Upon successful completion of the EMT Course and obtaining National Registry of EMTs and South Carolina Department of Public Health EMT certification, the Trainee can be promoted to a fulltime position of EMT.
This position requires the employee to attend a 16 week in-person 8-hour classroom and hands-on lab session once per week as well as an additional 24 hours working on an ambulance as an observer or student or perform other duties as assigned by the department for an approximate 36-hour work week during the employee’s initial EMT training.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attends all sessions of the EMT course taught in house and participates in class discussion activities, skills, practice and assessments and ambulance student ride-a-longs.
• Completes all assignments given out during EMT class within the required time frame.
• Performs tasks during non-classroom days which may include components of new employee orientation and training; inventory and stocking of ambulances; light station and ambulance maintenance and cleaning; and other duties as assigned.
• Works assigned shift as a third person attendant and driver on a Berkeley County Ambulance on shifts up to 24 hours in length.
• Responds to assignments during county declared major emergencies or disasters like hurricanes. EMT trainees may be utilized in pre-storm preparations and EMT trainees may be subject to disaster personnel recall.
• Uses muscular strength, coordination and endurance needed for lifting, moving, and restraining patients. Able to work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold. Able to work long periods of time in a standing position and perform well with little sleep.
• Uses aural keenness needed to evaluate physical characteristics of a patient such as blood pressure, crepitation, and lung sounds.
• Has the ability to function well in stressful situations to deal tactfully with patients, family members and co-workers. Able to cooperate and maintain a good rapport with fire, police and hospital personnel.
• Operates the ambulance communication equipment and communicates information in a professional manner.
• When functioning as an EMT student, follows the pre-approved BCEMS protocols and/or treatment orders of the medical control physician under the supervision of a BCEMS EMT or Paramedic Preceptor.
• Assists the on-duty EMS crew with preparing patients for transportation by "packaging" patients through use of appropriate splints such as back boards, cervical collars, and head immobilization devices; by removing patients from vehicle wreckage; and by restraining, lifting and carrying patients to and from the ambulance or up and down stairs.
• Drives the ambulance to reach and transport patients as quickly as possible while protecting the community from accidents by following local and state driving regulations and BCEMS vehicle operating policies and procedures; by using various maps and directional guides; and by applying a knowledge of County streets, roads and landmarks.
  • Checks the inventory of the ambulance at the beginning of each shift by visually inspecting and counting numerous items such as medical supplies and equipment. Keeps an ongoing inventory of equipment and supplies used during the shift and reports any equipment that is lost, broken or malfunctioning or which is not replaced during the shift. Ensures that the vehicle and all equipment is always kept clean and in good working order.
  • Performs an emergency vehicle safety and operational inspection at the beginning, or when assuming control of, an emergency vehicle.
  • Continually re-evaluates emergency care knowledge and techniques and participates in BCEMS training classes to maintain skill and knowledge proficiency.
  • Participates in public relation and public education presentations as requested. Presentations shall be conducted with a spirit of professionalism and enthusiasm. Provides tours of District facilities and vehicles, talking to groups, demonstrating procedures, and answering questions to increase public awareness of emergency medical care and procedures.
  • Completes routine housekeeping tasks and other assigned duties including cleaning of the ambulance and the crews' living quarters to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and maintain a constant state of preparedness.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma or equivalent;

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for South Carolina, or be able to obtain within 30 days of relocation, with a safe driving record;

• Achieve a minimum score of 75% on the department approved EMT entrance examination before beginning the program.
• Attendance is governed by South Carolina Department of Public Health regulations. Missing more than 24 hours of required classroom or laboratory instruction will result in dismissal from the EMT Program and termination from the EMT Trainee position.
• Failure of an academic module (initial examination and remediation examination) will result in academic probation. Failure of a second academic module (initial examination and remediation examination) will result in dismissal from the EMT Program and termination of employment.
• Successfully obtain National Registry EMT certification within three attempts. Failure after the third attempt will result in termination of employment.
• Successfully obtain South Carolina EMT certification.
• Successfully complete all required departmental training.
• Pass any departmental testing administered during the hiring process.
• Successfully complete a criminal background investigation if a qualifying background check is not already on file.
• This is a Safety-Sensitive Position subject to pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and random drug and alcohol testing.
• This position is designated Emergency Essential, and employees are required to report for duty during local, state, or federally declared emergencies unless specifically excused.

• Departmental testing may be administered during interview;
• A criminal background check will be completed on selected applicant if a current one (less than 3 years old) is not on file.
• This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• This position is considered emergency essential and will be required to report to work during any declared emergency situation.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals and ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to operate windows-based applications.

This position requires the employee to sit and use hands to handle, feel, finger, grasp or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; use mental acuity and repetitive motion; crouch, kneel and stoop; and walk, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to one hundred eighty (180) pounds with one assistant. Cardiovascular conditioning should be sufficient for the extended performance of cardiac chest compressions, maneuvering and lifting of the gurney and other transport tools, and transport of medical equipment and patient belongings. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job; the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. This position may work on a 24/48-hour rotation on an assigned unit or a 12-hour rotation on an assigned unit. Scheduled hours/days, job location, duties and any other information contained herein are subject to change. May be required to work extra hours and to perform extra or different duties during emergency situations.