Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Essential Job Functions

The broad categories of essential job functions of EMS personnel include the following. For examples of physical tasks, see Appendix A and job task analyses specific to agencies and employers. The list of essential job functions for an agency and a specific position must be established by the employer. 

Work Schedule 

• Work erratic, unusual, prolonged, and/or unexpected shifts or assignments. 
• Remain on assignment for prolonged periods without the benefit of scheduled rest periods, meals, or access to medication or hydration. 
• Work according to the required schedule of the organization and be able to deviate as needed from the usual schedule. 

Physical Work Environment 

• Work in varied local environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wet, severe storms, etc.) utilizing the jurisdiction’s assigned uniform and equipment (including personal protective equipment). 
• Work in varied settings (e.g., challenging terrain, tight or confined spaces, remote settings, unprotected heights) and workspaces (e.g., ambulance). 
• Work in the presence of communicable diseases. 

Mental and Cognitive Performance 

• Effectively communicate with patients, family members, other responders, dispatchers, and hospital emergency departments, verbally (by radio and face to face) and in writing. 
• Evaluate rapidly changing situations with multiple sources of input. 
• Maintain alertness and cognitive ability throughout the shift. 
• Comprehend written and oral instructions. 

Physical Performance 

• Safely operate a motor vehicle under emergency conditions. 
• Identify situational risks 
  • Active shooter or assault risk 
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) events 
  • Vehicular traffic 
• Ability to use PPE 
  • Barrier (gloves, masks, face shield, gowns) 
  • Use of respirators 
    • N95 
    • Half/full-face air purifying if required by a specific job description. 
• Reach the patient on the scene with equipment 
  • Walk, and run while carrying all required equipment 
  • Climb/descend stairs/sloping terrain, possibly in adverse conditions 
  • Push and pull a stretcher 
• Assess patients  
  • Perform history 
  • Perform physical examination 
  • Apply and assess monitoring equipment 
• Perform search and rescue and extract individuals from a hazardous environment. 
• Perform patient care procedures, depending on the level of certification:  
  • endotracheal intubation,  
  • IV-line insertion,  
  • IO line insertion,  
  • Bag-valve mask ventilation 
  • Administration of medications 
  • CPR, defibrillation/cardioversion 
• Lift, transfer, and carry patients and heavy objects (gear, stair chairs, stretchers, etc.)  
  • The employer may change this depending on Essential Job Functions. 
• Vision (e.g., patient assessment, medications, cardiac monitor, ECG, house numbers, driving an emergency vehicle (i.e., ambulance). 
  • Color vision: patient assessment, color of medication packages, driving (traffic signals) 
• Hearing (e.g., conversation, radio communications, auscultation, alarms, requests for assistance, and search and rescue). 
• Smell (e.g., hazardous materials, breath). 
• Touch (e.g., patient assessment). 
• Read protocol and medication labels, write (handwritten or electronic documentation), and speak clearly.