Summary

The Medical Care Transportation Technician - EMT positions are assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Veterans Transportation Services (VTS) - Ambulance Service - in one of the various VA Medical Center (VAMC) locations - with an emergency room - acute care or urgent care clinic - or other similar departments performing basic life support procedures. These positions are located at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta - Maine.

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS (SCREEN-OUT) - THREE Selective Placement Factors (SPF) have been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPFs are ineligible for further consideration. Must possess a valid/current state issued/certification for eligibility for employment (EMT). (CERTIFICATION REQUIRED to receive credit for further consideration). Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) Certification. (CERTIFICATION REQUIRED to receive credit for further consideration). Possess a valid state driver's license. (Please DO NOT provide driver's license. We may not accept pictures. This requirement will be verified during interview). In addition to the English Language Proficiency and Selective Placement Factors above - to qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-06) in the Federal Service - that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the Medical Care Transportation Technician - EMT. Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists - speech pathologists - medical officers - and optometrists. Therefore - technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes applying skill of body systems (e.g. - skeletal - muscular - nervous - respiratory - circulatory) to conduct patient assessments and provide emergency patient medical care; operating emergency vehicles and a variety of emergency/medical equipment - tools - supplies; and using communication techniques and equipment to relay information to and from dispatchers and health care providers. -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of one (1) full year of graduate education directly related to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (Transcript Required) -OR- COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience - described above - may be used to meet total qualification requirements. (Transcript Required) NOTE: If you qualify based on a combination - your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The EMT's work involves extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients in a variety of situations. Generally - the work requires recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching - and positioning of patients - frequently under adverse conditions or in confined areas. EMTs may be required to spend prolonged periods in protective breathing apparatus and protective clothing during chemical - nuclear - biological - or hazardous materials incidents/exercises. On a regular and recurring basis - employee is exposed to infection and contagious diseases - is required to work in all types of weather and traffic conditions and faces risks and discomforts at the scene of accidents - to include the possibility of noxious fumes - dangerous substances - cuts - bruises - etc. - requiring the EMT to comply with special safety and health precautions and/or to use protective gear. Work may also expose the EMT to patients who are intoxicated - under the influence of drugs or mentally unstable resulting in belligerent and sometimes violent behavior.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Conducts patient assessments - assesses severity of illness/injury and identifies life threatening problems Determines/prioritizes appropriate medical treatment/procedures and need for additional assistance EMTs shall perform patient triage - take and records patient's vital signs as needed Performs physical examinations and obtains patient history - assesses status of patient's neurological system - cardiovascular system - circulatory system - skeletal system - orthopedic system - motor and sensory skills - and level of consciousness Administers basic life support care at emergency scene in accordance with established medical standards - which may include providing CPR - and/or drug treatments
• Performs invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients with life threatening and non-life-threatening conditions Operates or utilizes various emergency vehicles and emergency/medical equipment - tools and supplies which may include ambulance - extrication tools - blood pressure cuff - AED - glucose monitor - oxygen terminal - pulse oximetry monitor - medical supplies - radio communications equipment - and general office equipment Provides treatment as prescribed in protocol
• Makes modifications to the protocol - if necessary - within prescribed limits When not responding to Emergency Response Team calls - the incumbent may serve in a technical support capacity to the Emergency Department Selects the most efficient route to and from sites - taking into consideration traffic patterns - health facility locations - etc
• EMTs operate emergency transport vehicle and uses telephone and radio communications equipment and systems Adheres to traffic ordinances and regulations pertaining to operation of emergency vehicles
• EMTs prepare appropriate patient and vehicle use documentation and reports to ensure medical requirements are met Provides a thorough safety inspection and operator maintenance (e.g. - monitoring fluid levels - replacing air filters and interior lights - checking tire pressure - etc.) Responsible for taking patients to and from medical areas Assists in lifting and carrying patients into or out of transport vehicles and into treatment facility Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: EMTs work rotating shifts - including holidays - and are subject to occasional recall to maintain adequate coverage of the Emergency Department and ambulance service 24 hours a day - 7 days a week
• Mandatory overtime may be required due to run times that may extend beyond normal scheduled work hours
• DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA
• Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved