Medical Care Transportation Technician - Paramedic

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time position is with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Transportation Services Ambulance Service, at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. It is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

The Paramedic responds to on-site accidents and medical emergencies, assesses and triages patients, determines appropriate treatment and whether additional assistance is needed, and provides emergency care during transport to an appropriate medical facility. The work includes examining patients, obtaining histories and vital signs, assessing multiple body systems and level of consciousness, and performing authorized invasive and non-invasive procedures. The employee responds to cardiac and respiratory emergencies, performs cardiac monitoring and defibrillation, controls bleeding, supports circulation, manages spinal injuries and immobilization, provides intravenous fluid resuscitation, and treats trauma and post-traumatic shock.

The employee operates emergency vehicles and medical equipment, tools, and supplies. Paramedics work rotating shifts, including holidays, and may be recalled to maintain 24/7 Emergency Department and ambulance-service coverage. Mandatory overtime may be required when calls extend beyond scheduled hours. Continued employment requires maintaining National Registered Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic) certification. Applicants tentatively selected for this testing-designated position are subject to pre-employment drug testing.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Current Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) certification; submit certification with the application.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider certification; submit certification with the application.
• Current National Registry-issued certification for eligibility for employment; submit certification with the application.
• Current, valid, unrestricted state driver's license; verified during interview.
• For GS-09 qualification, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-08 in the Federal Service, or two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree, or an equivalent combination of qualifying graduate education and experience.
• Qualifying specialized experience includes knowledge of body systems for patient examination; responding to emergencies and providing basic life support; transporting patients to medical facilities; communicating accurately with dispatchers and healthcare providers; knowledge of emergency-care protocols for chemical, nuclear, biological, and hazardous-material incidents; and operating emergency or patient-transport vehicles.
• Experience must be documented on the resume with job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• Submit transcripts if using education to qualify; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Maintain National Registered Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic) certification as a condition of continued employment.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• A pre-placement physical examination is required; applicants are subject to background and security investigation and pre-employment drug testing.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment and onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• For applicants using foreign education to qualify, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Respond to on-site accidents and emergencies involving injury or illness, including potentially life-threatening situations.
• Determine and prioritize appropriate medical treatment and procedures, identify the need for additional assistance, triage patients, and take and record vital signs as needed.
• Perform physical examinations and obtain patient histories; assess neurological, cardiovascular, circulatory, skeletal, and orthopedic systems, motor and sensory skills, and level of consciousness.
• Perform invasive and non-invasive procedures for life-threatening and non-life-threatening conditions according to established procedures or as authorized or directed by physicians.
• Respond to cardiac and respiratory emergencies; perform cardiac monitoring and defibrillation, maintain circulation, control bleeding, and provide spinal management and immobilization.
• Prioritize treatment for patients with multiple problems and use advanced emergency medicine techniques, methods, and equipment during transport to an appropriate medical facility.
• Provide intravenous fluid resuscitation and manage trauma injuries, bleeding, and post-traumatic shock.
• Operate emergency vehicles and emergency or medical equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level