Welsh Ambulance Services Nhs Trust

WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICES NHS TRUST

Job Description Dec 2004

Job Title IHCD Emergency Medical Technician

Location Pembrokeshire Locality

These posts are based at Withybush general Hospital, but the post holder may be required to work from other locations, as the need arises and following the normal consultation processes.

Role Overview

The post holder is a professional who works in the specialised area of pre-hospital emergency care and is employed to respond to and deal with cases arising from 999 calls received from members of the public and doctor’s emergencies, urgent calls, inter-hospital transfers and other allocated details. The post-holder is required to comply fully with Trust operational arrangements and clinical guidelines and procedures, to respond promptly to instructions from Control and senior staff, and to help provide an appropriate level of care and treatment to patients which is caring and within the post-holder’s level of training and competency. In addition, the post-holder is required to drive safely and be responsible for the proper use of a Trust ambulance or other vehicle, and will normally work with a Trust IHCD Emergency Medical Technician or IHCD Paramedic, but may work alone at times as the need arises. When working with a colleague who is less clinically qualified or less experienced, the post holder will be expected to provide appropriate guidance and instruction as necessary. Duties must be carried out in accordance with all relevant Trust operational and clinical policies, guidelines and procedures, with particular reference to those relating to clinical governance and clinical performance, and the Trust’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Professional Behaviour.

Organisational Relationships

The post-holder is responsible to WAST Operational Supervisory staff and to the wider Multi-Disciplinary team within Withybush General Hospital (WGH), and will receive allocation of transfer requests and other related information during shifts via the appropriate pathway. The post-holder must work effectively with crew members and other colleagues, and provide appropriate guidance and instructions to less clinically qualified or less experienced partners, as necessary in the circumstances. Close liaison is required with colleagues, patients, relatives and members of the public, as well as with other NHS staff, the other Emergency Services and outside organisations E.g. as circumstances dictate, liaise with other Emergency Services to decide the appropriate level of patient care, with ultimate authority for the treatment and extrication of patient(s).

Principal Responsibilities

The post-holder’s principal responsibilities and main areas of work are as indicated below.

Patient Care

·  Receive work allocated via the appropriately identified pathway from and carry out duties efficiently and effectively to help deliver a high standard of patient care and service delivery

·  Respond to calls promptly, turnout with minimum delay and plan the quickest and safest route to all calls

·  Deal with patients, relatives and the public in a calm, and professional caring manner, treating them with dignity and respect at all times, even in difficult or hostile circumstances

·  Communicate in highly emotive situations where the need for informed consent is essential to convey distressing news and manage the consequences

·  Be conversant with the Trust’s Major Incident Plan and as the first ambulance representative on scene act as Incident Officer (until relieved) and make the decision to declare a major incident having due regard to the implications that this will have on the N.H.S organisations

·  On arrival at a scene, make a dynamic risk assessment of the environment and general situation, having due regard for the health and safety of self and others, and, through Control, request additional support appropriate to the circumstances, acting where necessary as Incident Officer until relieved by a more senior member of staff

·  Obtain as much relevant information as possible by appropriate physical examination of the patient, by using appropriate medical equipment where necessary, and by asking the patient and others present where practicable, in order to make an informed clinical decision on the condition of the patient and the action required, seeking clinical advice and guidance from Trust staff and other Health Professionals and Agencies if needed

·  Provide appropriate clinical care and treatment within the level of own training and competence as an Emergency Medical Technician, in accordance with Trust training manuals and clinical guidelines and procedures, adhering to Trust requirements on clinical governance and clinical performance and using clinical interventions such as defibrillation, intra-muscular injections and assisting Paramedic with the preparation of relevant prescription drugs, fluids and equipment following guidance and instructions from Paramedic or other senior colleagues, as well as taking the lead when accompanied by less qualified staff, as necessary

·  When accompanied by less clinically qualified or experienced staff (e.g. Trainees), allocate and effectively supervise tasks, taking responsibility where necessary

·  Apply appropriate Technician skills to specific patient cases as required, including neonates, infants, paediatrics, adults, geriatrics, maternity and those people with disabilities,

·  Transfer patient to and from ambulance where necessary, using relevant equipment available and appropriate moving and handling techniques for the safety of patient, colleagues and self

·  Continue to exercise duty of care to patient, ensuring an appropriate level of monitoring and treatment is maintained throughout the journey and after arrival at destination, until such time as a transfer of duty of care can be made, when Control must be informed as soon as possible of crew availability

·  Complete the Patient Clinical Record accurately, and where the patient refuses treatment or transfer to hospital and is deemed of capacity to do so, ensure the appropriate document is signed by the patient where possible, and advise patient of alternative pathways of care.

·  In relevant circumstances, comply with Recognition of Life Extinct policy, and with tact and sensitivity, inform relatives and deal with their bereavement appropriately

·  Assess circumstances and where appropriate, report all relevant cases of Child Protection concerns under the Safeguard and Welfare of Children policy

·  Comply with Trust procedures on drug acquisition, administration and relevant record-keeping e.g. sign for receipt and usage / administration of drugs and their security

·  Maintain confidentiality of patient records at all times

·  Undertake all statutory training, re-certification and any advancement in patient care training commensurate with the Emergency Medical Technician role as defined by the IHCD and Trust

·  Participate in Trust recognised clinical trials and clinical audits, as required

·  Safe preparation and appropriate selection of Helicopter landing sites for casualty evacuation

Communications with Control Centres

·  Maintain close contact with WGH and Control on calls, patient condition, transfer of duty of care, road conditions, and any other relevant matters

·  Record accurate arrival times, and communicate crew availability for further calls, and help to ensure that WGH, and where appropriate Control staff, are aware of crew whereabouts, liaising closely on meal-breaks and any other circumstances affecting availability

·  Help ensure all necessary log sheets and required documentation are completed fully and accurately

Use of Trust Vehicles

·  Carry out vehicle worthiness checks at the start of the shift or as soon as practicable thereafter, and report any damage, defects or malfunctions.

·  Complete vehicle equipment check list, and ensure that equipment is ready for use and that expendable stores have been replenished, filling in relevant documentation, signing check list and taking over responsibility for the vehicle and its contents

·  Maintain high standards of cleanliness of vehicle during the shift in line with Trust policy

·  Drive Trust vehicles in a safe and proper manner under all driving conditions having due regard to the needs of the patient, the safety of other road users, the conditions and prevailing traffic regulations, using audio-visual warnings only where necessary

·  During the shift, report all accidents, adverse incidents, breakdowns and defects to vehicle and equipment by informing Control or Supervisor if available, and completing relevant documentation

·  To handle hazardous waste e.g. vomit, faeces, urine and patients who have had treatment with radioactive isotope fluids and to a working knowledge of contagious / infectious diseases etc., and to take necessary precautions.

·  Use all HDUHB and WAST Trust equipment, facilities and premises in a careful and proper manner, with due regard for the security of such items and the safety of self and others

·  Ensure that such equipment, facilities, and premises are kept tidy, and that high standards of cleanliness are maintained, particularly in relation to communal seating areas, shared kitchen facilities and all personally used facilities and equipment

·  Complete all necessary documentation as required by station procedures e.g. Station log book, case record sheets, defect reports, accident report forms, time sheets, telephone account and check lists and record all information in the Crew / Station Log Book for future reference.

General

·  Undertake other duties allocated by HDUHB, WAST Senior Management or Control Staff deemed to be commensurate with the post

·  Comply with all Trust policies and procedures, with particular reference to those involving Risk/Health and Safety, Dignity at Work/Equal Opportunities, and IT Security

·  Maintain awareness of current developments and initiatives, such as National Service Frameworks, which impact on patient care and give time targets for treatment

·  Sign to verify duties carried out in appropriate sections of the Trainee EMT Portfolio as and when required.

Important Note

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This job description is intended to serve as a guide to the responsibilities of the post. It is expected that responsibilities will need to be reviewed, as the organisation matures and in light of experience, in order to ensure compatibility with other roles and responsibilities, and to reflect changing circumstances.

Any proposed changes will be discussed with the post-holder.

The postholder will be required to sign an Honorary Contract to enable them to practice within their Professional Scope of Practice in Withybush General Hospital environement.

WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICES NHS TRUST

Agenda for Change Person Specification Dec 2004

Job Title IHCD Emergency Medical Technician

These are the minimum requirements needed for the trained, competent jobholder.

Qualifications

·  On entry, 5 GCSE’s at Grade ‘C’ and above, including Maths, English or Welsh and Science subject, or equivalent qualifications, e.g. NVQ’s, C&G’s Access Courses, Nursing Qualification, IHCD Ambulance Care Assistant Qualifiaction.

·  IHCD Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Qualification

·  IHCD Emergency Medical Technician qualification and successful completion of subsequent 12 month’s practical on-job training.

Knowledge

·  Full range of Emergency Medical Technician procedures, guidelines and relevant Training manuals to the required standard

·  Trust policies and procedures on Operational matters, clinical governance and performance

·  Trust Code of Conduct and Standards of Professional Beahaviour

·  Knowledge of working practices of Hospital A&E departments

·  Sound knowledge of use of Trust vehicles and equipment

·  Advanced driving techniques and Highway Code

·  Knowledge of geographical area served

·  Moving and handling techniques, and genera awareness of risk, health and safety issues and responsibilities

Experience

·  At least 12month’s working successfully as a Trainee emergency Medical Technician after passing the IHCD course at Trust or recognised Training College

·  Experience of coping with difficult situations and dealing with people in sensitive, distressing, traumatic and potentially hostile & dangerous circumstances.

Abilities and Skills

·  Good verbal and written communication skills, able to convey information well and complete all necessary documentation accurately and legibly

·  Able to work well as member of a team

·  Self disciplined, able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision

·  Good interpersonal skills, able to handle sensitive situations particularly in a professional, tactful and assertive manner where necessary

·  Logical thinker with common sense approach to problem solving

·  Able to work well under pressure, assimilate information quickly and make good decisions on diagnosis and treatment

·  Good physical co-ordination and manual dexterity particularly in difficult and camped environments and where the patient’s condition is time critical and speed and accuracy is essential

·  Application of advanced driving skills with due regard for patient condition.

General

·  Physical fitness to UK national Ambulance Fitness Test standards on entry, and DVLA Class 2 health assessment standards for driving

·  High Degree of honesty and integrity, with no CRB record of serious convictions

·  Mature person with mental and emotional resilience

·  High standard of personal hygiene, with clean, tidy appearance

·  Confident with compassionate and professional approach

·  Good health and attendance record

·  Current driving licence for Class C1/D1 with a maximum of 3 endorsement points, and no convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

·  Willing and able to work shifts

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