Paramedic- Assessment and Intervention Center

Division:Eskenazi Health

Sub-Division: SEMHC

Req ID: 24372

Schedule: Full Time

Shift: Days

Mon-Fri: 11am-7:30pm

Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, Indiana's first community mental health center, provides comprehensive care for emotional and behavioral problems, including severe mental illness and substance abuse. The Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including several outreach centers as well as clinic- and community-based services.

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Job Role Summary

The Assessment and Intervention Center (AIC) Paramedic is responsible for intake, withdrawal management protocols, and evaluation of resident medical needs at the Assessment and Intervention Center. They ensure that intakes meet eligibility criteria, evaluate medical and withdrawal needs upon intake and as needed, and ensure the overall safety of the milieu. This position works collaboratively with physicians and other health professionals to implement treatments, dispense medications, and give medication and injections in accordance with prescribed orders, and protocols for the Assessment and Intervention Center. The additionally engage residents in ongoing discussions regarding recovery, and needed linkage to primary care, behavioral health, and/or substance use treatment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
• Proactively contributes to Eskenazi's mission: Advocate, Care, Teach and Serve with special emphasis on the vulnerable population of Marion County. Models Eskenazi values.
• Endorses and models a strengths based, community centered model of care.
• Works under the authority of protocols established by the Assessment and Intervention Center Medical Director.
• Responsible and accountable for maintaining controlled medications (narcotics)
• Document all relevant information in a prescribed format.
• Maintains the safety and security of residents, staff, equipment and supplies
• Ensures equipment being used is clean, reports needed repairs; replenishes supplies in areas as needed
• Verbally interview residents to gather information regarding chief complaints and medical history
• Participates in healthcare team approach for residents in accordance with policy/procedure and established protocols. May perform limited respiratory treatments which may include O2 titration/oximetry, aerosols, IPPD/PPD, multi-dose inhaler treatments, sputum cultures, ABGs
• May perform phlebotomy procedures (i.e., venipuncture, capillary sticks)
• May perform other procedures that include: , medication administration, starting IV-DCs,
• Takes vital signs; assists/gives baths; suctions; may perform Accuchecks; assists with trach care/ostomy care; performs neuro/vascular checks; takes resident weights; counsels/assists with personal care
• Applies ACE wrapping; ambulates residents; stimulates residents (cognitive reorientation/ recognition)
• Attends/participates in in-service education, quality assurance programs, and required department meetings
• Alters activities/behaviors to reflect/ensure adequate care appropriate to the age of residents served (i.e., geriatric, adult) as described in unit age-specific and/or job-specific competencies

Job Requirements
• Active Indiana certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
• Current CPR and ACLS certifications
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as an RN or Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in behavioral health or substance use treatment settings

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge
o Knows how to use body substance isolation techniques protects the resident(s), self, and other providers from possible contamination.
o Knows how to take safety precautions to protect the sick, injured and those assisting in the care of the resident(s).
o Knows how to inspect for medical identification emblems, bracelets or cards that provide emergency care information.
o Knows how to dispose of contaminated supplies in accordance with established guidelines, decontaminates the area and reusable goods.
o
• Skills
o Can calculate drip rates and drug concentrations, render appropriate approved intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as indicated by online medical direction and/or established EMS Protocols.
o Can perform cardiac monitoring, 12 lead EKG tracings and interprets results.
o Can manage airway and ventilations of residents to include BLS and ALS airways as indicated.
o Has good interpersonal communication skills; accurate reading/recording of information
o Can follow oral/written instructions, communicate/work effectively with a wide variety of people and residents of all ages
o Can function effectively in stressful or crisis situations, accurately read/record data, be flexible to changing work priorities, assist in assessing and responding to resident needs
• Abilities
o Ability to perform approved intervention and assists the resident as indicated.
o Ability to manage medical residents to include but not limited to: management of respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, allergic, behavioral, and environmental emergencies and suspected poisonings and overdoses.
o Ability to carry and places the resident in the ambulance and assures that the resident and stretcher are secured, and continues emergency medical care en-route in accordance with local protocols if needed
o Ability to determine the most appropriate facility for resident transport in conjunction with resident input and condition.
o Ability to report to the receiving facility the nature and extent of injury/illness and the number of residents being transported if required
o Ability to maintain work environment in appropriate conditions, which includes cleanliness, orderliness and prompt restocking of equipment and supplies.

Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center's primary mission is to serve individuals with serious mental illness and chronic addiction as well as seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families. Patients of all ages are welcomed, from children to seniors, with a philosophy of care that stresses strength-based and family- and community-centered treatment utilizing the Recovery Model of treatment.