Employee serves as a Firefighter - Paramedic for the Veterans Health Administration in Martinsburg, WV, adjacent Federal agencies, and designated mutual aid partners; maintains readiness for potential emergencies that call for the provision of advanced life support. Responds to emergencies as directed by supervisory staff and works within scope of all Standard Operating Guidelines and other applicable protocols.***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following:

Paramedic: performs emergency and Basic Life Support procedures; conducts a thorough physical examination to assess the condition of patients and plans treatment methods. Administers electro-cardiology methodology to include EKGs, defibrillation (manual), and use of emergency external pacemakers. Engages in advanced/invasive airway proceedings such as endotracheal intubation, nasal intubation, and CPAP applications. Assesses pediatric (infant; neonatal) patient conditions; performs childbirth in emergencies. Follows standard orders or those of a physician in administering medicines/solutions both orally and intravenously. Provides pertinent information to medical providers both in-route and upon arrival at medical facility. Uses and maintains emergency equipment, and properly disposes of biohazard materials.

Intermediate Life Support: performs high-level airway procedures using esophageal or dual lumen airway devices; performs oral intubation via laryngoscopy; performs intravenous fluid start-ups and administers selected medications as protocols dictate. Handles emergency equipment, biohazard materials, and medical and expendable supplies according to protocols.

Firefighter: performs firefighting and rescue operations using proper extinguishing solutions and methods of contamination. Wears protective gear when encountering agents such as poisonous gases, radioactive materials, and/or hazardous biological products. Performs crash/rescue (i.e., helicopters) and firefighting in environments wherein the existence of flammables and explosive makes work operations intense and hazardous. Directs water, operates or deactivates mechanisms and systems, performs standby, and participates in pre-fire planning and fire prevention exercises. Performs as hazardous materials first-responder, establishes a safe-perimeter and control area access while waiting for law enforcement personnel, and maintains typical hazardous materials response equipment. Provides assistance to the injured via the use of direct pressure and/or tourniquets to stop bleeding, check for blockages to the airway, performs CPR, immobilizes patients for transport, and other comparable functions.

Miscellaneous Support duties: maintains the fire station and emergency response equipment (e.g., connections, valves, hoses, minor repairs to vehicles; tests ladders, vehicles and equipment). Performs alarm desk watch duties, monitor/receive alarms and alert personnel. Maintains logbooks and receives/relays pertinent information. May drive and operate significantly complex firefighting/emergency vehicles and equipment. Participates in all training required to attain and sustain work-related competency and obtains and maintains all required licensure/certifications. Assist in the training of other firefighters. Performs other duties as necessary.

Additional Position Criteria: Employee is subject to periodic travel. Work requires an annual physical. Works requires participation in a Physical Fitness Program. Employee is subject to recall after a normal tour of duty in the event of an emergency and may be required to work overtime.

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.

Work Schedule: Rotating 48-hour shifts, 72 hours per week. Rotating shifts and time-off will be discussed during the interview process. Subject to Emergency On-Call.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
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.

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SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS (SCREEN-OUT) - 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 SPF are ineligible for further consideration.

The SPFs for this position are listed below and requires ALL of the following (Copy of Professional Board and/or State Certifications must be provided with your application materials to receive credit):

Valid State Driver's License
Firefighter I and Firefighter II Certification
Hazardous Material Operations Level Certification
Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMT - P) Certification
Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator

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SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) in the Federal service that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) rescue operations; (3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (4) operation of fire communications equipment; (5) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention; and (7) providing emergency medical first responder (Paramedic) pre-hospital patient assessments by conducting systematic physical examinations to determine patient's condition and treatment. In addition to the above Professional Board and/or State Certifications, the hiring facility also prefers applicant(s) to possess a Fire Inspector certification.. (Resume(s) must clearly support the required experience to be creditable. See the duties section of this announcement for clear details. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.)

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MAXIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously served as a federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re-enter the fire service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable Federal fire service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIREFIGHTER - PARAMEDIC: As per the Office of Personnel Management qualification standards, includes: Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation; Mechanical Equipment Operator; Performance Test; and Medical Requirements. (Explanations provided via External link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/)

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

Communications
Emergency Care
Fire Management
First Response
Hazardous Materials

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: Moderate to heavy physical effort is required when reaching, bending, climbing, turning, or moving hands, arms and feed in the performance of firefighter duties. Employee is required to participate in a physical fitness program. Employee is required to work both inside and outside, frequently being exposed to adverse weather conditions and extreme heat while performing firefighting duties. Employee may be called upon to work in environments that are classified as immediately dangerous to life or health and, in some cases, may be required to work long hours under severe, stressful conditions.

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/.There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Martinsburg VA Medical Center

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