Board approves fire department job description for mobile integrated health coordinator

Lisa Best, director of human resources, told the Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 22 that the city will introduce a job description to the City Council for a new mobile integrated health coordinator in the fire department.

The board approved the request by voice vote. The position would be staffed at the EMT level; candidates who are not yet certified as EMT-B must obtain that certification within 18 months, Best said. The coordinator will perform patient assessments, follow-up care and screenings for depression and substance abuse, and will work with providers to coordinate care and help residents enroll in or recertify Medicaid or Medicare coverage.

Best said the position is intended to reduce responses by engine crews to nonemergency calls by providing a dedicated resource able to handle low-acuity calls and outreach. "This position would be is an EMT level, person that would have to do since they required training and certifications to be able to fully, be qualified for the position," Best said during the meeting.

Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions at the meeting and moved quickly to approval. The board recorded the motion and second and approved the request by voice vote.

The new role will be introduced to the City Council for final approval, Best said.

Funding source and the position's start date were not specified at the board meeting.