Paramedic III (Air & Ground) - Duke Life Flight - Smithfield

Company: Duke Health
Location: Durham
Posted on: June 15, 2026

Job Description:

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke Life Flight

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Life Flight, which is Duke Health's critical care and emergency air and ground transport team, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. The team includes paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, and communications specialists who work quickly to provide compassionate care and transport services to critically ill patients of all ages. Duke Life Flight also maintains a Code Blue Response Team and helps support event medicine needs.

Paramedics may be eligible for a $7500 Commitment Bonus (terms and conditions apply)

Position is eligible for a relocation assistance (terms and conditions apply)

Paramedic III (Ground and Flight) - Duke University Health System - Duke Life Flight

Duke University Health System's Life Flight team supports over 20 critical care procedures independently. The patient population is 22-23 week gestation neonates to geriatric (all ages). In this department you work with interdisciplinary teams including, Basic Life Support EMT's, single provider ALS Paramedic, Clinical Nurses, Respiratory Therapist (Neo/Peds team) and Critical Care Paramedics.

Work Hours & Shifts:
Full Time: Rotating shifts days/nights (mostly 12 hour nights 7pm-7am)
Location: Smithfield

Job Summary:

The Paramedic III functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team providing direct patient care. The Paramedic III performs a variety of activities across various practices settings and patient populations in accordance with the Paramedic scope of practice as defined by the North Carolina Medical Board and with the approval of the practice setting Medical Director.

Duties and Responsibilities of Paramedic III (Critical Care Paramedic)

Obtain pertinent history and perform a physical examination based on comprehensive knowledge, advanced skills and sound professional judgement.

Obtain historical data from an environmental survey, attending medical personnel, patient or significant other, and existing documentation.
Complete a systematic, rapid primary assessment and a prioritized secondary survey. Analyze and assess available diagnostic data. Revise plan of care as new information becomes available.
Provide care in a critical care environment utilizing appropriate, timely interventions, per program protocols, in a priority sequence within scope of practice not to exceed standards set by the North Carolina office of EMS (NCOEMS) and local medical direction. Utilize Advanced Skills prioritizing the patients needs based on potential or actual needs. (I.e. intubation, Rapid Sequence Intubation, needle decompression of tension pneumothoraces, percutaneous cricothryoidotomy, placement of intraosseous and central line). Demonstrates proficient use of advanced and basic life support equipment and maintains contact with Medical Control when necessary for protocol deviation. Communicate essential information to all appropriate members of the healthcare team. Evaluate patient progress, analyze data, and modify the planning and implementation of care based on patient response throughout the transfer process. Communicate between referring and receiving healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care. Act as a liaison between patients, families, referring healthcare professionals and DUHS staff. Plan, organize and maintain equipment and supplies for use before, during and after transport. Perform inventory of transport vehicle every shift with restocking after each transport. Plan for special equipment needs for each transport. (I.e. external pacemaker, intravenous infusion pumps, intra-aortic balloon pump, isolette, baby pod). Maintain equipment repair as needed. Provide and maintain a safe environment for fellow crewmembers, the patients, assisting agencies, and ancillary personnel.
Maintain certifications and advanced skills.
Complete vehicle inspection and documentation each shift and complete a road test of assigned ambulance(s). Responsible for minor repairs to the unit to include but not limited to: changing light bulbs, replenishing fluids, tightening nuts and bolts, inspecting tires, etc. Responsible for daily maintenance including fueling and cleaning of vehicle. Responsible for reporting minor and major repair needs to the site specific Fleet Safety Coordinator, Clinical Team Lead, and/or Program Manager.
Responsible for assisting with patient care as requested to include loading and unloading, operation of commonly used equipment and providing family members information/directions to Duke.
Responsible for providing direct patient care on ALS I, ALS II or BLS transports, not to exceed beyond the scope of The Paramedic as defined by the NCOEMS and approved by local medical direction, and documenting in the electronic medical record.
Responsible for replenishing oxygen and medical supplies used during transport.
Demonstrates safe driving skills and ability to use technology to complete mission safely.
Assist with continuing education outreach programs and public relations events as assigned.
Provide staffing coverage to all bases as needed. Assist units within Duke University Hospital when necessary.

ADVANCED SKILLS:

Intubations (nasal, endotracheal), RSI, and needle decompression of tension pneumothoraces, percutaneous cricothyroidotomy, central line placement (EJ), and intraosseous line placement.
Mandatory attendance in Surgical Skills Lab, Skills Blitz and Safety Day. When identified to maintain competencies, participation in patient care in clinical areas to include the Operating Room, ICUs, Labor and Delivery and Emergency Department to maintain advanced skills.
Identify, develop, implement and evaluate clinical and operational protocols, policies and procedures. Participation in Performance Improvement. Mandatory review (75% attendance per year required) of clinical cases, policies, protocols and procedures in Monthly Peer Review with Medical Director. Develop, implement and evaluate educational offerings related to Life Flight for internal and external groups. Develop, implement and evaluate research studies. Collect, compile and evaluate clinical and demographic data. Complete required transport paperwork. Participate in multi-institutional research studies. Formulate research studies as needed.

Education:

• HIgh School Diploma
• North Carolina Paramedic Certification
• Minimum of three years (4 years preferred) current ALS experience as a Paramedic in emergency setting with a moderate to high call volume 911 agency (20,000 to 35,000 calls/year)
• Obtain FP-C within 2 years of hire.
• If previous Critical Care Transport experience, FP-C required upon hire.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• High School Diploma
• Current certification as a North Carolina Paramedic or have the ability to obtain certification in the State of North Carolina.
• NC Emergency Vehicle Driver certification or comparable is preferred (EVOC or other)
• ACLS, PALS, ITLS (or PHTLS) and BLS required upon hire. (NRP within 6 months of hire).
• Current Class C drivers license. Current three (3) year driving history absent of violations.

Knowledge Skills and abilities:

• Operating knowledge of ambulance/ fire truck or vehicle equivalent to the Duke Life Flight ambulances.
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully complete post offer job testing for physical fitness. Vision must be 20/40 corrected
• One current trauma course prior to hire: PHTLS, TPATC, BTLS or ITLS.
• The following to be completed within 1 year of hire - PHTLS certification (until TPATC Certification obtained)
• TPATC Certification within 24 months of hire. TPATC will have a 6 month grace period for renewal from expiration date.
• The following to be completed within 2 years of hire date if Paramedic is new to SCT transport: specialty certification, i.e., FP-C, or CCEMTP.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operating knowledge of ambulance/ fire truck or vehicle equivalent to the Duke Life Flight ambulances. Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully complete post offer job testing for physical fitness. Vision must be 20/40 corrected
• Physically fit to allow for functional movement in an aircraft or ambulance and the ability to wear the Duke approved helmet.
• Max weight 230 pounds- (with equipment and bag).
• Max height 6'4"

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome . click apply for full job details

Keywords: Duke Health, Burlington , Paramedic III (Air & Ground) - Duke Life Flight - Smithfield, Healthcare , Durham, North Carolina

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