Emergency Medical Services Careers
Knowledgeable and Skillful Staff
Our paramedics excel in providing field emergency care in a fast paced metro area. Our communications team supports not only our daily 9-1-1 responses, but is a local, regional, and state EMS resource. Hennepin EMS is comprised of skillful and experienced support staff, like our onsite mechanics who work diligently to ensure our ambulances are safe to operate and ready to respond to emergencies. Our stock staff work around the clock to ensure we have the tools we need to provide lifesaving treatments. Our administrative assistant and scheduler ensure our offices remain organized and properly staffed. We offer multiple opportunities for staff to participate in committees and task forces keeping our medics engaged and active members of the Hennepin EMS team. At Hennepin EMS we care for those who care for you.
Paramedic
Hennepin EMS paramedics have successfully completed education through an accredited institution and hold licensure in the State of Minnesota through the EMS Regulatory Board (EMSRB). Most of our paramedics are also licensed through the National Registry of EMTs. Paramedics are required to hold certificates in BLS and ACLS, although many exceed this through education in PALS, ITLS, and many other specialized courses. Job requirements also include training in Advanced Driving Skills/Emergency Vehicle Operations.
The onboarding process for a new paramedic includes:
- Candidate completes an online application
- Candidate completes an interview
- Candidate completes a background check, psych evaluation, and physical agility test
New-hire paramedics are evaluated through a 6-month probationary period that is made up of classroom/didactic education (3 weeks), third-person ride time (3 weeks), and Field Training Officer evaluations (4 months). All new-hire paramedics to successfully complete their probationary period are celebrated at an Academy Graduation Ceremony, in which a family member, friend, FTO, or other significant person to the graduate removes their silver probationary badge, and pins them with their permanent silver and gold badge.
Dispatcher
Hennepin EMS Emergency Medical Dispatchers have successfully completed education through an accredited institution and hold licensure in the State of Minnesota through the EMS Regulatory Board (EMSRB) at the EMT level, or higher. Our EMDs are also certified through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as Emergency Medical Dispatchers. EMDs may also seek additional education to become Communications Training Officers, EMD Quality Assurance Officers, or part of the Incident Dispatch Team (COML, COMT, RADO), which deploys on large incidents and pre-planned events.
The onboarding process for a new EMD/EMT includes:
- Candidate completes an online application
- Candidate completes an interview
- Candidate completes a background check, psych evaluation, and physical agility test
New-hire EMDs are evaluated through a 6-month probationary period that is made up of classroom/didactic education and Training Officer evaluations. All new-hire EMD/EMTs to successfully complete their probationary period are celebrated at an Academy Graduation Ceremony, in which a family member, friend, CTO, or other significant person to the graduate removes their silver probationary badge, and pins them with their permanent silver and gold badge.
Educator / Instructor
Hennepin EMS Emergency and Critical Care educators and instructors are the front line education staff for the department. Not only do these staff members provide annual team education and re-certification, they provide initial education to EMR, EMT, and paramedic students, as well as continuing education for thousands of providers of all medical training levels.
Educators/instructors have the ability to create their own curriculum, when not defined by external requirements. Education staff also have the unique opportunity of working closely with young adults from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds through the EMS Pathways Academy; a student-intern program formed in collaboration with the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Hennepin EMS EMRs have successfully completed education through an accredited institution and hold licensure in the State of Minnesota through the EMS Regulatory Board (EMSRB) at the EMR level, or higher. Most of our EMRs are also educated in other public safety fields, such as firefighting or law enforcement.
The onboarding process for a new EMR includes:
- Candidate completes an online application
- Candidate completes an interview
- Candidate completes a background check, psych evaluation, and physical agility test
New-hire EMRs are provided on-the-job didactic and hands-on training to perform the functions of our Emergency Medical Response Team as part of the Special Operations Division of Hennepin EMS. This team provides medical coverage at many large professional sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings. This team is the medical provider to patrons of US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
