Going Above and Beyond in an Emergency

At most places, paramedics are health care professionals who act as first responders. At Saint Joseph Hospital, critical care paramedics have an expanded role within the emergency department of the hospital.

“By valuing our paramedics’ abilities within our emergency rooms, we recognize that they are a multi-utility resource with a wide variety of expertise and knowledge,” said Austin Roush, market director of paramedicine and EMS liaison at CHI Saint Joseph Health. “This approach has led to a strong team of clinicians and cultivated a community approach to the patients we serve.”

Forging New Bonds

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the team at Saint Joseph Hospital knew changes needed to be made.

“To figure out how to navigate through this challenging time, we began reimagining the health care workforce, while ensuring that we didn’t compromise the high level of care being provided,” Roush said. “This led us to explore ways to elevate our paramedics by providing an educational path to become critical care paramedics endorsed by the state.”

Paramedics with this certification can provide an array of critical care services within the hospital’s emergency department.

“This has brought a multidisciplinary approach that we can’t imagine our emergency departments without,” Roush said. “We will continue to make a difference in the lives we serve.”

If you need immediate medical attention, rest assured your safety is our priority. Learn more about emergency care at CHI Saint Joseph Health.