Assistant Chief of EMS/Paramedic

Job Position: Assistant Chief of EMS/Paramedic

Classification: Exempt-Executive; Full-time

Job description

The Assistant Chief of EMS supervises, leads, and directs the activities of one or more divisions in the Hualapai Fire and EMS. The Assistant Chief of EMS is responsible for analyzing, planning, designing, implementing, and administering EMS programs as well as assisting in other department-wide and community-oriented programs. These include Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), problem resolution, and certification and recertification of EMS providers. Other duties include: evaluating EMS data, identifying methods of providing effective emergency medical care, identifying methods to correct complex medical issues and patient care delivery situations, and designing quality assurance programs to measure program outcomes and effectiveness.

The Assistant Chief of EMS conducts research and analysis of current and future EMS issues and trends to ensure quality medical services. The Assistant Chief of EMS will assist with the development of standard operating procedures. The Assistant Chief of EMS will assist the Chief in accomplishing overall organizational goals through program management, provider and system evaluation, and quality assurance. The Assistant Chief of EMS will serve as a liaison between the Fire Department, Medical Director, Arizona Department of Health Services, and other outside agencies.

The Assistant Chief of EMS performs executive-level administrative and managerial work; they participate in planning, developing policies, and resolving conflict. They are responsible for fiscal management and assist in the planning, directing, and reviewing of activities and operations of the Hualapai Fire and EMS department, to include Emergency Medical Service, fire suppression, hazardous materials, and fire and life safety codes in the absence of the Fire Chief, along with other administrative services. The Assistant Chief of EMS serves in the capacity of Director/Fire Chief in the absence of the Director/Fire Chief. The Assistant Chief of EMS performs other duties as assigned by the Director/Fire Chief. This position is FLSA exempt.

Duties

Essential duties are a broad overview of the position expectations and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills or responsibilities. Below is the generalized list of duties; the employee is responsible for all other duties as assigned by the Director/Fire Chief.

1. Administers and oversees EMS aspects of Department operations.


2. Formulates EMS and Prevention and public education objectives.


3. Established and maintains an effective working relationship with tribal officials and staff.


4. Communicates closely with area agencies, hospitals, AZDHS, and medical director and sits on committees.


5. Oversees the ordering and distribution of EMS supplies and related equipment.


6. Administers, evaluates, observes, and assists with EMS education, training, and other related activities to address department standards and deficiencies.


7. Manages records of all medically certified personnel.


8. Manages records of all medication administration and security in accords with all regulations and laws


9. Attends trainings and represents the department in matters related to EMS.


10. Explains and interprets the rules, regulations, and policies of the department and assists with development.


11. Coordinates EMS Billing program


12. Instructs, advises, and mentors department healthcare providers, serving as the department's Emergency Medical Services Training Officer.


13. Advises the Director/Fire Chief and appropriate staff officers of issues in designated areas.


14. Reviews budgets, makes budgetary recommendations, conducts administrative studies of management issues, develops strategic and operational plans, implements accreditation requirements, develops program proposals, reviews policies and procedures, and produces statistical and other reports on department programs and activities, and makes recommendations regarding performance ratings and disciplinary actions.


15. Responds to major incidents to assume a command level position as necessary or requested.


16. Manages the departments quality improvement and quality assurance initiatives for all patient contacts, patient care reports, and overall standards of care expectations, and addresses any deficiency promptly.


17. Participate in the development of the department work plan; assign work activities and projects.


18. Respond to major emergencies and assist with fire suppression, emergency medical services, or fill command staff as necessary.


19. Participate in research of alternative approaches to fire suppression, hazardous materials, fire and life safety codes, and other emergency programs with a primary focus on emergency medical services.


20. Prepares a variety of technical and department activity reports and records.


21. Respond to difficult complaints and request for information from employees and the public.


22. Represent the Director/Fire Chief, department, and tribe in all relationships.


23. Attend and participate in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops.


24. Functions as the department's Infection Control Officer


25. All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree


• 15 years of increasingly responsible, full-time, and related work experience in Emergency Medical Services.


• NREMT/AZDHS Paramedic x 10 years


• Valid class D driver’s license – Arizona


• Leadership I, II, and III or equivalent.**


• ICS- 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800


• Fire Officer I**


• Fire Instructor I**


• 10 years working in a tribal setting


• Public Information Officer**


• Incident Safety Officer**


• Instructor for CPR/ACLS/PALS


• Experience as EMT/Paramedic Instructor with an accredited school.

Preferred/Desirable:

• Fire Instructor II


• Fire Officer II, III

**Must be able to obtain in the time frame set forth by the department.

Or, any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be substituted for evaluation at the discretion of the Director/Fire Chief.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of effective Emergency Medical Services and public administration, with special reference and attention to policy, personnel, and budget administration.


2. Principles of Emergency Medical Services, operations, planning and organization.


3. Modern personnel management techniques, supervisory, leadership and evaluation methods.


4. Budget presentation and monitoring.


5. Facilities equipment, and personnel needed to provide fire/rescue/EMS services.


6. Incident command experience including Fireground operations, Emergency Medical Services, and mass casualty incidents.


7. Progressive approaches to employee relations.


8. Communications operations affecting dispatching.


9. Disaster preparedness, management, and recovery practices.


10. Techniques required for planning and delivering all-risk public education.

Skills Required:

1. Exemplary organizational, verbal and written skills.


2. Motivating, communicating with, and instruction others in both technical and non-technical language.


3. Operating fire apparatus and pumps, and fire suppression techniques.


4. Apply Advanced Life Support in accordance with Arizona and national laws.


5. Safe and proper operation of equipment and tools.


6. Write legal documentation of incidents and responding to questions before a legal counsel.


7. Supervising, evaluating, training, and motivating employees.


8. Oral communication in individual and group situations.


9. Utilizing public relations when responding to inquiries or complaints.


10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with State, Federal, Tribal and other agencies.

Ability To:

1. Work cooperatively and develop partnerships with employees, outside agencies and the public.


2. Supervise and evaluate the office staff.


3. Provide leadership to staff through planning, organizing, and motivation.


4. Deal objectively and persuasively with the public.


5. Conceptualize, observe, and evaluate trends, data and draw logical conclusions.


6. Make logical conclusions and recommendations.


7. React to emergencies quickly and calmly to adopt effective action plans.


8. Observe hazardous situations and circumstances and proceed effectively.


9. Assess and assign priorities to administrative issues and work assignments.


10. Express ideas clearly and concisely.


11. Manage complex policy issues relating to service delivery and support.


12. Review and approve training manuals, projects essential to the department's service delivery models, firefighter safety, and public safety.


13. Provide administrative direction to subordinates.


14. Work cooperatively with businesses to enhance levels of fire and life safety in the community.


15. Manage or participate in command staff during significant emergencies and disasters.


16. Serve as the medical representative of the Hualapai Fire and EMS.


17. Participate in plan reviews and public education as it relates to the department.

Performance Aptitude:

Physical abilities: Frequently sits, talks, hears and stands for potentially extended periods of time. Walks and uses hands to manipulate, handle and operate objects, tools, or controls. Reaches with hands and arms. Occasionally climbs or balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawls. Employees are required to have near vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must be able to move independently up to 50 pounds, pull objects weighing 40 pounds or more and will frequently lift objects in excess of 100 pounds.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials: Tasks require the ability to operate computers, basic office equipment, telephone, two-way radios, measuring devices, MDT, power tools, hand tools, chain saws, shovels, brooms, ladders, and exhaust fans. The position also requires the ability to operate a car, truck, fire apparatus, ambulance, and various medical equipment, including patient restraints, first aid equipment, oxygen, electronic testing equipment, and patient lifting devices. Furthermore, the position requires employees to utilize breathing apparatus, hearing and eye protection, firefighting clothing, and hazardous chemical clothing.

Environmental Factors: Some work is performed in a fire station environment, but the responders to emergencies are subject to potential personal danger.  Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, explosives, firearms, water hazards, violence, disease and pathogenic substances.  Exposure to hazardous conditions such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, burns, explosives, heights, physical injury, and fast-moving vehicles.  Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and non-biological hazards, and/or heated gases, despite the use of personal protective ensembles and SCBA.  Unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration. Employee may frequently experience interruption in sleep, meals and/or other activities.

Disclaimer The various statements above are intended to describe the general nature of the position requirements to be performed by the employee. These statements are not intended to be all inclusive or exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required of the employee.

This job description is subject to change as the needs of the job evolve or change.