JOB SUMMARY

Provides primary medical care and treatment to prisoners of the Salt Lake County Jails.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Current Certification with the State of Utah as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

Must receive a verified negative test result on a mandatory drug test before starting in this position. Will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing. May be subject to post accident and reasonable suspicion alcohol and drug testing. 

Upon hire, a two-step Tuberculosis skin test will be required. The first will need to be placed prior to starting employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position.

Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Performs basic emergency medical techniques in the care and treatment of patients under the supervision of the nursing or physician staff.
• Provides medical first response to emergency situations in the jails.
• Accesses and administers medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.
• Obtains and records patient temperatures, pulse rates, blood pressure, weight and height measurements, review of medications, allergies, past medical history, and places patient on pulse oximetry and cardiac monitors and other duties as directed.
• Reports and records all observed or verbalized patient concerns and changes in condition to a member of the nursing or physician staff.
• Performs specialty skills and delegated procedures under the direct supervision of the nursing or physician staff.
• Performs phlebotomy.
• Cleans and stocks examination rooms and medication carts as needed.
• Complies with medical records policies regarding the complete and accurate documentation of patient care. Initiates and maintains required records and legal documents.
• Facilitates communication and reporting to on-coming shift of health care staff members to promote continuity of patient care
• Advises patients on health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Applies universal infection control procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:  

• Basic understanding and knowledge of medical terminology
• Basic knowledge of pharmacology
• Basic Life Support Certification
• Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; and the recognition, assessment, and treatment of individuals with behavioral and/or affective disorders
• Customer service in the health care setting including needs assessment and meeting quality standards for services
• Public Health policies and procedures necessary to treat and control infectious diseases

Skills and Abilities to:

• Enter, transcribe, record, store, or maintain information in either written or electronic form
• Perform medical procedures within the scope of practice
• Maintain full awareness of surroundings and others’ reactions, adjust according to the situation while providing health care services to prisoners
• Monitor/assess medical emergencies or issues and form medical response while maintaining the safety of those involved
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Recognize problems, analyze information, evaluate results, and apply general rules and standard operating procedures to choose the best solution and solve problems
• Establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships
• Handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner
• Understand and apply security measures in the Jail environment
• Apply universal infection control procedures
• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position works in the Salt Lake County Jail (which is a locked down facility), has direct contact with prisoners, and may be exposed to stress because of human behavior in a jail environment.

It is NOT expected that the EMT/AEMT will provide care to prisoners without the direct observation and assistance of a corrections deputy.

Push and maintain control of medication cart weighing approximately 150 lbs., walk extensive distances, kneel, bend, and stand for long periods of time, climb stairs while transporting medical equipment, twisting and lifting heavy equipment, lift backboards and transport patients up or down stairs.