Sunstar Paramedics wins national award for recruitment campaign. American Ambulance Association honors Sunstar Paramedics’ onboarding processes.
LARGO, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2017) – Sunstar Paramedics, the 911 ambulance provider for Pinellas County, received the 2017 AMBY Award in the public relations category for its “New Hire Process Improvement” campaign. Its campaign is aimed at addressing the nationwide paramedic shortage and increased demands for transports in Pinellas County.
Sunstar Paramedics streamlined its recruiting processes, and improved its training for new paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The improved processes allowed paramedics and EMTs to more quickly learn the medical protocols for Pinellas County while continuing Sunstar Paramedics’ standards for high quality care.
“The restructuring of the recruitment, onboarding and training processes not only helped Sunstar Paramedics operate more efficiently, but it also improved the patient care provided by new employees,” said John Peterson, chief administrative officer of Sunstar Paramedics.
Through these improvements, Sunstar Paramedics is now able to more efficiently evaluate candidates through a new online assessment. The assessment helps the hiring managers to determine which candidates may be best suited to consistently provide quality care, even when responding to a high number of emergencies.
Sunstar Paramedics also made improvements to the process to train new paramedics and EMTs once they’re hired. The testing requirements are better communicated, and the new employees now feel more comfortable and confident that they’re being trained in key areas.
“The revamped initiatives have created a positive cultural shift within the organization,” said Jeremy Tinter, director of clinical services for Sunstar Paramedics. “The changes in how we communicate have helped each employee understand their individual and crew responsibilities, which benefits patients.”
Sunstar Paramedics is helping other emergency medical providers implement similar improvements. Its chief operating officer contributed a guest column on the changes in the August 2017 edition of the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS), which aims to improve patient care and promote positive change in EMS with information and education from industry leaders nationwide. Seven different fire agencies within Pinellas County are now working with Sunstar Paramedics to have their employees go through the training process.
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) presents the AMBY Awards to recognize excellence, outstanding service and dedication in the ambulance profession. Sunstar Paramedics