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Department

The Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program is an alternative response model operating within the City and County of Denver. STAR pairs a Wellpower mental health clinician with a Denver Health paramedic or EMT. The team is dispatched through Denver 911 Communications and responds to low risk, low acuity crisis calls that arise from public health and mental health needs in the community. The team can provide medical assessment/triage, crisis intervention, de-escalation, transportation, and resource connection for community members in need. The goal of the STAR Program is to send the right resources to community members when they are in crisis.

Job Summary

The Paramedic STAR (Support Team Assisted Response) role operates under general supervision, attends to patients encountered during STAR response. Provides support to the clinical social worker assigned to STAR and transfers clients and or patients when appropriate. Safely operates department vehicles in non-emergency modes. Provides other support functions for the STAR program.

Essential Functions:

• Advanced Life Support
  Initiates BLS and ALS procedures in accordance with current standards/protocols, Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Denver Health Paramedic Protocols. Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Paramedic Division’s Policy. Orders Advanced Life Support resources as patient presentation requires. (25%)
• General Operations
  Provides appropriate patient care during Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) patient encounters. Assists clinical social worker with various client interactions. In the event of a non-emergent 911 field response, performs assessment of scene to determine the need for auxiliary services such as fire and police department. Demonstrates an awareness of a changing environment and is able to identify hazards. Interacts with other personnel and ancillary services with the patient’s best interests in mind. (20%)
• Vehicle Operations.
  Maintains control of the vehicle at all times, allowing for the unpredictable responses of other drivers. Abides by standard traffic laws while driving in the non-emergency mode. Maintains due safety when parking the vehicle at the scene of request for STAR, and the use of emergency lighting while standing at such scenes. (15%)
• Safety
  Follows safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Approaches all scenes and patients in a safe manner consistent with the environment and patient presentation. Uses all means available to diffuse a hostile and/or emotional situation. Demonstrates lifting techniques with a low likelihood for injury to self or peers. Utilizes “as clean as possible” techniques for invasive procedures and disposes of all contaminated materials and sharps in an approved method. Follows up with the appropriate resource in the event of exposure to potentially injurious substances. (10%)
• Equipment and Supplies
  Ensures readiness of STAR van for service, checks mechanical equipment, performs routine preventive maintenance, tests biomedical equipment such as AED for electrical charge and function, checks medical supply stock levels and restocks as necessary. Inspects and reports any deficiencies to the vehicle braking system, vehicle lights and emergency equipment. Assures that all biomedical and communications equipment is functional. Assures that the vehicle is stocked with an adequate supply of medical supplies, and that dated supplies have not expired. (10%)
• Maintains a safe and aesthetically clean working environment. Is in service within 15 minutes of the beginning of the shift unless dispatch or a supervisor is notified. (10%)
• Support Functions
  Provides support functions for the STAR program as needed. Assists with moving vans and other equipment to the appropriate repair facility as needed. Assess, order, and stock supplies. Assists in instruction, training and education at the EMT level for new employee STAR academy. (10%)

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 6 months experience in Emergency Medicine, or related field required.

Licenses:

• EMTP-EMT Paramedic - CO - State of Colorado required.
• DLR-Colorado Driver's License Class R - DMV - Department of Motor Vehicles required.
• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross required.
• ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support - AHA - American Heart Association required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of emergency treatment and safety procedures.
• Working knowledge of the Denver Metropolitan EMT-Basic Protocols and Paramedic Division’s BLS Policy.
• Skill in determining needs in changing environments.
• Able to speak with a clear, articulate voice over the radio.
• Ability to identify hazards.
• Ability to complete appropriate patient and daily activity forms. Ability to appear in court when necessary.
• Ability to use appropriate and low impact means of restraint.
• Ability to safely operate a vehicle, to use radio communications equipment and procedures, and to document patient contacts using written and computer patient care reporting.

*** All hires start at Paramedic 1. Career ladder progression includes job and pay advancement, upon successful completion of established training period, based on appropriate experience. Paramedic 1: $32.18/hr - Sr. Paramedic: $40.23/hr.

***Are you interested in pursuing education to become a Paramedic? Click here to learn about our EMS School: Denver Health Paramedics - Paramedic School, Education ***

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Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.