County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the EMS Assistant Chief, the incumbent of this one-position classification participates and assists in the coordination of the emergency medical response pre-hospital care program operated by the Fire Department; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The incumbent of this classification has responsibility for developing and maintaining a comprehensive EMS educational and operational program to meet the initial and continuing EMS requirements as they relate to local and state mandates for the general public, the EMT and Paramedic. This position differs from the higher class of Assistant Chief in charge of the EMS Division in that the latter has ultimate responsibility for the coordination and oversight of the EMS Division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Develops and maintains a comprehensive EMS educational program which meets the educational requirements as they relate to local and state mandates for the public, the EMT and the Paramedic.

2. Instructs and trains on EMS procedures that relate to public education, CPR, EMT I, defibrillation, paramedic and quality improvement and assurance programs.

3. Assists with the development of presentations for short- and long-term EMS issues and goals.

4. Attends meetings to represent the interests and concerns of the Alameda County Fire Department and the fire service in general.

5. Serves to direct EMS related operations under the Incident Commander at emergency incidents.

6. Oversees EMS equipment, purchase, distribution of supplies and equipment maintenance.

7. Coordinates the maintenance of EMS records relating to certification, reports, disciplinary actions, training, vaccinations, infectious disease exposures and record data mandated by County, State or federal agencies.

8. Conducts investigations for unusual occurrence reports.

9. Tracks budget expenditures for EMS related items and makes recommendations for future budgets.

10. Assists in coordinating Alameda County Fire Department EMS program with other agencies.

11. Assists in the evaluation of EMT and paramedic performance; may counsel and recommend discipline as necessary.

12. Makes recommendations for updates in EMS protocols and procedures.

13. Prepares and maintains written records and correspondence as they relate to the EMS Division.

14. May perform the duties of a paramedic.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a Firefighter and/or Engineer in the Alameda County Fire Department or the equivalent experience as determined by the Fire Chief.

Certification:

Must possess a paramedic certification or higher level medical training.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed in the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• The role of the Fire Department as it relates to pre-hospital basic life support and definitive hospital care.
• The legal environment that surrounds emergency medical services.
• Emergency medical program management, training and methodology and techniques.
• Practices and techniques of case review, quality assurance systems review and data collection and analysis.
• Local EMS policies, protocols and committees.

Ability to:

• Assist in planning, organizing and conducting an emergency medical service training and quality assurance plan.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a cooperative working relationship with a variety of agencies, boards and commissions.
• Assist in developing and implementing program policies and procedures and overseeing, coordinating and teaching initial certification, continuing education and recertification of EMT’s to include EMT-D.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Basic typing and computer skills.
• Tracking a line item budget.
• Teaching and training various levels of EMS personnel.
• Meeting and following through within time schedules.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BG:sw
5/14/99
Old document: 8142.doc
New document: Jobspecs/8142
ys/9/01
CSC Date: 5/26/99

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.