Paramedic Hiring Process Print

The first step in the application process is to complete an on-line employment application.

A recruiter will review the application to verify the applicant meets the minimum qualifications.   Once it is determined the applicant meets the minimum qualifications, they will be contacted by a member of the Recruiting staff.

 

In addition to completing the online application, the following required documents must be submitted to Recruiting for verification purposes before the posted deadline date:

  • Copy of your current DL
  • Copy of your social security card
  • Copy of your current ACLS certification (American Heart Assoc.) 
  • Copy of your current CPR card (American Heart Assoc.) 
  • Copy of your current State Paramedic and/or NR certification
  • Criminal history report for the last five years.  If you have lived in multiple states within the last 5 years contact the Recruiting office for detailed information.
  • State certified driving record for the last three years.  (If you lived in more than one state over the past three years you will need to provide a driving record from each state)
  • Veterans need to submit a DD-214

Below is an outline of what to expect at an Austin-Travis County EMS Hiring Process:

 

Written Paramedic Exam   <>  Click here to view the Practice Test
A 100-question, multiple choice ALS exam. A score of 75% is required to continue in the hiring process.

General Test Breakdown:
Questions are grouped/selected from topic categories in the National Transportation Safety Administration / Department of Transportation EMT-Paramedic Curriculum, and the NHTSA National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards.  Under the DOT curriculum topics the test breaks down as:

15% Roles and Responsibilities
5% Airway, Oxygenation and Ventilation
20% Patient Assessment
15% Trauma patient care
35% Medical patient care
10% Special needs / Special patients

The exact % varies slightly and will do so from version to version.  

 Physical Ability Course
The PA Course is designed to describe the physical tasks you will be required to perform for the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department.

Oral Scenarios
Candidates will be asked to address both a medical and a trauma scenario. The scenarios will contain moderate scene complications well within the normal scope of paramedic care. This exercise will be graded on a Pass/Fail scale.

Written Psychological Evaluation
Applicants will complete a series of written questionnaires designed to measure a variety of personality and psychological factors related to emergency medical service work. The results of these questionnaires will be reviewed, scored, and used to provide the psychologist with information for the applicant’s personal interview.

Professional Panel Interview
The interview is designed to assess the candidate's experience, mental and emotional fitness to function successfully as a Paramedic. The applicant may be asked behavioral questions designed to demonstrate certain knowledge, skills and abilities considered basic to effective performance as a Paramedic.

Psychological Interview
The staff psychologist will interpret the written psychological questionnaires and use this information as well as other information learned about the applicant during the hiring process as a basis for the interview. The interview is designed to assess the candidate's mental and emotional fitness to function successfully as a Paramedic with the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department.

Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation is conducted to establish evidence of good moral character, a well-adjusted personality and a pattern of conduct acceptable to the Austin-Travis Emergency Medical Services Department.

Candidate Review Board

All information gathered from the assessment process will be presented to the Candidate Review Board for consideration. The Candidate Review Board will make an employment recommendation to the A/TCEMS Director. The Director has the final decision regarding hiring of employees.

Physical Examination

Upon successful completion of the preceding steps in the assessment process and upon receiving a formal offer of employment the applicant will participate in a complete physical examination prior to their first day of employment. The physical exam will assess the applicant's physical condition to ensure he/she can function safely as a Paramedic in the field or the communications center. 

 

 

Physical Ability (PA) Course:

 

Pre-test warm up - There is a 1.5 mile, walk/run that is designed as a warm up for the assessment. This is not a timed event but is required to insure proper warm-up.


The course consists of a sequence of events requiring the applicant to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner.    Successful candidates will complete the course in 19 minutes or less.

 

Equipment Carry – The applicant will carry a 45 lb object 50 feet, set the object down, pick it back up and carry the object back to the starting point.


Purpose of Event

The purpose of this event is to simulate carrying essential medical equipment to the patient’s side.  This event will assess the applicant’s ability to lift using proper body mechanics, as well as challenge the applicant’s upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  This event affects the aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups:  biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings.


Stair Climb - The applicant will then pick up the airway bag (22 lbs) and cardiac monitor (25 lbs) and carry them 35 ft to the tower.  The applicant will climb to the 3rd floor with equipment, set the equipment down at the top of the stairs and perform 2 minutes of Chest Compressions (CPR).  The applicant will then carry a stair chair with secured patient weighing 170 lbs down the stairs with one assistant.

 

Purpose of Event:

The purpose of this event is to simulate applicant’s ability of climbing stairs while carrying approximately 45 - 50 lbs of essential medical equipment, perform CPR to American Heart Association (AHA) standard, and safely maneuver a simulated patient down a flight of stairs and to the ambulance for transport to the hospital.  This event challenges the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  It also affects the aerobic/anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups:  chest, upper back, biceps, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves and lower back stabilizers.


Lifting and moving a scoop stretcher and hydraulic ambulance stretcher – With one assistant, the applicant will lift a 120 lb scoop stretcher, carry it 50 feet and place it on the hydraulic ambulance stretcher while the stretcher is in low position. The applicant will then load and secure the hydraulic stretcher into the ambulance. The assistant will verify the hydraulic stretcher has been secured in unit.  Following this the applicant will enter the ambulance and lift the scoop stretcher off the hydraulic ambulance stretcher and place it on the bench seat of the unit with the aid of one assistant.  The applicant and assistant will lift the scoop stretcher off the bench seat, place it back on the hydraulic ambulance stretcher and step out of the unit.  At the conclusion, the applicant will unload the hydraulic ambulance stretcher from the unit.


Purpose of Event:

The purpose of this event is to evaluate the applicant’s ability to safely lift and maneuver a patient onto a stretcher and load the patient in the ambulance for transport to the hospital.  This event will assess the applicant’s ability to maintain proper lifting techniques and challenge his/her aerobic/anaerobic and muscular endurance since it closely follows the stair climb event.  The event also affects the following muscle groups:  biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.

Fine Motor Skills Assessment - The applicant will retrieve an airway bag (22 lbs) and backboard from the ambulance, walk 180 ft to the assessment station and attach the oxygen regulator to the “D” tank oxygen bottle in a squatting position. The applicant will then intubate a mannequin that will be placed supine on the ground. The applicant will be required to perform intubation at ground level.  The applicant must perform above skills according to the Texas Department of Health standards of care.  The Proctor will give the applicant verbal instruction for the sequence of the O2 regulator connection and adult intubation skills.

 

Hydraulic Stretcher obstacle course – The applicant will lift a hydraulic stretcher, secured with 120lbs of simulated patient weight, with one assistant into its highest position and maneuver the stretcher 220 feet over uneven ground.


Purpose of Event:

The purpose of this event is to simulate moving a patient on a stretcher over difficult terrain.  At a number of locations during the 220 feet, the applicant will need to navigate the stretcher around and/or over obstacles.  The applicant will need to manage and instruct his/her assistant during the course.  This event continues to challenge the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  The muscles challenged are as follows:  biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand grip, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.

 

Obstacle Course & mannequin drag – The applicant will walk 15 ft and pick up a bunker bag (30 Lbs) and carry it 210 ft.   The applicant will then don standard issue bunker gear and pick up the airway bag (22 lbs), walk 50 feet to a vehicle.  The applicant will place the airway bag on the ground next to the vehicle and crawl through a designated vehicle window, and out the opposite window.  The applicant will open the designated car door to gain access to a simulated patient (manikin weighing 155 lbs.)  The applicant will then rapidly remove the manikin from the vehicle and drag it 50 ft.  After laying the manikin down, the applicant will retrieve the airway bag and will then walk 100 ft to a short obstacle course.  The obstacle course involves climbing a 4 ft fence, crawling through a 5’ x 15” opening, followed by a 25 ft drainage pipe and a 105 ft walk to finish line.

 
Purpose of Event:

The purpose of this event is to simulate the ability to gain access to a patient requiring emergency medical care during extrication from a vehicle or other confined space and maneuver through a series of obstacles with full protective gear and medical equipment.  The mannequin drag simulates the ability to remove a victim or injured partner from a dangerous scene.  This event challenges the applicant’s agility and position tolerance, aerobic/anaerobic energy systems, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance as well as the following muscle groups: muscles of the chest, shoulders, back, biceps, triceps, abdominals, lower back stabilizers, trapezius, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, torso rotators, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings.

 

 

 

 

NOTE: The Written Paramedic Exam, the Physical Ability Course,  and the Oral Case Scenarios are conducted on the first day of the process.  Applicants will be notified at the end of each phase whether or not they will  proceed in the hiring process. The Written Psychological Evaluation will be conducted the morning of the second day of the process and applicants will schedule a time for the Panel Interview and Psychological Interview either that afternoon or on one of the following days that week.