Medical Care Transportation Technician - Paramedic

Summary

This position is assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Veterans Transportation Services (VTS) - Ambulance Service located in Hines, Illinois.

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. Applicants must be proficient in basic written and spoken English to perform the duties of this position.

Selective Placement Factors (Screen‑out): Four selective placement factors are prerequisites for appointment. Applicants who do not meet any of the following factors are ineligible for further consideration.

• Valid/current state‑issued license/certification for Paramedic.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
• Valid and unrestricted state driver’s license.

Applicants must also satisfy at least one of the following qualification pathways for GS‑09 level:

• Specialized
  
  Experience:
  
  At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑08 in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the Medical Care Transportation Technician – Paramedic. Such experience includes knowledge of body systems, patient examination, response to emergencies, patient transport, communication with dispatchers and health care providers, protocol knowledge for chemical, nuclear, biological, and hazardous materials incidents, and operation of emergency transport vehicles.
• Substitution of Education for
  
  Experience:
  
  Completion of two years of graduate education or a master’s degree directly related to the work of the position (transcript required).
• Combination of
  
  Education and Experience:
  
  Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education (over one year) and experience; transcript required.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The position involves extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients, frequent bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and positioning under adverse or confined conditions. Responsibilities may include prolonged use of protective breathing apparatus during chemical, nuclear, biological, or hazardous materials incidents. Exposure to infection, contagious diseases, and interactions with intoxicated, drug‑influenced, or mentally unstable patients may occur.

• Location & Availability: This is not a virtual position. Applicants must live within or be willing to relocate to a commutable distance of the duty location.
• Assigned to the VHA – Veterans Transportation Services – Ambulance Service at various VA Medical Center locations with an emergency room, acute care, or urgent care clinic, performing basic and advanced life support procedures.
• Respond to accidents and emergencies involving injury, illness, or life‑threatening situations.
• Conduct patient triage and record vital signs.
• Perform a complete assessment of patient’s condition and obtain patient history.
• Make independent preliminary patient assessments to determine safety of movement and appropriate destination.
• Administer basic and advanced life support care, including cardiac monitoring and defibrillation.
• Provide fluid resuscitation by IV and manage trauma injuries, bleeding, and post‑traumatic shock.
• Operate emergency vehicles and medical equipment such as ambulance, extrication tools, blood pressure cuff, cardiac monitor, glucose monitor, defibrillator, endotracheal tube, external pacing device, 12‑lead EKG, airway equipment, intravenous pump, oxygen terminal, pulse oximetry monitor, CPAP, auto‑ventilator, medical supplies, and radio communications equipment.
• Apply ambulance interpretive guidelines for airway obstruction, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, mechanical breathing aids, bleeding and shock, fractures of torso and extremities, head‑face‑neck and spine injuries, eye‑chest‑abdomen‑and‑genitalia, childbirth, miscellaneous medical emergencies, and environmental emergencies.
• Operate emergency transport vehicles, use telephone and radio communications, select efficient routes considering traffic, adverse weather, and health facility locations, read highway maps, program GPS devices, and follow instructions.
• Decontaminate vehicles and ensure readiness for the next run by replacing supplies, performing safety inspections, and conducting operator maintenance.
• Perform other duties as necessary.
• Work Schedule: Roving shifts including holidays, with occasional recall for coverage. May require mandatory overtime due to extended run times.