City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

EMS Clinical Specialist - Communications

Under general direction of the EMS Commander - Communications, performs tasks related to operation of emergency communications center and use of equipment to receive, send, and relay emergency medical pre-arrival information in response to emergency calls.

1. Dispatches and monitors EMS unit status and location coordinating the movement of available units to provide optimal response coverage.
2. Provides information to responding units and on scene personnel.
3. Triages medical conditions by phone and dispatch appropriate resources.
4. Determines emergency callers' location through standardized medical triage.
5. Assists callers by analyzing, evaluating, and determining appropriate emergency medical pre-arrival instructions as defined by the Medical Director.
6. Operates a variety communication and computer-based equipment used in taking 911 medical calls and dispatching of emergency ambulances and other emergency response units.
7. Maintains necessary documentation and records.
8. Monitors and coordinates regional hospital availability during major incidents.
9. Relays operational information to EMS supervisory staff.
10. Maintains a strong safety focus and follows safety standards and practices.
11. Attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions to stay current in the knowledge and skill competencies as required by the department.
12. Advocates for patient.

• Knowledge of emergency medical call-taking and dispatching processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of various emergency telecommunications operations.
• Knowledge of the primary and secondary streets and highways in service area.
• Knowledge of various services provided by EMS.
• Knowledge of basic pre-hospital emergency medical care and rescue.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in the operations of EMS communications equipment.
• Skill in responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to identify and meet the needs of the patient, family, and support agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with EMS employees, emergency personnel and the general public.
• Ability to type 35 WPM with an 80% accuracy rate.

Medic - Communications who has credentialed to independent duty.

• Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) or higher.
• National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification.
• Austin-Travis County OMD Credentialed at the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) level.
• American Heart Association CPR Certification.
• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver License.

• Unimpaired mobility: Must be able to quickly relocate to a back-up Communications Center or Mobile Communications vehicle.
• Lifting: Lightweight lifting from varying heights, carrying materials weighing approximately twenty (20) pounds.
• Fine Motor Skills: Must be able to quickly and accurately operate required computer and 911 phone equipment.
• Vision: Must have correctable vision acceptable for 911 communications computer and equipment operation; must have color acuity adequate for determination of incident flagging and alerts in the Computer Aided Dispatch Computer, 911 Phone System, and other communications equipment.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear and understand information provided by callers by phone and must be able to hear and understand radio traffic.
• Speech: Must be able to speak and enunciate clearly and at a level audible to others by phone and radio, must be able to speak clearly in stressful situations, must be able to verbally communicate with patients, families, and other emergency personnel by phone and radio.