This position is located in the Fire Department at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Its purpose to provide fire suppression, protection, inspection and emergency medical services to VA Medical Center facilities, Battle Creek, MI.

Duties

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Responds to all medical center alarms, performs such firefighting duties as determining the nature and extent of the fire, the appropriate action required, laying and connecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ventilating burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc. Drives and operates multiple fire engines, ambulances, and other Fire Department vehicles to scene of fire following predetermined route or selecting alternate route when necessary. Positions vehicle considering such factors as wind direction, sources of water and hazards from falling structures. Operates pumps, foam generators, nozzles, and other similar equipment. Determines proper pressures for the distances to be pumped and the number of lines being used. Applies principles of hydraulics as they pertain to water flow friction and friction loss. Maintains a constant awareness of water levels in self-contained tanks and warns hand-line and rescue personnel when tanks are close to running dry. Performs checks, tests, and maintenance on pumper and equipment, troubleshoots and corrects problems during actual operations. Operates the Medical Center ambulance for response to medical and code emergencies on the grounds of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center including life threatening emergencies. Will provide non-invasive procedures following State and Federal Emergency Medical Basic Life Support Protocols and in support of the attending Medical center physician or offsite paramedics responding to the campus and will provide on-scene direction to VAFD members with a lower level of emergency medical response training. The Firefighter/EMT will be a member of the Medical Center Emergency Team for emergency medical response involving injuries or illness of patients, staff, and visitors to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. His or her response will consist of the minimum Basic Life Support (BLS) duties: Employ all sources of information in order to determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of injury. Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination to determine priority of patient care based upon initial findings. Takes, records, and monitors patient's baseline vital signs. Attempts to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical problems and to obtain a comprehensive drug history from the patient. Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or automated external defibrillation (AED) Controls external bleeding with direct pressure and treats for shock. Applies oxygen therapy to personnel experiences signs of difficulty breathing by applying a non-rebreather or nasal cannula mask. Splints and immobilizes fractures and dislocations for transport. Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing all patient information including estimated time of arrival. Employs a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport as soon as possible. Assists Advanced Life Support staff including physicians and nurses. Prepares appropriate and relevant patient documentation and reports to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported. Incumbent is certified according to the VHA Directive 7718 as a Firefighter II and the Hazardous Materials Operations Level. The incumbent must also possess valid certifications as a Pumper Driver/Operator and Fire Inspector II upon hire. A current National Registry or State of Michigan Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic level certification is also required upon hire. Incumbent is required to possess a valid state driver's license and employee must participate in a drug testing program. Incumbent must pass an annual physical examination in accordance with established medical standards based on NFPA 1500 and 1583. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) will typically work a 48-hour tour of duty that averages to 72 hours per week, 144 hours per pay period to accomplish the goals and mission of the Medical Center. This schedule may be modified to meet the needs of the medical center. The Firefighter will occasionally work overtime for staffing purposes or when designated by management. Work Schedule: 48 hours on followed by 48/72 hours off Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD91616A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/18/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (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. These duties would have been performed exercising independent judgment and under general supervision. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: 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 Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Current, valid, state or national registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)- Basic certification. Documentation is required. AGE REQUIREMENT: Maximum Entry Age: For initial appointments, applicant cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the day of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit noted, but who have previously served 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 Federal 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. REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION: For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting equipment, applicants must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators. Please do not submit a copy of your driver's license. If you are called for an interview, you WILL be REQUIRED to provide a copy of your license at that time. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency situation. Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. The Firefighter must be able to lift more than 50 pounds and have the physical ability to perform firefighting duties while wearing personal protective equipment that weighs between 40-50 pounds. Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency situation. Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer ServiceEmergency CareEmergency ManagementFire ManagementFirst ResponseMedical InformationPatient CareVehicle Operation 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. ???? 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/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Jamie Cole
• Phone: (269) 832-1641
• Email: [email protected]