EMS Cadet - Field (January 2025 Academy)

The City of Austin’s Emergency Medical Services Department provides the 9-1-1 emergency medical response throughout Austin and Travis County, Texas, serving a population of over 2.2 million people. One of the many qualities that makes our organization unique is that we work independently as a third service public safety provider—this means our main focus is on emergency medicine, and our Medics are trusted as clinicians capable of providing excellent patient care in the field. We are looking for qualified individuals to join our elite team of Medics and help us change the lives of the people we serve. With an internal Paramedic program, over 20 specialized units, and opportunities to promote through the ranks of our organization, there is a fulfilling career waiting for you at ATCEMS!

Each new hire starts as a Cadet, attending a paid 10-week training academy. Following graduation of the academy, each Cadet must complete a field training period prior to being cleared to independent duty and serving as a Medic in our system. Our Medics are constantly learning to become better providers--whether it is through practice out in the field or through a variety of Continuing Education courses offered by the department. Come see why we're one of the best EMS systems in the nation! 

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following: (Other related duties may be assigned.)

• Participates in the Austin – Travis County Emergency Medical Services Academy training program, which includes daily room lectures and laboratory practice, response simulations, live field exercises, physical training, and other orientation activities, to qualify incumbent for graduation from the Academy and promotion to EMS Medic - Field.
• Participates in mandatory physical training, which includes aerobic conditioning, weight training, callisthenic exercises, and other physical conditioning activities.
• Develops knowledge of patient advocacy and interagency teamwork.
• Develops skills for assessing patients and knowledge of procedures as defined by the Medical Director.
• Develops knowledge and skills in documenting patient care and other reports appropriately.
• Participates in the learning of operating an emergency vehicle including responding to emergency scenes and transporting patients to medical facilities.
• Maintains a strong safety focus and follows safety standards and practices.

This position is classified as an “essential” position, meaning you will be required to work during holidays and bad weather (ice storms, flooding, etc.) when the City is otherwise closed.

Upon completion and graduation from the EMS Academy, a cadet will be certified as a Medic – Field in substantial compliance with Chapter 143 Local Government Code. After successfully serving the entire probationary period of twelve (12) months from date of hire as a Medic – Field, will automatically become a full-fledged civil service employee and have full civil service protection. Medics must successfully complete the Austin-Travis County Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) credentialing process within nine (9) months from the date of hire.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older (no upper age limit)
• Must read, write, and speak English
• Must be eligible for employment in the U.S.
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) or higher

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License (or the ability to obtain a Texas driver's license by Academy start date)
• Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an EMT-Basic or higher (or eligibility for reciprocity at that level of certification if applying from out of state)
  • For the initial application, applicants can apply with any valid State or National Registry certification (EMT-B or higher). Texas reciprocity will be required if offered employment.

Medics hired must successfully complete the Austin-Travis County Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) credentialing process within nine (9) months from the date of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of basic pre-hospital emergency medical care and rescue.
• Knowledge of the operation of medical equipment utilized in pre-hospital emergency care
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of emergency medical services, customer service principles, patient advocacy and incident management.
• Knowledge of community health risk factors, resource information and notification pathways.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with EMS employees and other members of the emergency medical services and hospital system.
• Skill in performing strenuous work under all weather conditions including emergency situations.
• Skill in map reading and in navigating to call locations under stress and time constraints.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in the operations of public safety communications equipemnt, computers, and related software applications. 
• Ability to remember numerous details and quickly recall essential information.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to communicate professionally in a manner that conveys care and concern for the patient and family.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to don and effectively wear required Department issued personal protective equipment; including but not limited to respirators, protective eyewear, goggles, facemasks, boots, helmet, bunker coat and pants, ballistic vest, protective jackets and gloves. This includes complying with the Department facial hair requirements.
• Unimpaired mobility: Must be able to quickly respond to ambulance, must be able to access patients in difficult terrain, must be able to climb stairs, must be able to work in close and dangerous environments such as damaged vehicles, must be able with partner to carry equipment and patients weighing up to 180 pounds.
• Physical Abilities: Must be able to perform strenuous physical requirements such as CPR, lifting and moving of equipment and patients in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Must be able to swim at the basic survival level.
• Motor Skills: Must be able to perform required medical skills and techniques, such as bandaging, splinting, basic airway management techniques, and defibrillation.
• Vision: Must have correctable vision acceptable for day and night operation of emergency vehicles, must have color acuity adequate for determination of skin and blood color, and must be able to read medication dosages on drug labels and syringes.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear and understand information provided by patients, family or bystanders; must be able to hear breath sounds and accurately determine auscultated blood pressures; must be able to differentiate separate conversations in active, distracting environments; must be able to hear and understand radio traffic when responding with lights and sirens.
• Speech: Must be able to speak and enunciate clearly and at a level audible to others in loud conditions, must be able to speak clearly in stressful situations, must be able to verbally communicate with patients, families and other emergency personnel.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation.  In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. ADA Office: (512) 974-3256 TDD (512) 974-3303. 

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act.  If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or TTY (512) 974-2445. 

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.