The Community health paramedic is a new and evolving model of community-based health care in which paramedics function outside their customary emergency response and transport roles. The Parker County Hospital District Community Health Paramedic Program provides non-emergency care to the citizens of Parker County. These paramedics receive specialized advanced training. The goal of the program is to connect all parker County citizens to primary health services, thereby decreasing their reliance on 911 for primary Care. In addition, the team provides specialized assistance for medically complicated patients in their homes in order to reduce preventable ambulance transports.
Community Health Paramedic Roles and Responsibilities
- Making home visits to assess health status, home safety, medication assistance and unmet healthcare needs
- Reduce hospitalizations and readmissions through coordination of care
- Encouraging self-care through knowledge and skills to positively deal with health challenges and medical conditions
- Assistance obtaining primary and specialty care services for chronic medical conditions
- Food and utility assistance referrals
- Assistance in obtaining transportation to and from physician appointments
Patients are selected for the program based upon EMS crew referrals and 9-1-1 call volume data.
The Community Health paramedic does not take referrals from the public.