Physical Ability Testing

The following information is designed to describe the physical tasks you will be required to perform for the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department.

• Applicants will need to wear comfortable clothing and running shoes.
• Weight-lifting gloves are optional.

The course will include:

1. 1.5 Mile Walk
   This walk/run is designed as a warm up for the PAT. This is not a timed event but is required of all applicants to ensure proper warm-up.

2. Pre-Employment Physical Ability Assessment
   The physical ability course is designed to simulate the many physical tasks required of an Austin-Travis County EMS Paramedic. The course consists of a sequence of events requiring the candidate to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. Successful applicants will complete the course in 19 minutes or less.
   
   Specific Tasks:
   1. Equipment Carry (Video) – The applicant will carry a 50 lb object 50 ft, set the object down, then pick it up and carry the object back to the starting point.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate carrying essential medical equipment to the patient’s side.  This event will assess the applicant’s ability to lift using proper body mechanics, as well as challenge the applicant’s upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  This event affects the aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups:   biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings.
      
      Failures: dropping equipment, inability to complete task, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.
      
      
   2. Stair Climb (video) – The applicant will then pick up the combo bag (25 lbs) and cardiac monitor (15 lbs) and carry them 35 ft to the tower.  Applicant will climb to the 3rd floor with equipment, set the equipment down at the top of the stairs and perform 3 minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  The applicant will then carry a stair chair with secured equipment weighing 170 lbs down the stairs with assistance.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate applicant’s ability of climbing stairs while carrying approximately 45 - 50 lbs of essential medical equipment, perform CPR, and safely maneuver a simulated patient down a flight of stairs and to the ambulance for transport to the hospital.  This event challenges the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  It also affects the aerobic/anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups:  chest, upper back, biceps, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves and lower back stabilizers.
      
      Failures: dropping equipment, inability to complete task, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.
      
      
   3. Lifting and Moving a Scoop Stretcher and Ambulance Stretcher (video) – With assistance, the applicant will lift a 140 lb scoop stretcher, carry it 50 feet and place it on the ambulance stretcher while stretcher is in low position. The applicant will then load and secure the stretcher into the ambulance. Assistant will verify the stretcher has been secured in unit.  Following this the applicant will enter the unit and lift the scoop stretcher off the ambulance stretcher and place it on the bench seat of the unit with the aid of the assistant.  The applicant and assistant will lift the scoop stretcher off the bench seat, place it back on the ambulance stretcher and step out of the unit.  In conclusion, applicant will unload the ambulance stretcher from the unit.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purposes of this event is to evaluate the applicant’s ability to safely lift and maneuver a patient onto a stretcher and load the patient in the ambulance for transport to the hospital.  This event will assess the applicant’s ability to maintain proper lifting techniques and challenge his/her aerobic/anaerobic and muscular endurance since it closely follows the stair climb event.  The event also affects the following muscle groups:  biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.
      
      Failures: dropping equipment, inability to complete task, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.
      
      
   4. Intubation of a mannequin and oxygen regulator connection (video) – The applicant will retrieve a combo kit and backboard from the ambulance, walk 100 ft to the assessment station and attach the oxygen regulator to the oxygen bottle in a squatting position. The applicant will then intubate a mannequin that will be placed supine on the ground. Applicant will be required to perform intubation at ground level.  The applicant must perform above skills according to the Texas Department of Health standards of care.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate carrying equipment a distance to a patient that is not readily accessible and to then perform tasks that require use of fine/gross motor skills.  The event will assess the applicant’s ability to use proper body mechanics while in a difficult physical position as well as challenge the applicant’s cardiovascular and muscular endurance, grip endurance and balance.
      
      Failures: dropping equipment, inability to maintain difficult positioning during skills, inability to complete task, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.
      
      
   5. Stretcher obstacle course (video) – The applicant will lift a 160 lbs stretcher with assistance and carry it up 3 steps and down 3 steps.  The applicant and his/her assistant will then lift the stretcher into its highest position and maneuver the stretcher 200 feet over uneven ground.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate moving a patient on a stretcher over difficult terrain.  At a number of locations during the 200 feet, the applicant will need to navigate the stretcher around and/or over obstacles.  The applicant will need to manage and instruct his/her assistant during the course.  This event continues to challenge the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance.  The muscles challenged are as follows:  biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand grip, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.
      
      Failures: dropping stretcher during lift and carry, allowing stretcher to tilt over during obstacle course, inability to complete course, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.
      
      
   6. Obstacle Course & mannequin drag (video) – The applicant will pick up a bag containing bunker gear (30 Lbs) and carry it 200 feet.  The applicant will don provided bunker gear, pick up trauma bag (10 lbs) and walk 50 feet to a vehicle.  The applicant will crawl through the side window with the trauma bag into the vehicle; crawl across the seat and out the passenger side window, pulling the trauma bag out with him/her.  Still wearing bunker gear, the applicant will drag a 155 lb mannequin from the seat of the vehicle a total of 50 feet.  The applicant will pick up the trauma bag again, then climb a 4-foot fence, crawl through a 5’ x 15” opening and crawl through a 25-foot drainage pipe and a 105 ft walk to finish line.
      
      Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate the ability to gain access to a patient requiring emergency medical care during extrication from a vehicle or other confined space and maneuver through a series of obstacles with full protective gear and medical equipment.  The mannequin drag simulates the ability to remove a victim or injured partner from a dangerous scene.  This event challenges the applicant’s agility and position tolerance, aerobic/anaerobic energy systems, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance as well as the following muscle groups: muscles of the chest, shoulders, back, biceps, triceps, abdominals, lower back stabilizers, trapezius, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, torso rotators, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings.
      
      Failures: dropping equipment/manikin, inability to complete course, 3 or more warnings for safety concerns.