An Emergency Medical Science student must possess motor and visual skills that would enable him/her to meet program objectives and perform job duties required in the profession. Specifically, the students:

1. Have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively in order to assess communication and be able to adequately transmit information to the patient and to members of the health care team.
2. Possess all the skills necessary to safely and accurately perform all emergency procedures and manipulate equipment.
3. Have the ability to lift and move immobile and physically challenged patients.
4. Have the ability to stand or sit for long periods of time.
5. Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities.
6. Have the ability to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate action.

 

Functional Job Description

(Information obtained from the: DSHS – EMS Education and Training Manual)
Job Essentials
Functional Position Description
ECA / EMT / AEMT / EMT-P

Introduction

The following general position description for the ECA, EMT, AEMT and EMT-P is provided as a guide for advising those interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies and tasks required for emergency medical services certification. It is the ultimate responsibility of an employer to define specific job descriptions within each Emergency Medical Services (EMS) entity.

Qualifications

To qualify for EMS certification or licensure an individual must successfully complete a Texas Department of Health approved course and achieve competency in each of the psychomotor skills. In addition, the individual must achieve a passing score on the state written certification or licensure examination.

EMS personnel must be at least 18 years of age. Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent. EMS personnel must have the ability to communicate verbally via telephone and radio equipment; ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance); ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations; ability to work effectively in an environment with loud noises and flashing lights; ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift; ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life threatening time constraints; ability to read and understand English language manuals and road maps; ability to accurately discern street signs and address numbers; ability to interview patient, family members and bystanders; ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient. EMS personnel should possess good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care. Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain and ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture is vital. The ability to work in low light, confined spaces and other dangerous environments is required.
 

COMPETENCY AREAS

 

ECA – Emergency Care Attendant

The ECA must demonstrate competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the United States Department of Transportation (DOT)/First Responder curriculum and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material,” and to include aids for resuscitation, blood pressure by palpation and auscultation, oral suctioning, spinal immobilization, patient assessment and adult, child and infant CPR. Automated external defibrillation is a required skill.

EMT- Emergency Medical Technician

The EMT must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic curriculum. The course shall include at least 140 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field instruction which shall include supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum.

AEMT- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

The minimum curriculum shall include all content required by the portions of the current national paramedic education standards and competencies as defined by the DOT which address the following areas:
• roles and responsibilities of the paramedic;
• well-being of the paramedic;
• illness and injury prevention;
• medical/legal issues;
• ethics;
• general principles of pathophysiology;
• pharmacology;
• venous access and medication administration;
• therapeutic communications;
• life span development;
• patient assessment;
• airway management and ventilation, including endotracheal intubation; and
• trauma

The course shall include at least 160 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field instruction which shall include supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum. Manual external defibrillation is an optional course skill.

Paramedic

A minimum curriculum shall include all content required by the current national paramedic education
standards and competencies as defined by the DOT. The course shall consist of at least 624 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field instruction that shall include supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum. Manual external defibrillation is a required skill.

**Certification as an EMT basic is required as a prerequisite to this course.**
 

Description of Tasks:

 
Receives call from dispatcher, responds appropriately to emergency calls, reads maps, may drive ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route and observes traffic ordinances and regulations. Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, takes pulse, blood pressure, visually observes changes in skin color, auscultates breath sounds, makes determination regarding patient status, establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care (based on competency level); may administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by physician. May use equipment (based on competency level) such as but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airway and ventilate patient, inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient’s blood circulation or stabilize injuries. Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to ambulance and on to a medical facility. Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care.

Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols. Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notifies authorities, arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene. Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to the facility, asks for direction from hospital physician or emergency department. Observes patient in route and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department or according to published protocol. Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility. Moves the patient into the emergency facility from the ambulance. Reports verbally and in writing concerning observations about the patient, patient care at the scene and in route to facility, provides assistance to emergency staff as required. Maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment. Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulance cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gasoline, water in battery and radiator and tire pressure.