Firefighter Paramedic
Newport Beach FireDISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a mid-level position in the fire suppression classification series of Firefighter, Fire Engineer, Firefighter/Paramedic and Fire Captain, and may provide functional and technical direction to Firefighters. Employees at this level possess general knowledge of City policies and procedures, as well as a thorough knowledge of basic and advanced life support, fire suppression techniques, fire prevention codes and their application, and public service principles and practices.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: This position reports to an assigned Fire Captain. Medical compliance is provided by the EMS Division Chief.
The following essential functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those below, to address business needs and changing business practices:
Respond to emergency medical incidents to provide and direct the prehospital basic and advanced life support treatment and transportation in compliance with clinical standards;
Respond to emergency incidents and function as part of a team in the suppression of fires or other emergency situations, includes operating in and exposure to hazardous conditions and environments;
Document and complete all reports such as, prehospital care reports, incident reports, drug logs, training, and continuing education records;
Perform annual fire prevention inspections on assigned occupancies and follow through until all violations have been abated;
Drive and operate fire apparatus and other automotive equipment, when required;
Assume primary responsibility for the proper servicing and maintenance of assigned apparatus, equipment, and medical supplies;
Participate in continuing training and instruction to include fire suppression, emergency medicine, fire prevention, hazardous materials, disaster response, technical rescue, occupational safety practices, customer service and other pertinent subjects; and
Perform other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge of:
Basic and advanced emergency medical care practices;
Safe emergency vehicle driving and operating practices;
City geography and traffic circulation;
County of Orange and State of California laws, ordinances, treatment guidelines, policies and procedures relating to prehospital care and transportation of the sick and injured;
Command and control principles and practices relating to medical incident management;
Operating principles and practices of fire apparatus and equipment;
Basic firefighting principles and practices;
Incident Command System position descriptions;
Hazardous Materials Fire Responder techniques;
Personal safety, wellness and fitness techniques;
Fire and Building Code and Local ordinances;
Newport Beach Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures, Department Manuals, and Administrative Guidelines; and
Principles and practices of public education and customer relations.
Ability to:
Apply technical knowledge in a critical, time-sensitive manner and make appropriate decisions regarding medical treatment and transportation;
Safely drive and operate fire apparatus and equipment under adverse traffic and weather conditions;
Operate highly sensitive and technical medical equipment;
Maintain paramedic licensure and continuing education in compliance with State and local regulations;
Perform physically demanding work for potentially extended periods of time under difficult, dangerous and stressful situations;
Learn to effectively enforce a variety of life safety and fire prevention codes;
Manage multiple tasks and assignments at the same time;
Meet the Newport Beach Fire Department medical and fitness standards;
Represent the Newport Beach Fire Department and the City of Newport Beach in a courteous, professional manner so as to not discredit or bring disrepute to the Department or City;
Maintain confidentiality of medical and other privileged information;
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Regularly and predictably attend work;
Follow directions from a supervisor;
Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures;
Accept constructive criticism; and
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
This position may be required to work overtime hours as needed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed indoors and outdoors in a variety of locations to include on-site work at calls and incidents, in a City vehicle and in the Fire Stations. When working outdoors, may be exposed to the elements; may work under cold damp or hot dry conditions; crouch, sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, grasp, drag, lift, and carry items weighing 45 pounds or more; climb ladders and stairs; pull and use fire hoses; work at heights greater than 10 feet; may be exposed to dust, chemicals, solvents, grease/oil, fumes, electrical and mechanical hazards, vehicular traffic, biological hazards, vibration, and noise; meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, vision including the ability to distinguish colors including red, green and yellow, speaking, hearing, sense of smell, dexterity, and use of both hands and legs appropriate to the duties to be performed. May administer first aid and in an emergency, push, pull, drag, and move individuals and/or others weighing 150 pounds or more. Must be able to fight fires wearing protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. May be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids or communicable diseases.
A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Age: Minimum eighteen (18) years of age.
Education: High school graduation or GED equivalency.
License or Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties, which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required.
Graduation from a California Office of the Fire Marshal State Fire Training Accredited Academy, IFSAC Firefighter 1 certificate, or Pro Board Firefighter 1 certificate.
Current California EMT-Paramedic License, National Registry EMT-Paramedic License, or completion of a paramedic program. Must possess California EMT-Paramedic license per California Administrative Code by time of appointment. Accreditation from the Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) to practice as a Paramedic must be obtained within one year of appointment.
Possession of a current Basic Life Support (CPR) for Healthcare Provider card is required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) must be obtained by end of probationary period.
Additional Requirement: Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. At that time, background information will be requested from the candidates. Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.