EMS Paramedic Practitioner

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 focus is on pre-hospital medicine, and our Medics are trusted as clinicians capable of providing excellent patient care in the field. We are looking for an experienced Advanced Practice Provider (PA or NP) to join our elite team of providers and help us change the lives of the people we serve.  With top notch equipment, excellent physician collaboration, paid time off, and ACME Category 1 CE coverage there is a fulfilling career waiting for you at ATCEMS!

Through physician-APP practice agreements, the Paramedic Practitioner provides medical care to patients in the pre-hospital environment.  

Successful candidates in this direct hire process will be hired straight into the Paramedic Practitioner position – a sworn public service position with Austin-Travis County EMS.  New hires in this position will be paid commensurate with experience.  The department does pay for licensures (TMB, DEA, TDSHS), continuing education (category 1 CE) and has competitive benefits, including paid time off and insurance for employees and family. 

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.

• Performs physical assessment of patients using observation, inspection auscultation, palpation, and percussion.
• Refers patients to physicians for consultation when indicated by clinical exam.
• Treats patients following standards of care. Secures and evaluates medical histories of patients.
• Orders, performs, and interprets both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures or tests for individualized patients.
• Coordinates care by training and directing members of the health care team. Assists families in utlizing health care resources available.
• Plans, promotes, demonstrates, recommends, and coordinates high standards of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practice.
• Manages low acuity and high acuity patients in the EMS setting.
• Introduces innovations in emergency medical care and health programs.
• Assists in EMS education and training. Maintains care of equipment.
• Current Paramedic Certification.
• Valid State of Texas Class C Driver License.

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:

• Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant school, plus two (2) years of experience in Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care setting, or clinically-related field. Or
• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing plus Nurse Practitioner certification in an area of Emergency Medicine or Family Practice, plus two (2) years of experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• License to practice as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in the State of Texas.

Physical Requirements:

• Unimpaired mobility: Must be able to respond quickly to ambulance, to access patients in difficult terrain, to climb stairs, to work in 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 recruitments such as CPR and 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, establishing an IV, performing endotracheal incubation and other advanced airway techniques, manual defibrillator, pleural decompression.
• Vision: Must have correctable vision acceptable for day and night operation of emergency vehicles and 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 and bystanders; to hear breath sounds and accurately determine blood pressures; to differentiate separate conversations in active, distracting environments; 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; to speak clearly in stressful situations; to verbally communicate  with patients, families, and other emergency personnel.     

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluations, training, and guidance to others. 

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 the principles and practice of out-of-hospital care. 
• Knowledge of driving an emergency vehicle.
• Knowledge of the scope of practice of advanced practice providers in the clinical specialty.
• Knowledge of instruments, equipment, and mechanical devices employed in the speciality area of EMS.
• Knowledge of relationship between EMS, primary care, and urgent/emergency care.
• Knowledge of community organizations, health programs, and local receiving facilities.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in establishing an effective and constructive working relationship with patients, families, physicians, departmental personnel, City employees, and the public.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor.
• Ability to maintain current required licenses and certifications.