City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

EMS Cadet - Communications

Under close supervision, participate 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 - Communications. Upon completion and graduation from the EMS Academy, a cadet will be certified as an EMS Medic – Communications 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 - Communications, 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 and laboratory practice, response simulations, and other orientation activities, to qualify incumbent for graduation from the Academy and promotion to EMS Medic - Communications.
2. Develops knowledge to determine appropriate action for calls, including providing emergency medical self-help with pre-arrival instructions, triaging medical conditions by phone, and determining callers’ location through standardized medical triage.
3. Develops skills for assisting callers by analyzing, evaluating, and determining appropriate emergency medical pre-arrival instructions as defined by the Medical Director.
4. Participates in the learning of operating a variety of communication and computer-based equipment used in taking 911 medical calls, including dispatching and monitoring the various EMS Units and STAR flight helicopter services.
5. Develops knowledge and skills in documenting patient care and other reports appropriately.

• Knowledge of emergency medical call-taking.
• Knowledge of emergency telecommunications operations.
• Knowledge of the primary and secondary streets and highways in the service area.
• Knowledge of various services provided by EMS.
• Knowledge of pre-hospital emergency medical care and rescue.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in the operations of public safety communications equipment, computers, and related software applications.
• Ability to communicate professionally in a manner that conveys care and concern for the patient and family.
• Ability to quickly and accurately obtain appropriate information.
• Ability to type 35 WPM with an 80% accuracy rate.

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent. 

• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License.
• Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) or higher, or eligibility for reciprocity at that level of certification.
• National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification within ninety (90) days of the date of initial hire.
• Austin-Travis County OMD Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Credentialed within nine (9) months of the date of initial hire.
• American Heart Association CPR Certification within ninety (90) days of the date of initial hire.

• 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.