Paramedic (EMT)

About the Department

Position Duties

• Essential Functions listed below represent the core clinical, physical, and operational duties that an individual must be able to perform to successfully fulfill the requirements of the Norfolk Fire-Rescue Paramedic position: Advanced Clinical Care & Emergency Interventions Perform high-level diagnostic assessments on pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients under dynamic, high-stress conditions to identify life-threatening medical anomalies. Administer field-initiated Advanced Life Support (ALS) interventions including endotracheal intubation, surgical airways, chest decompressions, and intraosseous (IO) access according to Tidewater EMS (TEMS) protocols. Interpret 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to diagnose acute myocardial infarctions or lethal dysrhythmia, and perform advanced cardiac therapies including synchronized cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, and defibrillation. Calculate and administer complex dosages of emergency medications, controlled substances, and intravenous fluids via intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraosseous routes. Operate specialized medical technology such as mechanical ventilators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), advanced cardiac monitors, capnography, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. Serve as the Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) on emergency scenes, assuming ultimate responsibility for patient triaging, stabilization, safety, and ultimate disposition. Author comprehensive Electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCR) using professional, objective medical terminology that satisfies all clinical, legal, billing, and quality assurance metrics before shift completion. Conduct mandatory shift inspections of emergency vehicles, controlled substances, advanced airway bags, and biomedical electronics to ensure 100% operational compliance with Virginia Office of EMS guidelines. Adapt to an irregular 24/7 shift (24 hours on / 72 hours off), maintaining acute mental acuity, rapid reaction times, and emotional resilience through periods of high call volume.
• Essential Functions listed below represent the core clinical, physical, and operational duties that an individual must be able to perform to successfully fulfill the requirements of the Norfolk Fire-Rescue Paramedic position:
• Advanced Clinical Care & Emergency Interventions
• Perform high-level diagnostic assessments on pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients under dynamic, high-stress conditions to identify life-threatening medical anomalies.
• Administer field-initiated Advanced Life Support (ALS) interventions including endotracheal intubation, surgical airways, chest decompressions, and intraosseous (IO) access according to Tidewater EMS (TEMS) protocols.
• Interpret 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to diagnose acute myocardial infarctions or lethal dysrhythmia, and perform advanced cardiac therapies including synchronized cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, and defibrillation.
• Calculate and administer complex dosages of emergency medications, controlled substances, and intravenous fluids via intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, or intraosseous routes.
• Operate specialized medical technology such as mechanical ventilators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), advanced cardiac monitors, capnography, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.
• Serve as the Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) on emergency scenes, assuming ultimate responsibility for patient triaging, stabilization, safety, and ultimate disposition.
• Author comprehensive Electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCR) using professional, objective medical terminology that satisfies all clinical, legal, billing, and quality assurance metrics before shift completion.
• Conduct mandatory shift inspections of emergency vehicles, controlled substances, advanced airway bags, and biomedical electronics to ensure 100% operational compliance with Virginia Office of EMS guidelines.
• Adapt to an irregular 24/7 shift (24 hours on / 72 hours off), maintaining acute mental acuity, rapid reaction times, and emotional resilience through periods of high call volume.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Knowledge of practices to include safety and infection control procedures pertaining to the use and operation of equipment, tools, and protective gear. Knowledge of incident command procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and basic maintenance needs including medical apparatus. General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Prior EMS experience at the Paramedic level within a 911 response system is preferred.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Knowledge of practices to include safety and infection control procedures pertaining to the use and operation of equipment, tools, and protective gear.
• Knowledge of incident command procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and basic maintenance needs including medical apparatus.
• General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Prior EMS experience at the Paramedic level within a 911 response system is preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Required Certifications: Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.) Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)* Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP)* Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)* Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification* Hazmat Materials Awareness Course* ICS 100, 200, 700, 800* If not current, Paramedics will be provided training and must successfully obtain certification within 60 days of hire date to continue employment. For any questions, please email NFR Recruiting . To view all department specific Automatic Disqualifiers, CLICK HERE . Tobacco Use: Selected candidates will be required to sign an acknowledgement indicating that they will refrain from using tobacco products, both on and off-duty. Signing Bonu s : This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.
• Required Certifications: Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.) Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)* Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP)* Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)* Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification* Hazmat Materials Awareness Course* ICS 100, 200, 700, 800* If not current, Paramedics will be provided training and must successfully obtain certification within 60 days of hire date to continue employment.
• Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Paramedic at time of hire. (National Registry Paramedics will be considered; however, Virginia reciprocity is the responsibility of the applicant to be hired.)
• Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) released Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)*
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS or PEPP)*
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)*
• Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification*
• Hazmat Materials Awareness Course*
• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800*
• If not current, Paramedics will be provided training and must successfully obtain certification within 60 days of hire date to continue employment.
• For any questions, please email NFR Recruiting .
• To view all department specific Automatic Disqualifiers, CLICK HERE .
• Tobacco Use: Selected candidates will be required to sign an acknowledgement indicating that they will refrain from using tobacco products, both on and off-duty.
• Signing Bonu s : This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.

Benefits

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking. Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization. Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union. Retirement If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction. If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction. The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution. NOTE: The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type. Non-City Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking. Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization. Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union. Retirement
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization. Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union. Retirement
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union. Retirement
• Retirement
• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

Supplemental Questions