Paramedic

Under the City of San Diego's Emergency Medical System, Rural/Metro Paramedics perform the same duties as the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Paramedics. Rural/Metro Paramedics respond to medical emergencies and non-emergency medical calls.

Examples of Rural/Metro Paramedic Duties are similar to those of City Paramedics:

• Responds to a variety of emergency and non-emergency medical and health care situations.
• Examines a patient to assess the nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed or the need for additional assistance.
• Administers life support care to sick and injured people in a pre-hospital setting as authorized and directed by a physician for emergencies such as heart failure, insulin shock, pulmonary disease, drug overdose , fractures, head and spinal cord injuries, burns, poisoning, and obstetrical emergencies.
• Operates electrocardiograph, defibrillator and other sophisticated medical equipment.
• Communicates with physicians and other medical personnel.
• Restores, stabilizes and monitors the medical condition of a patient, using electrocardiograph, defibillator, telemetry equipment, oxygen and suction devices, and other sophisticated medical equipment, as directed by hospital physician.
• Performs advanced pulmonary ventilation to open airways.
• Administers intravenous fluids, injections of medications and drugs, closed chest cardiac massage and other procedures following established protocols.
• Interprets cardiac arrhythmias.
• Observes, records, and reports to a physician the patient's vital signs, condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
• May drive emergency vehicles to and from incident scenes and medical treatment facilities.
• Leads and instructs other emergency medical staff in emergency care procedures.
• Prepares reports of incidents.
• Checks and ascertains that assigned emergency vehicle is completely stocked and in good running condition at the beginning of and throughout the work shift.
• Performs other related emergency medical support duties.

Minimum Qualifications for the Position of Rural/Metro of San Diego Paramedic:

• One year equivalent paramedic experience, preferably in San Diego County. Possession of following current valid certificates: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Paramedic License issued by the State of California; County of San Diego EMT Paramedic Accreditation; and Basic and Advanced Life Support for the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care Provider.
   
  
• A valid California Class C Driver's License with a clean driving record and Ambulance Driver's Certificate with current medical examination card.

Information on the application process is available from San Diego Medical Services Enterprise L.L.C. at (619) 280-6060.