City of Tampa

The Quality Assurance Assistant is responsible for work involving quality control assessment and improvement activities for the Emergency Medical Services provided by Tampa Fire Rescue.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing tasks of more than average difficulty associated with the department's efforts to maintain the highest quality in providing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to the City of Tampa. This position would be assigned to the Rescue Division, and under the general supervision of the Medical Support Officer. The employee will assist the Medical Support Officer in evaluating the processes and services provided and identifying where the opportunity exists for quality improvement.

Personnel will be assigned by the Fire Chief and rotate every 2 years depending on performance or operational need.

Performs Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance reviews of EMS documentation and care delivered as set forth by the Florida Department of Health, the Medical Director(s), F.A.C. 64J-1.014 and in accordance with industry standards.

Assists in establishing and implements programs and activities to influence patient outcomes positively by delivering timely, consistent, appropriate, compassionate, and cost-effective EMS services.

Evaluates EMS data, identifying trends and methods of providing effective emergency medical care. Completes quality review of other incident reports in Electronic Patient Care System and data analysis.

Assists with ongoing Quality Management improvements.

Assists Medical Support Officer with informal investigations.

Attend scheduled Quality Improvement meetings assigned by Rescue Division Chief.

Required to work, participate, and assist with Special Events and fulfill the role of Supervisor when needed at Special Events.

Assist with scheduling Special Events.

Assist with EEMSO daily operations.

Assist with equipment/supplies delivery as needed.

Assist in developing medical protocols.

Assist with coordinating the Paramedic Evaluation Process and Remediation Programs designated by Rescue Division Chief.

Assist the Medical Support Officer and Rescue Division Chief with overseeing the Paramedic Field Training Officer (PFTO).

Assist the Medical Support Officer and Rescue Division Chief with policies and procedures for the Critical Care Transport (CCT) Program.

Assist with answering Field clinicians concerns and provide guidance in line with the Rescue Division’s mission and vision.

Periodic field rides on a Rescue Transport Units may be recommended to help identify the industry standards for improvement of the EMS system.

Assist with reviewing the following reports periodically for quality improvement and adhere to national and state standards: All Cardiac/Trauma Arrest reports, All “Alerts” (Trauma, STEMI, Stroke, etc.), All advanced airways, Minimum of 200 PCRs per month, and Specific reports identified by the Medical Directors.

Review Patient Care Reports (PCR) for completeness, accuracy & compliance with medical protocols; contact personnel regarding documentation non-compliance, quality of care issues, and protocol non-compliance.

Uses information gathered from the data collected to identify trends and areas of weakness in individuals and job wide. This collection of data is used to deliver appropriate training.

Assist with complaints relating to customer service and medical concerns from citizens, medical facilities, and other EMS agencies.

Assists with coordination of EMS treatment procedures for responders as they apply to Tampa Fire Rescue's Operations Division i.e., Hazardous Materials, Confined Space, Tactical Medic Response Team, Live Fire Burns, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

Assist with the Quality Improvement Program and personnel implemented by the Medical Director(s).

Completes special projects assigned by the Medical Support Officer, Rescue Division Chief, or Medical Directors.

Performs related work as required by TFR Rescue Division.

Considerable knowledge of: the principles, practices, skills and techniques of emergency medical care. As well as a good grasp on Tampa Fire Rescue’s Standard Operating Guidelines and Rules and Regulations.

Working knowledge of: TFR ALS medical protocols; TFR BLS medical protocols; TFR ALS/BLS determination protocol.

Ability to: speak and write clearly and concise in a variety of settings and on a variety of subjects related to TFR operations and TFR EMS operations; maintain effective working relationships with other TFR employees, the TFR Medical Director(s), representatives of medical facilities and other related agencies and/or authorities.

Skills of: utilizing computer and MS Office products.

The employee must currently be a Paramedic of Record (POR) who is assigned to the Rescue Division (Paramedic (F4) or Lieutenant (F5)) with Tampa Fire Rescue.

Preferred candidate will have:

• Two (2) years with Tampa Fire Rescue or previous experience from another department
• One (1) year of Acting Lieutenant
• PALS certification
• ACLS instructor certification

Possession of:

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.