Community Paramedic

Class Characteristics

Under general direction, to plan, organize, and coordinate the efforts of community paramedic agencies in Clackamas County; to provide and connect patients to primary care and other services including housing; complete post-hospital follow-up care; to provide education and health promotion; to perform essential functions of a paramedic; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Public Health Division within the Department of Health, Housing and Human Services promotes and protects the health of County residents through population-based programs and services. These include immunizations, prenatal care and family planning services provided in conjunction with the County’s Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHC). Other services include nutrition education and support through WIC, emergency planning and response, vital records, community engagement to identify and address health problems, communicable disease control and food safety measures.

The Community Paramedic is a licensed Paramedic who provides community medicine to members of the community, in the community. Incumbents provide medical outreach services for houseless camps, homeless shelters, and areas of known congregation such as transit centers and parks. The incumbent has responsibility for providing basic medical evaluations/treatments, vaccination opportunities, and other resources in addition to responding to opioid and other drug overdoses, pandemic diseases, behavioral health issues, mental/medical emergency and non-emergency repetitive calls for assistance and responding to catastrophic environmental events. Assignments involve complex and difficult processes and patient assessments and require independent judgment and application of skills with little or no supervision.

The Community Paramedic differs from the Community Health Nurse which must have licensure as a registered nurse and has a different scope of practice. The Community Paramedic must have licensure as a paramedic.

Typical Tasks

Duties may include but are not limited to:

1. Collaborates with community partners on projects such as responses to opioid use and overdoses, behavioral health matters, addressing frequent 911 users, and community engagement to increase access to care; cooperates with other agencies in planning for a patient’s continuity of care.
2. Performs the scope of practice of a paramedic; administers patient care consistent with protocols, medical direction, and Public Health policies; quickly assesses medical situations and responds appropriately.
3. Examines, screens, treats, and coordinates health services for patients; performs initial in-home assessments and on-going home visits as appropriate for all referred patients; coordinates virtual visits with a care provider and arranges transport to alternate destinations.
4. Conducts post-hospital release follow-up care including but not limited to general physical exams or assessments; history and physical exams related to diagnosed conditions; daily or weekly weight checks, medication accuracy review, dressing changes, and checking vital signs.
5. Observes, records, and reports to physician patient’s conditions, reactions to drugs, treatment, and significant incidents.
6. Conducts patient education, including but not limited to diabetes prevention/treatment, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, fluid intake, nutrition, substance use disorder, and fall prevention.
7. Performs post-injury follow-up, including fall prevention activities such as securing rugs and carpets and assessing for grab bar placements.
8. Coordinates appointments and follow-ups with physicians and hospitals.
9. Connects individuals to community resources.
10. Completes required reports and documentation; compiles and uses records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning of assigned duties.
11. In cases of emergency, will supports Public Health Department Operation Center (DOC); Clackamas County Emergency Operation Center (EOC); other department emergency operations and responses which may include supporting vaccination clinics or other efforts to address emergencies in the field.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Thorough knowledge of: Principles, methods, and procedures of paramedic practice; preventative medicine; community health aspects of community paramedic programs; causes, treatment, prevention and/or early detection of communicable diseases, chronic diseases, mental illness and other disabling conditions; sociological, psychological, and physical problems involved in community paramedicine; principles of mental health.  

Working knowledge of:  Community resources available for assistance in public health programs and other pertinent human services programs; current trends and concepts relative to paramedic practice; office equipment, including personal computers and software programs.

Skill to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, coworkers, and the public; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with a wide range of individuals, in various and potentially stressful situations; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; recognize public health issues which impact physical and mental health, and assist in securing adjustments or solutions; provide high quality paramedic care; instruct in the prevention of diseases, promotion of health and care of an ill or injured person; operate computer software and other office equipment. 

Working knowledge of

Duties are performed outdoors in a variety of conditions, including excessive temperatures, inclement weather and exposure to various hazardous chemicals.  Incumbents work with varied socioeconomic groups, the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, alcohol and substance abusing clients and their families. 

Skill to

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, coworkers, and the public
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing in potentially stressful situations
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
• Recognize public health issues and assist in securing solutions
• Provide high-quality paramedic care
• Instruct in disease prevention, health promotion, and care of the ill or injured
• Operate computer software and office equipment

Working Conditions

Duties are performed outdoors in a variety of conditions, including excessive temperatures, inclement weather, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Incumbents work with varied socioeconomic groups, including individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders, as well as their families.

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the minimum experience, education, licensure, and/or certifications required for employment in the classification.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of related experience as a practicing Paramedic.

Licenses/Certifications:

The following licensure/certifications are required at the time of hire.

• Oregon Paramedic License (required at time of hire)

Pre-Employment Requirement

Must successfully pass an extensive background investigation including national fingerprint records check.

Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work.  Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.

Edited: 5/24

Classification No.: 746
Established: 4/24
FLSA: Exempt
EEO: 2