EMS Provider Functional Requirements and Physical Expectations

As an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider, you must possess significant physical strength and dexterity, and the ability to function in very adverse environments while exposed to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes.

Standing, Running, Walking: You are continuously standing or walking when responding to calls, including going to and from the emergency vehicle, getting patients from their locations, and rendering treatment. You must be able to run short distances between the emergency vehicle and patients in emergencies when time is of the essence. Your standing, walking, and running may occur on various surfaces, including but not limited to asphalt, cement, concrete, soft/packed dirt, linoleum, wood, and hardwood floors. You must be able to go up and down stairs, as well as slight inclines and declines found at roadsides, agricultural areas, etc. Standing for long periods may be required on location. You must be able to maintain balance and strength in awkward positions.
Climbing: You are required to climb up and down steps with a patient on a cot or other device in addition to climbing steps when entering or exiting the emergency vehicle.
Lifting and Carrying: You will frequently lift and carry lighter weights ranging from a few pounds to ten pounds or more, and you are occasionally required to lift and carry weights in excess of 100 pounds or more. With the assistance of one team member, you will need to lift and carry adult patients from various positions (such as a bed or a chair) onto various patient movement devices, such as an ambulance stretcher, a stair chair, long back boards, etc., and then safely and efficiently move them into an ambulance.
Bending and Stooping: Throughout a work shift, you are required to bend in a range of 1 to 90 degrees to lift a patient, lift equipment, treat a patient at ground level, or sit on a bench located in the ambulance. This activity may be prolonged and last up to 30 minutes or more.
Crouching and Kneeling: You may need to perform crouching and kneeling when on the scene, picking up equipment, or assisting patients.
Pushing and Pulling: The activities that would require the most force in pushing and pulling occur when you are removing or returning a gurney to the emergency vehicle, with and without a patient on the gurney. The required pushing/pulling force will vary depending on the gurney's load. You will perform slight pushing if you are performing CPR, which can require repetitive pushing.
Handling or Grasping: While working at any given location, you will perform continual bilateral gross manipulation in activities such as opening/closing doors, using, handling, carrying, and operating medical equipment boxes that may weigh approximately fifty pounds or more, stretcher rails, various handles attached to equipment, and tools. Your arm and hand must be able to perform in all types of positions, including supination and pronation. Hyperextension, extension, and flexion of the fingers will be involved, and ulnar and radial deviation, abduction, and adduction of the hand and wrist will be required. You will be required to perform a wide variety of grasping, such as cylindrical grasping, palmar grasping, hook grasping, tip grasping, lateral grasping, and spherical grasping.
Reaching: Frequently and continuously throughout the work shift, you must be able to reach to review monitoring equipment, operate communication equipment, administer oxygen, and operate equipment. Reaching will involve partial to full extension of your arms.
Speaking: You must be able to speak clearly under stressful circumstances and communicate with patients, team members, and other emergency responders.
Exposure to Hazards: When responding to emergency situations, you may be exposed to dust, fumes, gases, fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, and chemicals. There is also exposure to body substances that may contain infectious materials that could cause illness or death. There is potential for bodily harm or death from violent patients, bystanders, or other dangers. At all times, you are expected to adhere to all applicable Policies and Procedures concerning safety and the prevention of contamination and infection due to blood-borne pathogens.