City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

EMS Cadet - Field

Under close supervision, this position participates in assigned training and formal academic programs of instruction designed to qualify the incumbent to graduate the academy and fill the position of an EMS Medic - Field. Upon completion and graduation from the EMS Academy, a cadet will be certified as a Medic - Field in substantial compliance with Chapter 143 Local Government Code. After successfully serving the entire probationary period of twelve (12) months from date of hire as an EMS Medic - Field, will automatically become a full-fledged civil service employee and have full civil service protection.

1. Participates in the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Academy training program, which includes daily room lectures, laboratory practice, response simulations, live field exercises, physical training, and other orientation activities, to qualify incumbent for graduation from the Academy and promotion to EMS Medic - Field.
2. Participates in mandatory physical training, which includes aerobic conditioning, weight training, callisthenic exercises, and other physical conditioning activities.
3. Develops knowledge of patient advocacy and interagency teamwork.
4. Develops skills for assessing patients and knowledge of procedures as defined by the Medical Director.
5. Develops knowledge and skills in documenting patient care and other reports appropriately.
6. Participates in the learning of operating an emergency vehicle including responding to emergency scenes and transporting patients to medical facilities.
7. Maintains a strong safety focus and follows safety standards and practices.

• Knowledge of basic pre-hospital emergency medical care and rescue.
• Knowledge of the operation of medical equipment utilized in pre-hospital emergency care.
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of emergency medical services, customer service principles, patient advocacy, and incident management.
• Knowledge of community health risk factors, resource information, and notification pathways.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with EMS employees and other members of the emergency medical services and hospital system.
• Skill in performing strenuous work under all weather conditions including emergency situations.
• Skill in map reading and in navigating to call locations under stress and time constraints.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in the operations of public safety communications equipment, computers, and related software applications.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to remember numerous details and quickly recall essential information.
• Ability to communicate professionally in a manner that conveys care and concern for the patient and family.

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.

• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver License or ability to obtain a Texas Driver License by the Academy start date.
• Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) or higher, or ability to obtain reciprocity at that level of certification.
• Austin-Travis County OCMO Credentialed at the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B/PL2) level within nine (9) months from the date of hire.

• 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, 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 closed 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.
• 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, and 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.