Nature of the Work
This is very responsible administrative and supervisory work involving responsibility all aspects of the Monroe County Emergency Medical Service. The incumbent oversees all administrative and operational functions including selection and supervision of personnel, shift assignments, budgeting, financial management and billing, procurement and equipment maintenance. Additional activities include the development and implementation of operational policies and in procedures, serving on various boards and committees involved with emergency management issues and reporting to the County Mayor and County Commission on pertinent issues and concerns, budgetary decisions, etc. Job responsibilities require Licensure as a Paramedic in the State of Tennessee including certifications in advanced life support and rescue techniques, extensive knowledge of emergency medical operations, thorough supervisory experience, strong organizational, decision making and interpersonal skills and the ability to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner. Job performance is reviewed by the County Mayor through review of the effectiveness of emergency response operations, compliance with established operational policies and budgetary objectives including the timely collection of revenues, ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of staff, expertise in emergency management services and organizational interpersonal and decision-making skills. Job related duties are also subject to state audits.

Illustrative Examples of Work
-Assigns emergency services personnel to rotating shifts to ensure optimal coverage of assigned response areas.
-Ensures that all medical equipment and ambulances are in proper working order prior to utilization.
-Oversees repairs and routine maintenance of emergency response vehicles and procures needed parts and supplies.
-Interacts with other emergency response agencies including law enforcement, fire departments, Emergency Management Directors, etc. to ensure a coordinated response to medical emergencies.
-Reviews daily logs to determine proper staffing levels, emergency response activities and any equipment or vehicle problems.
-Examines run reports to review patient information and the accuracy of documentation pertaining to insurance information, dispatch times and mileage.
-Oversees all administrative office functions and discusses issues pertaining to insurance reimbursements, incomplete run reports and transportation problems with EMS Office Manager.
-Maintains contact with all substations and visits as necessary to determine equipment needs, transport information and address other issues and concerns.
-Prepares the annual budget and reviews all revenues and expenditures to ensure financial accountability for departmental operations.
-Monitors radio communications and responds when necessary.
-Interviews and selects job applicants and makes decisions regarding the evaluation, training, discipline and/or discharge of employees.
-Ensures that all departmental staff are trained in a timely and adequate manner to meet state regulations governing EMS operations.
-Makes decisions regarding the acquisition and disposal of vehicles and equipment.
-Meets with the County Commission, the Budget and Finance Committee and other local officials to present budgets, explain emergency response needs and activities and address any issues or concerns.
-Implements new policies and procedures in response to changing federal, state, and/or professional guidelines.
-Meets with medical dispatching personnel to maintain effective communications between departments, resolve any issues or concerns, discuss procedural changes, etc.
-Ensures the effective coordination of medical facilities and EMS operations for a clear understanding of all countrywide operations.
-Makes presentations to school groups, civic organizations, church groups, etc. about EMS services, basic first aid, etc.
-Attends professional training opportunities, seminars, etc. to remain current on Emergency Medical response procedures, regulations, equipment, etc.
-Performs related duties as required.
Necessary Requirements of Work
Graduation from an accredited four year high school (Associate’s Degree preferred) ; a minimum of five years’ experience as a Paramedic; extensive knowledge of emergency medical response operations; thorough experience supervising a large department or organization; strong financial management and accounting skills; ability to effectively supervise a large staff; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and decision making skills; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience to provide the following knowledge abilities and skills:
-Extensive knowledge of the Tennessee EMS Act, TCA Code Annotated sections pertinent to EMS operations, Tenn-Care Guidelines, Federal Medicare Guidelines, HIPPA Guidelines, Federal Ambulance Codes and US Department of Health regulations.
-Extensive knowledge of the first aide techniques and medical procedures necessary to be certified as a Paramedic in the State of Tennessee.
-Extensive knowledge of the equipment, materials, and supplies utilized to administer advanced emergency medical procedures, obtain vital signs, and administer intravenous fluids.
-Extensive knowledge of the proper use of endotracheal intubation equipment, tracheotomy devices, chest decompression kits, mechanical suction devices and cervical and spinal immobilization devices.
-Thorough knowledge of universally accepted precautions for dealing with and/or exposure to bodily fluids.
-Thorough knowledge of the medical facilities in the area and the capacity of each to deal with various types of medical emergencies.
-Thorough knowledge of emergency response protocols regarding the use of emergency flashers and sirens.
-Thorough knowledge of Monroe County roadways and the general location of streets, neighborhoods, etc.
-Thorough knowledge of the documentation required to obtain reimbursement for provided medical services and current reimbursement rates and regulations for medical benefits provided through state and federal programs.
-Thorough knowledge of the development and monitoring of departmental budgets and responsible financial policies and procedures.
-Thorough knowledge of effective personnel policies, procedures and practices including the recruitment, selection, motivation, discipline and/or discharge of employees.
-Thorough knowledge of local and regional emergency response organizations and jurisdictions.
-Thorough knowledge of acceptable radio protocol when communicating with dispatch.
-Thorough knowledge of the laws pertaining to deceased persons including proper notification of authorities, protection of personal property, etc.
-Ability to effectively supervise and direct a large EMS department and assume responsibility for all financial, staffing, and budgetary decisions.
-Ability to interact effectively with local, regional, and state emergency response organizations, local public and private officials and governing boards.
-Ability to make prompt and appropriate decisions regarding all aspects of departmental operations.
-Ability to devise and implement effective policies and procedures in response to federal, state, and local regulations.
-Ability to administer emergency medical procedures to accident victims and individuals experiencing physical distress including administering CPR for extended periods of time, inserting intravenous fluids, stabilizing broken bones, preventing further loss of blood, etc.
-Ability to react in a calm and professional manner in response to medical emergencies and crisis situations and obtain relevant medical information from bystanders, family members, etc.
-Ability to interact in a compassionate and considerate manner with accident victims, individuals experiencing physical distress, family members and other concerned parties.
-Ability to prepare detailed and legible reports and other required documentation pertinent to the care and transportation of clients.
-Ability to read road maps, street signs, and recognize pertinent landmarks when responding to emergency situations.
-Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations and make timely and appropriate decisions in response to stressful and/or crisis situations.
-Ability to maintain effective relationships with medical providers, physicians, emergency response personnel and other medical support personnel.
-Ability to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions.
-Skill in the use of medical diagnostic and first aide equipment, splints, intravenous needles, medical supplies, etc.
-Skill in the use and operation od emergency response vehicles.
Necessary Special Requirements
-Possession of a current certification from the State of Tennessee as a Paramedic.
– Possession of a valid Tennessee Drivers License Class D with an “F” endorsement and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates.
-Incumbents must obtain a minimum number of Continuing Educational Units (CEU’S) every two years to maintain a Paramedic certification.
-Additional certifications (preferred but optional) include: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, Neonatal Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Vehicle Rescue Certification, Farm Rescue Certification and Emergency Vehicle Operations Certification.
Physical Requirements
-This is very heavy work requiring exertion more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds of force frequently, and more than 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
-Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions.
-Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
-Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communication and/ or make fine distinctions in sound.
-Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts at or within arm’s length, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.
-The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, oils, and wearing a respirator.
-The worker may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.