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This is the first level in a series of positions which provide ambulance/emergency medical services to sick or injured patients in transit to or from a hospital. Positions in this class function as ambulance drivers, as members of an emergency medical team and they provide basic life support emergency medical services. This class is distinguished from the Emergency Medical Technician Specialist in that the latter class performs advanced life support services.

Complexity of Work: Positions perform work of moderate difficulty, providing ambulance transportation and a variety of basic life support emergency medical services to patients in transit to or from a hospital or in an emergency room or intensive care unit, including patients who are experiencing life-threatening medical conditions. Emergency medical services are provided in accordance with established protocols or under the direct command of an attending physician. Positions conduct patient assessment; monitor vital signs; initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); ensure maintenance of the airway; and ensure that ambulance equipment such as cardiac monitor, IV, isolette, ventilator, and resuscitation equipment is functioning properly. Positions serve as a member of an emergency medical team and periodically as charge technician for Emergency Medical Technician positions. Positions maintain, clean, and set up medical equipment in ambulance; maintain adequate stock levels of drugs and other medical supplies in ambulance; clean and provide minor maintenance to ambulance; and prepare written reports and records relative to services provided.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor in this class. Positions may periodically serve as charge technician on an emergency medical team comprised of other Emergency Medical Technicians.

Supervision Received: Positions in this class receive general supervision from a higher level position in the Emergency Medical Technician supervisory series or another professional. They may receive direction from an Emergency Medical Technician, higher level Emergency Medical Technician or medical professional when functioning as a member of an emergency medical services team. Emergency medical services are provided in accordance with established protocols or under the direct command of an attending physician.

Scope: Positions in this class provide ambulance and basic life support emergency medical services to patients being transported to or from a hospital or being treated in an emergency room or intensive care unit.

Impact of Actions: Proper execution of duties can result in patient's health improving or in saving a life, when patients are in need of basic life support services. Failure to perform duties properly may result in patient injury, a decline in the patient's condition, loss of life, and litigation against or financial loss to the agency and/or the State.

Personal Contacts: Positions in this class have considerable daily contact with patients and their families, nursing and medical staffs, motor vehicle repair vendors, social services staff, medical and nursing staff at other hospitals, and other rescue teams.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of basic life support emergency medical services; patient assessment survey procedures; emergency techniques for obstructed airway and airway maintenance; the causes, signs/symptoms, and treatment of a wide variety of illnesses/injuries; laws pertaining to operation of a motor vehicle and an ambulance; hospital emergency radio-communications systems; and hospital procedures. Some knowledge of routine motor vehicle maintenance and helipad ground crew safety. Some knowledge of State policy and procedures pertaining to the Emergency Medical Technicians - Ambulance (A).

Skills: Not applicable.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to perform basic life support emergency medical services, such as conducting accurate patient assessment, administering CPR, administering oxygen, using approved adjunct airways, and using bag mask. Demonstrated ability to check pulse, blood pressure, and respiration; suction; drive an ambulance; communicate effectively orally; work well in emergencies; interact effectively with patients and families; and to function as charge

technician on emergency medical team consisting of Emergency Medical Technicians.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Current Virginia certification as an Emergency Medical Technician - Ambulance (A). Current certification in CPR. Possession of a valid Virginia driver's license.

Education and Training: Education or training sufficient to complete certification requirements for Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance. Successful completion of Emergency Vehicle Operators Course or an equivalent course approved by the Virginia Commissioner of Health, for positions which function as ambulance drivers.

Level and Type of Experience: No previous work experience required.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience. However, there is no substitute for the Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance (A) certification.

This class was developed as a result of a classification study conducted by Medical College of Virginia Hospitals of the Virginia Commonwealth University and validated by the Department of Personnel and Training, effective July, 1989.