At Houston Methodist, the Paramedic Transport position is responsible for providing appropriate out-of-hospital advanced and basic life support care and transportation of patients in accordance with local, state, national and Houston Methodist's standards of care. This position is responsible for assisting in the delivery of patient care and services to diverse patient population and their families under direction of the Medical Director. The Paramedic Transport position demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks, records data established by policy and procedure, reporting observations and patient problems to the Medical Director and/or Supervisor. This position practices Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist I CARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence and the 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

• Provides a safe and efficient transfer of patient and patient care information to the receiving personnel at the destination. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.

• Interacts with peers, staff and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner, responding willingly and positively to colleagues needs for assistance and partnership. Serves as a role model, using critical thinking, in several capacities; mentors new Paramedics, and (Emergency Medical Technician) EMT personnel in transport procedures, role and readiness and, as team leader, in patient decontamination operations.

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction, 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 physician. Documents, where applicable, care administered, treatments and procedures as determined by skills, training and validation in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Conducts a careful examination of the patient for signs and symptoms of illness/injury and assists other medical personnel as necessary. Provides care in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

• Provides careful handling of the patient to and from the ambulance. Administers prompt and efficient basic and advanced life support care within the limits of licensure or certification and in accordance with approved protocols prior to and during transport.

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

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Documents all aspects of patient condition and treatment on patient care records. Obtains and records non-medical patient information as required. Completes other patient documentation and forms as required. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Conducts regular ambulance inventory and equipment testing to ensure all equipment for which the paramedic is responsible is present, clean and in proper working order. Upon completion of transport, responsible for all assigned duties which will place the ambulance and equipment back in service.

• Identifies corrective action and improvement activities, impacting quality and safety targets on the unit-based scorecard, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.

• Operates / drives the ambulance in a safe and efficient manner, following Houston Methodist Hospital policy and procedure driving guidelines, to ensure safety or condition of the occupants are not compromised.

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 to meet the overall demands of the unit.

• Documents and reports all needed repairs to the proper maintenance departments (electronic or mechanical) to management. Maintains an orderly environment that facilitates access to supplies, equipment, and resource information.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. 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. Attends all mandatory meetings as scheduled. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) 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.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of ambulance/transport experience functioning as the primary attendant clinically caring for patients in a pre-hospital setting such as a 911 EMS System or a busy private ambulance service.

• One year hospital experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• LP - Licensed Paramedic - State Licensure OR
• EMT-P - Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic - State Certification AND
• DL - Driver License - 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 6 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

• Full knowledge of the ambulance's equipment and its proper use at all times

• Knowledgeable of clinical protocols, operational procedures and safety policies

• Demonstrates independence 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 to maintain patient information

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 Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

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.