Walton County Sheriff's Office - Jail Paramedic

Position Summary

The Paramedic assigned to the Walton County Jail is responsible for delivering high-quality patient care within a secure correctional environment. This position provides clinical assessments, emergency medical interventions, routine medical treatments, and patient education in accordance with established protocols and provider orders. Working under the direction of the Health Services Administrator, Medical Services Coordinator, and licensed medical providers, the Paramedic supports daily medical operations, contributes to continuity of care, and promotes a safe, healthy correctional community. Duties require sound clinical judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to function effectively within a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic and high-security setting

Qualifications 

• Education – High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Experience – One (1) to two (2) years of experience in advance emergency medical service work, plus any required certification or training; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

*Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.

• Minimum eighteen (18) years of age at time of appointment
• Must be able to work effectively and professionally in a secure correctional environment
• Certifications:
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Professionals
  • Florida Paramedic license
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Valid Driver License

Essential Job Functions

This list of functions, duties, responsibilities, skills, and physical abilities is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Adheres to all applicable Federal, State, Jail Health Care, and Walton County Sheriff’s Office policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Conducts medical screening, evaluation, and treatment of inmates across multiple care settings including sick call, chronic care clinics, mental health encounters, confinement units, infirmary care, and emergency response situations.
• Provides treatment and administers medications pursuant to the orders of physicians, mid-level providers, and supervising Registered Nurses.
• Performs paramedic-level clinical procedures, including vital signs, wound care, splinting, EKG acquisition, airway management, venipuncture, and IV initiation/maintenance (as licensed and certified).
• Responds to and manages medical emergencies, providing paramedic-level interventions within scope of practice.
• Accurately documents all assessments, interventions, and patient encounters in the electronic health record in accordance with legal and organizational standards.
• Maintains required logs, medication records, and clinical documentation related to paramedic functions.
• Ensures accountability and security of all controlled substances, needles, and medical supplies in compliance with federal/state laws and facility policies.
• Assists with inventory, requisitioning, and tracking of medical supplies and equipment.
• Provides guidance and task-level supervision to non-licensed healthcare staff as authorized.
• Assists in the coordination of care with medical, mental health, dental, and ancillary providers to ensure comprehensive and continuous treatment.
• Participates in patient education efforts, including chronic disease management, hygiene, and preventive health topics.
• Supports the orientation and training of new medical staff members.
• Participates in required in-service trainings, continuing education, competency validations, and certification renewals.
• Maintains safety and security awareness at all times, adhering to all jail security procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in performing paramedic-level clinical procedures and emergency medical interventions.
• Ability to conduct patient assessments, recognize clinical deterioration, and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Strong written communication skills for documentation, reporting, and coordination with healthcare staff.
• Effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills to work professionally with coworkers, supervisors, and diverse inmate populations.
• Ability to follow established medical protocols and receive direction from supervising clinicians.
• Competency with electronic health records and basic computer applications.
• Ability to collect, prepare, and process laboratory samples according to established protocols.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in fast-paced or high-stress environments.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community and maintain professionalism in challenging situations.
• Flexibility in scheduling, including nights, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.

Key Competencies

• Clinical Judgment: Demonstrates sound medical decision-making and the ability to recognize emergent conditions.
• Communication: Clearly conveys information to inmates, healthcare providers, and correctional staff both verbally and in writing.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively within a multidisciplinary environment to support continuity of care.
• Ethics & Professionalism: Maintains inmate confidentiality and upholds professional standards of conduct.
• Security Awareness: Maintains vigilance, adheres to safety protocols, and understands the unique risks of the correctional environment.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing patient volumes, unexpected emergencies, and evolving facility needs.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates respect for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform physical activities including stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, speaking, seeing, and performing repetitive motions.
• Ability to exercise fine motor skills and hand dexterity required for patient care procedures.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, and 20 pounds constantly.
• Must be able to respond rapidly to medical emergencies throughout the facility, including stairways and confined areas.
• Work involves exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation, blood and bodily fluids, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, low lighting, restricted workspaces, high noise levels, and potentially combative individuals.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.