City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

EMS Commander - Field

Under general direction of the EMS Division Chief, supervises and coordinates the daily operations and activities of personnel in support of the goals, objectives, and leadership principles of EMS Department.

1. Creates annual career growth/development plans for personnel.
2. Delivers a coordinated monthly communications/education message.
3. Responds to incidents for performance evaluation/feedback.
4. Fulfills incident command system roles.
5. Functions as the primary point of contact for all personnel-related matters for assigned employees.
6. Conducts biannual employee performance assessments and provides employee feedback, based on City Success Strategy Performance Rating process.
7. Responds to emergencies, fulfills incident command system roles, and coordinates and directs the activities of personnel and equipment.
8. Recommends development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and activities to support departmental objectives, mission, and values.
9. Develops section and division goals, objectives, and resource requirements.
10. Assists in the development and implementation of standard operating practices, policies, and procedures.
11. Complies with applicable Local, State, and Federal regulations, and safety and environmental requirements.
12. Prepares informational, technical, and investigative activity and incident-related reports.
13. Assists with budget preparation and presentation, monitors expenditures, and ensures that sections and divisions operate within budget.
14. Participates in ongoing education in EMS operations, law, policy, and standards of care.
15. Manages Community Health Programs that identify risk factors, provide resources information, and actively facilitate community health pathways for people in the community.
16. Maintains a strong safety focus and follows safety standards and practices.
17. Assesses patients and perform skills and procedures, as necessary and as defined by the Medical Director.

• Knowledge of current concepts, techniques, and trends in emergency medical services.
• Knowledge of theory and principles of leadership and supervision, adult education, and effective communication.
• Knowledge of national standards and emergency care protocols.
• Knowledge of the operation of medical equipment utilized in pre-hospital emergency care.
• Knowledge of incident command systems (ICS) and nation incident management system (NIMS) practices and principles.
• Knowledge of community health factors that impact emergency services.
• Knowledge of improvement methods, techniques and tools.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to provide professional development and mentoring to personnel.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to make independent decisions concerning the safety of EMS employees and to act decisively when necessary to insure patient care, public safety, and employee safety are not compromised.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with agencies, City employees, and the public.

Two (2) years of continuous service as an EMS Captain - Field with the EMS Department.

• Texas Department of State Health Services certification or license as an Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P).
• The EMS Chief will determine by assignment the level of credential required, if any, from the Austin-Travis County Office of Medical Director.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.

• 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 one hundred eighty (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.