Job Purpose

• The Emergency Services Officer is responsible to respond to medical and fire emergencies, incidents and accidents; to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and to transport patients to a medical facility, in order to prevent loss of life, contain an injury or prevent damage to the property; in line with health and safety legislation, and regulations and Company standards

Education

• Grade 12
• BLS(Basic Life Support) Qualification ;  ILS (Intermediate Life Support) and  Ambulance Emergency Assistant (ANA) Qualification will be advantageous
• Diploma in Intermediate Life Support (ILS) will be advantageous

Experience

• 3 years’ experience as an ambulance attendant/emergency services officer

Skills and Knowledge

Core behavioural competencies 

• Collecting Information (Sourcing, Checking, Documenting)
• Contextual Reasoning
• Following Procedures
• Responding with urgency
• Informing & Communicating
• Initiating Action
• Managing Risk
• Collaborating
• Maintaining Composure 

Technical / proficiency competencies

• Knowledge and application of fire protection principles
• Fire cause determination and investigation
• Use and storage of hazardous materials
• Fluid and thermodynamics
• HIRA Inspections, Impact and risk assessments
• Investigation & Incident Reporting
• Disaster management
• Intermediate Life Support Skills and Rescue Techniques
• Knowledge of basic medical-legal principles;
• Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety regulations; and medical legislation;
• Knowledge of Fire Services Brigade Act
• Written and verbal communication skills 

Key Performance Areas

• Respond to calls from the dispatcher or manager on shift, and drive the ambulance / fire engine / emergency vehicle to the address or location given,
• Upon arrival at the scene of crash, illness, or fire, park the ambulance in a safe location to avoid additional injury or damage
• Obey and follow traffic ordinances and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operation when moving to an emergency scene and when transporting patients to a medical facility
• Complies with regulations and protocols on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities and arranges for protection of property and evidence at the scene
• Restock and replace used linens, blankets and other supplies
• Cleans all equipment and the ambulance following appropriate disinfecting procedures
• Check of all equipment so that the ambulance is ready for the next run
• Decontaminates the interior of the vehicle after transporting of patients with contagious infection or hazardous materials exposure.
• Inspect equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshoot malfunctions; notify supervisors of needed repairs; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Test hydrants; requesting and expediting repairs; to ensure availability of water at fire scene
• Maintain fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.
• Store equipment safely and securely for future action
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge, and continued education and refresher training of new technologies, equipment and medical care; and participating in scheduled drills
• Complete and file case documentation around the incident and actions taken
• Reports verbally and in writing, observations and emergency medical care of the patient at the emergency scene and in transit, for purposes of records and diagnostics
• Provide a handover report for any outstanding cases
• Feedback provided to the call centre to close the call and update the system
• Interact with guests and provide professional service standards and solutions
• Handle complaints, disputes and suggestions as required
• Shift handover ensures that staff have sufficient insights and information with regards outstanding cases

In cases of Medical Emergency or Accident:

• In the absence of law enforcement, create a safe traffic environment, such as the placement of road flares, removal of debris and redirection of traffic for the protection of the injured and those assisting in the care of injured patients
• Determine the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care
• Administer emergency medical and or trauma care, to adults, children and infants as per HPCSA guidelines, based on assessment findings
• Assess allergic reaction, seizures, poisoning behavioural emergencies, and environmental emergencies
• Assess psychological crises and recommend relevant care is provided based upon assessment of the patient and obtaining historical information.
• Search for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care.
• Assist patients with prescribed medications, oxygen, oral glucose, etc.
• Reassure patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.
• Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury and gives all possible emergency care and protection to the entrapped patient and uses the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient.
• Provides simple rescue service if the ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit.
• After extrication, provides additional care in triaging the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures, ensuring that the patient is securely placed in the ambulance
• Continue to provide emergency medical care while enroute to the medical facility.
• On arrival at the medical facility, reports the nature and extent of injuries, the number being transported and the destination to assure prompt medical care on arrival.
• Assists in lifting and carrying the patient out of the ambulance and into the receiving medical facility