EMS Clinical Specialist - Field (Direct Hire Paramedic Only- 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 experienced Paramedics to join our elite team of providers and help us change the lives of the people we serve. With top notch equipment, over 20 specialized units, and opportunities to promote through the ranks of our organization, there is a fulfilling career waiting for you at ATCEMS!

Successful candidates in this lateral hiring process will be hired straight into the Clinical Specialist – Field (lead Paramedic) rank, which is the second rank in our hiring structure. New hires at this rank will be paid at the base rate for Clinical Specialist – Field (currently $30.03/hour) while completing the required new hire training and credentialing process. Upon completion of this training, each employee will be credentialed to the PL-5 level and cleared to independent duty for the field.

We value the clinical knowledge our providers bring to the organization and fully support expanding that knowledge, whether it is through additional 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 most progressive 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.

1. Assesses patients and provides basic and advanced skills and procedures as defined by the Medical Director.

2. Provides patient advocacy and interagency teamwork.

3. Recognizes risk factors, provide resources information and actively facilitate community health pathways for people in the community.

4. Assists in all active patient rescue activities.

5. Completes appropriate patient care documentation and other reports.

6. Ensures that the vehicle and all items of equipment are stocked, clean, and ready for use.

7. Operates an emergency vehicle including responding to emergency scenes and transporting patients to medical facilities.

8. Attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions.

9. 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.

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-Paramedic (EMT-P) or Licensed Paramedic
• Have one (1) year of full-time clinical ALS experience, while certified at the level of EMT-P or LP, including but not limited to: 9-1-1 EMS or Critical Care Transfer

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Current Texas Department of State Health Services certification or license (or the ability to receive same by the end of the Academy through State Reciprocity procedures) as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMT-P) or Licensed Paramedic (LP).
• Austin-Travis County OCMO credentialed at the Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMT-P) level within fifteen (15) months of promotion to EMS Clinical Specialist-Field
• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver License.

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 and advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care and rescue.
• Knowledge of radio communication and computer aided dispatch equipment.
• 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 and resource information and notification pathways.
• Skill in emergency vehicle operation.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with EMS employees and other members of the EMS 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 all aspects of emergency vehicle response, out of hospital medical care and other related EMS specialties including principals of incident management systems and Unified Command.
• Ability to remember numerous details and quickly recall essential information
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to identify and meet the needs of the patient, family, and support agencies at the scene of an emergency.
• Ability to communicate professionally in a manner that conveys care and concern for the patient and family.
• Ability to don and effectively wear required Department-issued personal protective equipment.

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, and 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.
• Fine 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, 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.

EEO/ADA:

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.