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Great River Health

Regional health system operating hospitals, clinics

Paramedic

Full-Time
$25.14/hr
Mid, Senior
Mt Pleasant, IA, USA
In PersonTwo 24-hour shifts per week; on-call required.
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryNursing & Frontline Patient Care

About the job

Requirements
  • One to three years of experience in emergency medical services at any level is required.
  • Knowledge of information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures is required.
  • Knowledge of customer and personal service principles and processes, including customer needs assessment, service quality standards, and customer satisfaction evaluation, is required.
  • Knowledge of the English language, including word meanings and spelling, composition rules, and grammar, is required.
  • Knowledge of curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction, and measurement of training effects is required.
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies for effective local, state, or national security operations is required.
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for transporting individuals, including relative costs and benefits, is required.
  • Ability to transport patients on ventilators and BiPAP is required.
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support and First Aid certification from the American Heart Association is required upon hire.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is required within 30 days, with certification required before caring for an advanced life-support patient without a preceptor.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is required within one year.
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification from the American Academy of Pediatrics is required within one and a half years.
  • Paramedic certification from the Iowa Department of Public Health is required upon hire.
  • A driver's license is required upon hire.
  • Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions is required.
  • Ability to recognize when something is wrong or likely to go wrong is required.
  • Ability to apply general rules to specific problems is required.
  • Ability to coordinate precise finger and limb movements is required.
  • Ability to communicate information effectively, listen attentively, understand spoken information, and speak clearly is required.
Responsibilities
  • Administer drugs by all available medication-administration routes under a physician's direction and according to procedures and protocols.
  • Administer first-aid treatment and life-support care to sick or injured persons in a pre-hospital setting.
  • Assess the nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
  • Attend training classes to maintain certification and licensure and keep current with developments in the field.
  • Comfort and reassure patients.
  • Communicate with dispatchers and treatment-center personnel about the situation, arrange reception of victims, and receive further-treatment instructions.
  • Coordinate with treatment-center personnel to obtain vital statistics and medical history, determine emergency circumstances, and administer emergency treatment.
  • Coordinate work with emergency medical team members and police and fire department personnel.
  • Decontaminate the ambulance interior after treating a patient with an infectious disease and report the case to proper authorities.
  • Drive a mobile intensive care unit to the specified location according to emergency medical dispatcher instructions.
  • Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenish first-aid equipment and supplies.
  • Observe, record, and report the patient's condition or injury, treatment provided, and reactions to drugs and treatment to a physician.
  • Operate electrocardiograms, external defibrillators, and bag-valve-mask resuscitators in advanced life-support environments.
  • Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, including stomach suction, airway management, and heart monitoring, during ambulance transport.
  • Immobilize patients for stretcher placement and ambulance transport using a backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
  • Train and mentor new employees and students at all EMS levels.
Desired Qualifications
  • National Paramedic certification is preferred.
  • Additional compensation may be provided for additional state-required duties and responsibilities, including vehicle maintenance management, departmental vehicle record keeping, staff training, and continuous quality improvement activities.

About the company

Great River Health operates a regional health care system serving southeast Iowa, parts of Illinois and Missouri, with hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical equipment, and rehabilitation services. It delivers coordinated care through hospitals and clinics, offering primary, specialty, urgent, and convenient care, plus therapy and home health within the same system. It combines hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and supplies across a large geographic area to enable smooth patient transitions and a consistent care experience under one umbrella. Its goal is to provide high-quality, accessible health care close to home.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

West Burlington, Iowa

Founded

1895

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Alexander’s permanent CEO appointment on September 14, 2026, reduces interim leadership uncertainty.
  • The new West Burlington mental health therapy clinic opened June 8, 2026, expanding access and referrals.
  • The October 8, 2026 career-exploration event supports recruiting for nursing, radiology, and respiratory therapy.

What critics are saying

  • Great River Health ends Fort Madison inpatient labor and delivery by December 31, 2026, shrinking community trust.
  • McCoy resigned July 23, 2026, and leadership continuity now depends on Alexander’s dual CEO-CFO load.
  • Epic’s $35 million rollout temporarily pressures cash, execution, and charge-capture timelines through 2027.

What makes Great River Health unique

  • Great River Health runs southeast Iowa’s integrated hospital-clinic network across Burlington, Fort Madison, and Mount Pleasant.
  • Jeremy Alexander led Epic transition planning, signaling operational discipline and tighter revenue-cycle control.
  • The June 2026 MyChart launch improves patient retention, scheduling, and cross-system record access.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Time Off
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Bonus Program
  • Discounted cafeteria meals
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

10%

1 year growth

10%

2 year growth

10%
KILJ
Sep 14th, 2026
Jeremy Alexander named permanent President and CEO Great River Health.

Jeremy Alexander named permanent President and CEO Great River Health. By Allison Jacobs · Monday, September 14th, 2026 at 1:27 pm CDT Great River Health has named Jeremy Alexander as its new permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Alexander has served as interim CEO since July 23, when Dr. Michael McCoy resigned from the position for personal reasons. Alexander has also continued serving as the health system's Chief Financial Officer during that time. Alexander has been a member of the Great River Health executive team since 2018 and has played a role in several major changes across the health system. Those include the merger with Fort Madison Community Hospital, the unification of the hospitals under Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, and the long-term lease agreement that brought Henry County Health Center into the Great River Health system. Alexander has also served as executive sponsor of the health system's Epic implementation project. Great River Health Board Chairperson John McKillip said the board conducted a comprehensive review of internal candidates before selecting Alexander. McKillip said the board is looking to Alexander to build on the health system's past successes while identifying opportunities for growth and long-term financial stability. Alexander was born and raised in southeast Iowa and said being selected as CEO is a privilege that comes with a responsibility to protect not only the health of area residents, but the communities Great River Health serves. Alexander takes over the President and CEO position effective immediately.

Great River Health
Aug 31st, 2026
Great River Health holds Career Exploration Event.

Great River Health holds Career Exploration Event. Monday, August 31, 2026 Great River Health will host its 3rd Annual Career Exploration Event on Thursday, October 8, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event held in the Mercy Plaza Lobby at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. The event is designed to introduce students and community members to the wide variety of career opportunities available in healthcare. "The Career Exploration Event is a unique opportunity for students, job seekers, and community members to explore the many rewarding career paths available in healthcare. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with professionals from a variety of departments, including Radiology, Nursing, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, and many others. Participants can also learn about educational pathways through our event partner, Southeastern Community College, and gain firsthand insight into what it's like to work in a healthcare environment," explained Nicole Panther-Rump, Great River Health Manager - Talent Management. "Whether someone is interested in direct patient care or non-clinical career opportunities, this event provides valuable exposure to the diverse roles that contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. We are excited to inspire future healthcare professionals, showcase the scope of opportunities within healthcare, and connect individuals with meaningful and fulfilling career possibilities." Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Great River Health departments, ask questions, explore career paths, and connect with educational resources. Representatives from Southeastern Community College and IowaWORKS will also be present with information tables located near the Human Resources booth.

Great River Health
Aug 31st, 2026
Great River Health offers new four-week nutrition education series.

Great River Health offers new four-week nutrition education series. Monday, August 31, 2026 Great River Health is launching Nutrition 101: A Dietitian's 4-Week Essentials Course, a new program designed to help participants build healthy eating habits, better understand nutrition, and gain confidence in making everyday food choices. The four-week series will be held Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. September 29 through October 20 in the Falcon Room at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. Classes will be led by a registered dietitian and combine practical nutrition education with real-world strategies for healthy living. A registered dietitian will teach participants how to create balanced meals, understand calories and protein needs, read nutrition labels, navigate dining out, manage common nutrition challenges, and develop sustainable habits that support long-term wellness. The course concludes with a hands-on cooking experience featuring meal preparation techniques and healthy recipe ideas. This course provides realistic, evidence-based guidance that participants can apply immediately, regardless of where they are in their health journey. Topics include: * Nutrition foundations and simple meal planning. * Understanding your nutrition needs. * Real-life nutrition challenges. * Practical cooking and meal assembly. The program is open to community members. Cost is $150 for non-members and $100 for Fitness Center members. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.

KILJ
Jun 9th, 2026
New Mental Health Therapy Clinic opens in West Burlington.

New Mental Health Therapy Clinic opens in West Burlington. By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 at 9:11 am CDT Residents seeking mental health services in southeast Iowa now have a new dedicated location for therapy and counseling care. Great River Health has announced the opening of the Great River Mental Health Therapy Clinic at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. The clinic officially opened Monday, June 8, and serves as the new home for mental health therapists who previously saw patients through the Mental Health Clinic at the West Burlington campus. The clinic is staffed by a team of licensed mental health professionals. Providers offer a variety of services aimed at helping patients better understand and manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviors, while also assisting with the assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. Hospital representatives say the creation of the new clinic provides a dedicated space specifically designed for therapy services and patient care. The clinic is located in Suite 309 of Eastman Plaza on the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center campus in West Burlington. Great River Health noted that the new facility is not considered a hospital-based outpatient clinic. Patients can schedule appointments or obtain additional information by calling 319-768-1370.

KILJ
Jun 8th, 2026
Great River Health launches new MyChart patient portal.

Great River Health launches new MyChart patient portal. By Allison Jacobs · Monday, June 8th, 2026 at 6:21 am CDT Great River Health has launched a new online patient portal designed to give patients easier access to their healthcare information and services. The health system announced Saturday that patients can now enroll in MyChart, a secure online platform that provides 24-hour access to medical records, test results, appointment scheduling, prescription refill requests, and direct communication with healthcare providers. Dr. Michael McCoy, President and CEO of Great River Health, says the portal is an important step in helping patients become more informed and engaged in their care. He says greater access to health information supports the organization's goal of delivering high-quality, patient-centered healthcare. MyChart also allows patients to pay bills online, review account statements, manage care for family members through proxy access, and connect records from other healthcare systems in one centralized location. According to Great River Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Ryon, improved communication between patients and providers can lead to better understanding, stronger relationships, and improved health outcomes. The MyChart platform is available through both a website and mobile app, allowing patients to access their healthcare information from virtually anywhere. Patients can sign up online or receive assistance enrolling during their next visit. Additional information, tutorials, and enrollment resources are available through Great River Health's MyChart webpage. Great River Health serves communities throughout southeast Iowa and emphasizes a patient-centered approach to healthcare through its network of providers and services.