Firefighter (Paramedic)

Summary

This position serves as a Firefighter (Paramedic) in the Fire Protection Section at the Veterans Maryland Healthcare System, Perry Point, MD. The Fire Protection Section is responsible for fire prevention, fire protection and fire suppression activities.

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 may include, but are not limited to the following: Utilizes all sources of information to investigate and determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of emergency. Performs initial and continuous patient assessment, as well as physical examination to determine patient care methods. Takes, records, and monitors patient's vital signs. Ascertains from patient or bystanders the patient's significant medical history, drug history and history of current event. Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or application of automatic external defibrillation (AED). Establishes communication with receiving facility and provides appropriate information through verbal report of patient condition and treatments provided, as well as estimated arrival time. Employs proper emergency medical techniques, treatments, and equipment to stabilize the patient and initiate transport as soon as possible. Prepares appropriate patient care reports and ensures documentation is appropriately filed. Responds to fire alarms or other emergencies and calls for assistance from both the Medical Center and the surrounding communities. Functions as driver/operator and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus. Operates the Medical Center's emergency communications center and ensures that all fire alarms, supervisory alarms, and other emergency communications equipment are continuously monitored. Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center on a quarterly basis to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards, including inspecting fire extinguishers for proper type, placement and operating condition, and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems. Performs as a first responder to hazardous materials incidents occurring on station and performs as a team member in determining the materials/chemicals involved, the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts of 72 hours per week. 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

Qualifications

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL, APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (SCREEN OUT): 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 DRIVER'S LICENCE (SCREEN OUT): You must possess and maintain a current and valid state-issued driver's license. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. Driver's License will be verified during interview. AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT): Selective Placement Factors (SPF) have been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristics basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet them are ineligible for further consideration. NOTE: CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSE(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE CLOSING DATE TO RECEIVE CREDIT. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: Current and valid Firefighter I Certification in accordance with NFPA 1001 Current and valid Firefighter II Certification in accordance with NFPA 1001 Current and valid Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Certification in accordance with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Current and valid Fire Apparatus Operator (Driver/Operator) Certification in accordance with NFPA 1002 Current and valid Hazardous Materials Operations Certification NFPA 472 AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Such duties may include (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. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week to be credited. AND 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 firefighter service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57. Prior service in covered positions and creditable towards retirement may be subtracted from the applicant's age to determine if the Federal firefighter meets the maximum entry age. AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants for positions that have duties of an arduous or hazardous nature must meet the medical standards described at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/. Since individual positions may not include all such duties, a physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and the nature of the duties of the specific position to be filled. Employees in positions involving firefighting duties or other duties involving arduous physical exertion may be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. (See 5 CFR 339.) Any serious deviation from sound medical condition may be grounds for rejection, regardless of whether the condition is named below. Remediable defects or curable diseases will not exclude a person from consideration, but proof that such defects have been remedied or the disease cured must be received during the life of the eligible register before persons otherwise qualified may be considered for appointment under civil service rules. In addition to meeting the criteria above, Quality Ranking Factors* have been identified to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factors for this position are: Fire Inspector I Certification and Fire Inspector II Certification in accordance with NFPA 1031. These certifications are not required for empl