of EMT-A, EMT- Paramedic program or licensed Paramedic, and/or currently participating in an EMT to Paramedic program with classification of an EMT-Advanced

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Six months pre-hospital experience or six months hospital experience as an EMT or Paramedic

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• EMT-A - Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced - State Licensure OR
• EMT-P - Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic - State Licensure AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA) AND
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA) within 3 months AND
• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) within 3 months

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrates and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team, patients and their families

• Displays strong time management skills

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem solving

• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate

• Possesses competent computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, e.g., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information

• Must be able to perform basic EKG interpretation skill

• Applies basic knowledge of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.