View Position Qualification

3-509-1015

Name

Paramedic

Status

Published

Version

1.7

Updated

4/30/2024 1:09:05 PM

Original Release

03/09/2021

Last Major Release

NQS Position

Resource Category

Emergency Medical Services

Primary Core Capability

Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Paramedic is a health professional whose primary focus is to respond to, assess and triage emergent, urgent and nonurgent requests for medical care; apply basic and advanced knowledge and skills necessary to determine patient physiological, psychological and psychosocial needs; administer medications; interpret and use diagnostic findings to implement treatment; provide complex patient care; and facilitate referrals or access to a higher level of care when the patient's needs exceed the capability level of the Paramedic. The Paramedic may also operate an ambulance when necessary

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

Ambulance Ground Team or Ambulance Strike Team

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The Paramedic: 1. Functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response, community, health or public safety system with advanced clinical protocols and medical oversight 2. Performs interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance, including agency medical director-approved diagnostic equipment 3. Provides specialized interfacility care during transport 4. Facilitates medical decisions at an emergency scene and during transport 5. Provides an important link in the continuum of healthcare 6. Provides an important link within the continuum of the emergency care system from an out-of-hospital response through the delivery of patients to definitive care 7. Operates an assigned ambulance or emergency vehicle used for patient care and transport, commensurate with level of emergency vehicle training, as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Type 1

The Paramedic: 1. Functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response, community, health or public safety system with advanced clinical protocols and medical oversight 2. Performs interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance, including agency medical director-approved diagnostic equipment 3. Provides specialized interfacility care during transport 4. Facilitates medical decisions at an emergency scene and during transport 5. Provides an important link in the continuum of healthcare 6. Provides an important link within the continuum of the emergency care system from an out-of-hospital response through the delivery of patients to definitive care 7. Operates an assigned ambulance or emergency vehicle used for patient care and transport, commensurate with level of emergency vehicle training, as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Successful completion of a state, local, tribe or territory-approved Paramedic training program that meets or exceeds National EMS Education Standards

Training

The NIMS Training Program defines a national baseline to guide and promote NIMS training. It provides recommendations to assist AHJs in developing their own training plans, tailored to their specific needs

Type 1

Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in ambulance and emergency vehicle operations, or equivalent as required by the AHJ 6. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 8. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens

Experience

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Current active status with a state, local, tribe or territory approved EMS agency, practicing at the Paramedic level

Physical/Medical Fitness

1. The NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines physical/medical fitness levels for NIMS positions 2. PPE is mission specific and may vary by working environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves and masks

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. Arduous 2. Is able to work while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 3. Immunizations commensurate with mission assignment

Currency

Provider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include: • A background check completed within the past 12 months • A sex-offender registry check • A local, state and national driving and criminal history

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. Complies with accrediting entity, agency or body’s established annual recertification, training and education, such as continuing education units or professional development hours, which may vary by organization, department and agency 2. Background checks as applicable law permits or as required by the AHJ

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. State, local, tribe or territory-granted active status of legal authority to function as a Paramedic 2. Emergency vehicle operator certification, as required by the AHJ

Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
This position can be ordered as a single resource or in conjunction with a National Incident Management System (NIMS)-typed team (Ambulance Ground Team – Advance Life Support [ALS], Ambulance Ground Team – Basic Life Support [BLS], Ambulance Strike Team – ALS, Ambulance Strike Team – BLS or Emergency EMS Task Force)
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment
The position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours and is deployable up to 14 days

1577

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Ambulance Ground Team – ALS
FEMA, NIMS 508: Ambulance Ground Team – BLS
FEMA, NIMS 508: Ambulance Strike Team – ALS
FEMA, NIMS 508: Ambulance Strike Team – BLS
FEMA, NIMS 508: Ambulance Task Force
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the NWS, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100
IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Association of State EMS Officials, National EMS Scope of Practice Model 2019 (DOT HS 812-666), February 2019
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards, 2021
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted

Version	Publish Date	Document Type
Published Versions
1.7	4/30/2024 1:09:05 PM	PDF
1.6	3/10/2021 10:46:19 AM	PDF
1.5	3/9/2021 8:41:09 AM	PDF
1.4	6/1/2020 2:23:11 PM	PDF
1.3	1/4/2019 4:13:24 PM	PDF
1.2	9/28/2018 5:09:25 PM	PDF
1.1	4/8/2014 7:03:47 PM	PDF
1.0	1/22/2014 4:09:59 PM	Unavailable