Career Center

Summary

These positions are located at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville - NC. This position performs basic life support procedures.

Qualifications

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill - knowledge - ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Below see the Selective Placement Factors for this position: Medical Care Transportation Technician - EMT must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) Certification Medical Care Transportation Technician - EMT must possess a valid/current state issued/certification for eligibility for employment (EMT). Possess a valid state driver's license. PLUS ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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 meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ In addition to the English Language Proficiency requirement - to qualify for this position at the GS-7 level - applicants 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-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge - skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Medical Care Transportation Technician - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes operating a vehicle to transport patients; assisting in behavioral/ psychiatric situations in an emergency setting; triaging patients; taking and recording patient's vital signs; performing physical examinations and obtaining patient history; assessing status of patient's neurological system - cardiovascular system - circulatory system - skeletal system - orthopedic system - motor and sensory skills - and level of consciousness. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title - duties - month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ EDUCATION: You must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Medical Care Transportation Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Emergency Care Patient Care Transportation IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: 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. 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/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include - but are not limited to - the following: Conducts patient assessments and assesses severity of illness/injury
• Performs patient triage and records patient's vital signs
• Administers basic life support care at emergency scene in accordance with established medical standards
• Operates or utilizes various emergency vehicles and emergency/medical equipment - tools and supplies
• Uses radio equipment and follows FCC-approved procedures to communicate with and transmit EKG information to the emergency service physician
• Adheres to traffic ordinances and regulations pertaining to operation of emergency vehicles
• Decontaminates the vehicles in accordance with Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) established procedures
• Assists in lifting and carrying patients into or out of transport vehicles
• Leads and unloads patients either by wheelchair or stretcher and seeing that the patient is secured
• Performs other duties as assigned DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITON: 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 results is received
• Work Schedule: Variable tours with weekend and holiday requirements - to be discussed during interview
• Recruitment Incentives: May be approved for highly qualified candidates Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required