EMS Cadet - Communications; Academy

Overview

When someone calls 9-1-1, seconds matter. They’re often in crisis, panicked, and need immediate help. Communications Medics at Austin-Travis County EMS provide this help: calmly, with clear instructions and words of encouragement over the phone. They are our “first” first responders and play a vital role in our third service EMS system at Austin-Travis County. If you are compassionate, caring, and great at multi-tasking, this is the job for you!

We are looking for qualified candidates to provide this critical service from our state-of-the-art Communications center in Central East Austin.

Each new hire starts as a Cadet, attending a paid 8-week training academy. Following graduation of the academy, each Cadet must complete a field training period prior to being cleared to independent duty and serving as a Medic. Our Communications Medics answer 9-1-1 calls that require emergency medical services. As a 9-1-1 call-taker, they triage medical complaints, assess life threats and provide medical care and interventions over the phone.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Participates in the Austin – Travis County Emergency Medical Services Academy training program, which includes daily room lectures and laboratory practice, response simulations, and other orientation activities, to qualify incumbent for graduation from the Academy and promotion to EMS Medic - Communications.
• Develops knowledge to determine appropriate action for calls, including providing emergency medical self-help with pre-arrival instructions, triaging medical conditions by phone and determining callers’ location through standardized medical triage.
• Develops skills for assisting callers by analyzing, evaluating, and determining appropriate emergency medical pre-arrival instructions as defined by the Medical Director.
• Participates in the learning of operating a variety of communication and computer-based equipment used in taking 911 medical calls, including dispatching and monitoring the various EMS Units and STAR flight helicopter services.
• Develops knowledge and skills in documenting patient care and other reports appropriately.

This position is classified as an “essential” position, meaning you will be required to work during holidays and bad weather (ice storms, flooding, etc.) when the City is otherwise closed.

Upon completion and graduation from the EMS Academy, a cadet will be certified as a Medic – Communications in substantial compliance with Chapter 143 Local Government Code. After successfully serving the entire probationary period of twelve (12) months from date of hire as a Medic – Communications, will automatically become a full-fledged civil service employee and have full civil service protection.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older (no upper age limit)
• Must read, write, and speak English
• Must be eligible for employment in the U.S.
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• Must be certified as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) or higher

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License (or the ability to obtain a Texas driver's license by Academy start date)
• Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an EMT-Basic or higher (or eligibility for reciprocity at that level of certification if applying from out of state)
  • For the initial application, applicants can apply with any valid State or National Registry certification (EMT-B or higher). Texas reciprocity will be required if offered employment.
• National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification within ninety (90) days of the date of initial hire
• American Heart Association CPR Certification within ninety (90) days of the date of initial hire.

Must successfully complete the Austin-Travis County Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) credentialing process within nine (9) months from the date of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess…