EMT Basic Program Functional Expectations* I agree to the EMT Basic Program Expectations
The following functional position description for the EMT, AEMT, and EMT-P is provided as a guide for advising those interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required for emergency medical services certification. It is the employer’s ultimate responsibility to define specific job descriptions within each Emergency Medical Services (EMS) entity.
Qualifications
An individual must complete a Texas Department of State Health Services approved course and achieve competency in each of the psychomotor skills to qualify for EMS certification or licensure. Also, the individual must achieve a passing score on the National Registry of EMT’s examination. EMS personnel must be at least 18 years of age. Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent. EMS personnel must have the:
A. Ability to communicate verbally via telephone and radio equipment;
B. Ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance);
C. Ability to stand for long periods of time up to 8 hours at a time without resting.
D. Ability to walk long distances upwards of 2 miles.
E. Ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions;
F. Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations;
G. Ability to work effectively in an environment with loud noises and flashing lights;
H. Ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift 8-48 hours;
I. Ability to calculate both weight and volume ratios and read small print under life-threatening time constraints;
J. Ability to read and understand English language manuals and road maps;
K. Ability to accurately discern street signs and address numbers;
L. Ability to interview patient, family members, and bystanders;
M. Ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in the prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; and
N. Ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to the status of the patient.
EMS personnel should possess good physical dexterity with the ability to perform all tasks related to the highest quality patient care, which can include: having the ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain and to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture is vital, ability to work in low light, confined spaces and other dangerous environments as required. EMS personnel should also be able to complete the following tasks.
A. Receives calls from dispatchers, responds appropriately to emergency calls, reads maps, may drive the ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
B. Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, takes pulse, blood pressure, visually observes changes in skin color, auscultates breath sounds, makes the determination regarding patient status, establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care (based on competency level); may administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by the physician.
C. May use equipment (based on competency level) such as, but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airway and ventilate patient, inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient’s blood circulation or stabilize injuries.
D. Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patients to an ambulance and on to a medical facility.
E. Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, and searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care.
F. Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses the extent of the injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols.
G. Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notifies authorities, and arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene.
H. Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to the facility, asks for direction from hospital physician or emergency department.
I. Observes patient en route and administers care as directed by the physician or emergency department or published protocol.
J. Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with the facility.
K. Moves the patient into the emergency facility from the ambulance.
L. Reports verbally and in writing concerning observations about the patient, patient care at the scene, patient care en route to the facility, and aids emergency department staff as required.
M. Maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.
N. Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future-readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulance cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gasoline, water in battery and radiator and tire pressure.
I have read and understood the above functional position description for an EMT Basic Program.
By signing this form, I certify that I can meet an Emergency Medical Technician’s functional expectations and can continue with the EMT course at Roxell EMT.