Paramedic, AEMT and EMT
Wake County EMS offers sign-on bonuses and recruitment incentives for Paramedic positions tiered up to $5,000!
EMT Pay
- $20.00-$32.00 per hour = $43,800-$70,080 per year
AEMT Pay
- $22.50-$36.00 per hour = $49,275-$78,840 per year
Paramedic Pay
- $28.13-$45.00 per hour = $61,594-$98,550 per year
What You'll Be Doing
Emergency Medical Technicians are the primary provider of prompt, compassionate, and clinically excellent emergency medical care to the sick and injured citizens of and visitors to Wake County. Technicians are responsible for operating emergency vehicles, biomedical equipment, and other equipment necessary for patient and situational assessment, treatment, and transport in an emergency setting. Technicians are required to effectively interact and communicate with individuals and groups of individuals from all education levels, cultural backgrounds, belief structures, and states of health. Technicians are also responsible for performing routine cleaning and basic maintenance of equipment, facilities, and vehicles. They will also participate in community outreach and public education opportunities. A successful candidate is someone with a high level of communication and problem-solving skills who either currently holds a North Carolina EMS certification or is eligible to receive a North Carolina EMS certification. This candidate is expected to understand scene management and be able to operate effectively within an Incident Command System. The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the ability to calmly and effectively work in high-stress and emotionally charged situations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Understand and practice our mission statement of Prompt, Compassionate, and Clinically Excellent Care
- Perform advanced life support skills utilizing liberal standing order protocols to guide patient care
- Provide comfort and compassion to patients and family
- Interview and assess patients to identify chief complaint(s) or issues, obtain relevant information from the patient, their family or caretaker (s), bystanders/citizens, or other sources, and identify alternative solutions if necessary
- Lift and carry equipment, stretchers, and patients to facilitate response to and transport of patients
- Safely and respectfully operate an emergency vehicle
- Respond to requests for service whenever and wherever needed, including all times of day and all types of weather
- Complete documentation through patient care reporting systems, electronic and paper-based logs, reporting software, and databases
- Effectively and efficiently utilize technology such as in-vehicle navigation, laptop computers, biomedical equipment, computer-aided dispatch, online education portals, high-fidelity simulators, etc.
- Maintain cleanliness of equipment, vehicles, and facilities
- Decontaminate and disinfect equipment and vehicles as needed
- Regularly inventory and restock equipment and vehicles
- Effectively and respectfully communicate through written, oral and visual means with all individuals and groups of individuals
- Effectively work while wearing a variety of different personal protective equipment, including turnout gear, chemical protective clothing, and respiratory protection
- Effectively work as an individual and as a member of a team
- Regularly attend and participate in training.
- Participate in community outreach and public education events
- Participate in various department-specific committees regarding decisions on protocols, equipment, vehicles, uniforms, etc.
- Precept students from paramedic programs locally and nationwide on their clinical rotations
PLEASE NOTE: ***A criminal background and driving record check will be conducted, and a pre-employment drug test is required.
About Our Team
Wake County EMS is responsible for the Wake County EMS System. This responsibility includes the provision of 911 EMS response, EMS system plan development and maintenance, education plan development and maintenance, system provider training and re-credential oversight, medical oversight and quality assurance, data collection and research, and oversight of non-emergency ambulance franchises. The system comprises 911 ambulance providers, emergency medical dispatchers, and fire first responders at the EMT credential level. Within Wake County are three hospital systems managing five hospital-based emergency departments: a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Level 3 Trauma center, a Pediatric Specialty ER, two Cardiac Specialty centers, three Stroke centers, and four free-standing centers ER's. The system responded to over 127,000 requests for service in 2022 and has seen an average 5% growth rate in the last several years. All EMS units work off an 800 MHz radio system, automatic vehicle locator system, and closest unit response process. In addition to the regular 911 responses, the Wake County EMS System has well-developed mobile integrated health (community paramedic) and research programs. Franchised for-profit ambulance providers provide non-emergency ambulance services, and specialty care ambulance transport services are provided through hospital-affiliated ambulance providers. Wake County EMS is funded through the Wake County general fund.
How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
- Ability to use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and reaching conclusions
- Ability to act consistently with available facts, constraints, and anticipated consequences and to be proactive
- Ability to develop relationships with patients, family, bystanders, and citizens by listening to and understanding identified medical needs and responding appropriately with clear, concise information.
- Ability to actively participate as a member of a team to build, develop and maintain ongoing effective relationships with coworkers, fellow responders, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers to encourage and support communication and teamwork
- Ability to deal with others in difficult and complex situations, using appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict
- Ability to confer with others to explore alternatives and reach resolutions or an outcome acceptable to all parties
- Ability to function in a physically demanding environment, requiring strength, flexibility, and endurance
- Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or work environment and adjust effectively to work within the new environment
- Knowledge of Safety and Health Management policies and procedures
- Ability to contribute to a culture of safety for everyone ensuring work processes are free from safety and health hazards
- Ability to follow instructions, perform routine tasks and check work for accuracy
- Ability to be relied upon to ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner
- Ability to monitor programs and activities and take corrective actions
- Ability to maintain social, ethical, and organizational norms, firmly adhering to codes of conduct and ethical principles
- Ability to understand the impact and implications of decisions on the community and other departments
What Makes Wake Great
Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The county's central location allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners elected at large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.57 billion, employs over 4400 employees, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives, such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules, and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
The position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless state law requires, a conviction record will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours, and/or work location in preparation for, during, and after the emergency. Employees may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
- High school diploma or GED
- No specific experience required
- Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
- Certification as a North Carolina EMT, AEMT, or EMT-P