Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide emergency medical care and support to members of the public and to OPP members at OPP tactical incidents in a pre-hospital environment that may be in a remote or urban setting under the medical license and supervision of the OPP Physician.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Responds to medical and trauma emergencies in a pre-hospital environment and provides emergency treatment and support to patients (e.g. airway support, haemorrhage control) prior to transport to hospital for further assessment and/or follow-up care.

2. Cooperates and collaborates with OPP Physician and fellow TEMS Medics when sending and receiving information to ensure appropriate treatment and assessment of patients, reviewing and confirming status of patient's condition and recommending alternative treatment where necessary within established protocols.

3. Assesses, interprets and evaluates injured member's vital signs, symptoms, medical/incident history. Prioritizes multiple patient situations and performs authorized medical treatments (e.g. endotracheal intubation, intravenous medications) as ordered by the OPP Physician.

4. Liaisons with OPP members, OPP Physician, dispatch centre, and other health professionals/agencies for advising on patient condition and receiving directions/instructions for appropriate treatment.

5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Staffing and Licencing :

Current certification in Advanced Care Paramedic according to the Ambulance Act of Ontario.

Ability to maintain certification as an Advanced Care Paramedic with a local base hospital and with the OPP Medical Program.

Must maintain an emergency patient care role at their EMS service. Any other roles (administrative, training, community paramedicine) which do not inlcude regualr emergency patient care will make them ineligible for the OPP TEMS program. All memebers are requred to report any change of duty/advancement/promotion to the Commander of Emergency Response and to the OPP Physician.

Licensed as Advanced Care Paramedic and currently employed and continue to be employed as a full-time Advanced Care Paramedic with an ambulance service in Ontario to ensure familiarity and comfort with required medical procedures.

Ability to pass physical fitness testing.

Ability to pass OPP background security investigation.

Available to respond to calls for service within 30 minutes (average 2 per month).

Available on-call basis 24/7 when off-duty as a full-time Advanced Care Paramedic with an ambulance service in Ontario.

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge of emergency medical care methods, procedures and techniques of Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP), such as, administering approximately 20 different medications, performing surgical airways, intravenous therapy, intubation, placing external jugular IV lines, performing needle decompression, performing synchronized and chemical cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, performing limited obstetrical assessments, providing chemical pain relief from trauma and reverse hypoglycemic states.

Position requires knowledge of medical instruments and equipment to perform endotracheal intubation procedures using laryngoscope, Magill forceps, and mechanical ventilation devices to operate defibrillators to restore heartbeats. Knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological principles, anatomy, pharmacology and pharmakinetics to evaluate and document signs and symptoms for life support care by using medical and pharmaceutical formats and terminology. Knowledge of pharmaceutical products to administer a range of high risk medication (e.g. narcotics/analgesics, antiarrythmia agents) and to calculate dosage (e.g. calculate flow rates of IV and oxygen).

Position requires knowledge of relevant ministry/OPP policies and procedures and relevant sections of the Ambulance Act and Regulations of Ontario, Mental Health Act, Highway Traffic Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide medical care and support.

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Position requires written communication skills using medical terminology to record information and update reports concerning patient condition and approved medications administered.

Oral communication skills to communicate to patients, peers, OPP members, OPP Physician and other emergency medical personnel from the scene and in transit.

Position requires interpersonal skills to work with a multi-disciplinary team (e.g. provide status of patient condition, confirm direction from OPP Physician on drug administration, patient care procedures) and to reassure injured/ill patients during transit and when administering treatment.

PROBLEM SOLVING/COMPLEXITY:

Position requires analytical skills to assess and confirm a patient's medical condition, to recommend treatment, to identify indications and contradictions in a patient's condition (e.g. deterioration of patient, vital signs dropping; allergic reactions to medications); and to assess multiple patient situations to establish priority of treatment and to determine whether to request additional assistance.

Evaluative skills to determine a patient's condition based on patient presentation and vital signs and response to basic/advanced life support medical care treatment (e.g. CPR, oxygen treatment, heart defibrillation, symptom relief medications) and when to advise other TEMS medics for assistance and/or contacting the OPP Physician to receive further medical treatment instructions.

Judgement :

Position works under the medical direction of the OPP Physician and within related established policies and procedures, such as, advanced life support medical care methods/procedures, patient assessment and life saving treatment techniques.

Position requires discretion in administering medical treatment procedures under defined circumstances without authorization from base hospital (e.g. immobilizing fractures and spinal injuries), in determining when patient complications and matters are not covered by established procedures referring to the OPP Physician and in determining the priority of patient condition. Position requires independent management (within standing orders) in acute crisis without direct physician involvement (e.g. when running cardiac arrest resuscitation) and accepts responsibility for a patient's care.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHER EMPLOYEES:

There is no formal responsibility for the work of other employees.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS

Physical Demands:

Requires lifting of medical equipment weighing in excess of 15 kg frequently.

Frequently the position requires bending, carrying, lifting when providing medical care.

Frequently the position works in either remote or urban settings, including, working in incremental weather conditions (e.g. extreme heat/cold, rain/snow) and working in tight positions in crouching position.

Occasional extended sitting (e.g. while driving to tactical incident) and prolonged standing (e.g. waiting for tactical unit to take action).

Sensory Demands:

Auditory – required when checking for vital signs, listening to patient's response, taking medical direction/instructions from OPP Physician. Listening to radio communications.

Visual – monitoring vital signs, pain level, improvement/decline in health, response to treatment/medication.
Tactile/Olfactory – diagnosis of fracture, sprain.

Concentration is required when performing medical care and treatment, in an environment that may be distracting.

Interruptions (e.g. multiple patients or work environment conditions) which sometimes conflict due to the need for timely response and medical attention.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in a pre-hospital environment in either a remote or urban setting and may be exposed to outside elements (e.g. extreme cold or hot temperatures, incremental weather conditions).