Paramedic Job Description

What is the job description of a Paramedic? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Paramedic? What does a Paramedic do?

Job description of a Paramedic

Paramedics provide an immediate response to emergency medical calls. They are usually the first senior healthcare professional on the scene and they are responsible for assessing a patient’s condition and providing treatment and care prior to hospital admission.

Paramedic treatment may include resuscitating and stabilising a patient; using high tech equipment such as a defibrillator; applying spinal and traction splints; administering intravenous drips, drugs and oxygen.

This Paramedic job description example includes the list of most important Paramedic duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Paramedic profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Paramedic Duties and Responsibilities

Paramedic job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Assessing whether and how to move patients and, where appropriate, the best location to transport them to;
  • Cleaning, decontaminating and checking vehicles and equipment to maintain a state of operational readiness;
  • Liaising with members of other emergency services, such as the police, fire brigade or coast guard and other ambulance services to ensure the appropriate level of response is provided;
  • Assessing the condition of patients who are injured or taken ill suddenly;
  • Monitoring the patient’s condition;
  • Dealing with members of the public and family members present at the scene;
  • Assisting with patient care in hospitals or health care centres;
  • Providing an immediate course of treatment en route to hospital or on scene;
  • Applying splints to limbs, dressing wounds, administering pain relief, oxygen, drips and fluids;
  • Using highly technical equipment, including ventilators to assist breathing and defibrillators to treat heart Failure, in order to resuscitate and stabilise patients;
  • Carrying out certain surgical procedures when necessary, such as intubation (insertion of a breathing tube);
  • Responding to emergency calls for medical assistance at accidents, emergencies and other related incidents, usually in an ambulance with an ambulance technician or emergency care assistant to help;
  • Driving and crewing an ambulance or other rapid response vehicle;
  • Producing thorough case notes and reporting the patient’s history, condition and treatment to relevant hospital staff.

Paramedic Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Paramedic job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Diploma or bachelor’s degree in paramedical science.
  • Previous working experience as a Paramedic for (x) year(s)
  • Licensed Paramedic (Advanced Paramedic certification preferred) and Certified CPR Instructor
  • In-depth knowledge of medical procedures, terminology and medications
  • Compassionate and friendly personality
  • Critical thinker and problem solver
  • Team player
  • Hands on experience with medical equipment and devices
  • Outstanding patient management skills
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills
  • Valid driver’s license

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Paramedic starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Paramedic job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Paramedic may also reference it in preparation for the interview.