Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent is assigned to the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System's (CAVHCS) Fire Department in the Safety and Emergency Management Service. The Firefighter/EMT responds to fires and other emergencies in residences, multi-story patient care buildings, psychiatric care units, community living centers, outpatient clinics and laboratories, electrical shop, general repair shop, warehouse, natural gas station, E85 pumps, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, brush, and wooded areas.

• The firefighter performs emergency procedures that are noninvasive. In performing these procedures, the firefighter: Responsible to brief staff physicians, nurses, physicians' assistants, and other health professionals on care provided and recordings of the patient's assessment. The EMT must be certified to administer Automatic Defibrillation. Identifies, assesses the degree of emergency, and renders aid for cardiovascular disorders, heart and circulation disorders, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, seizure disorders, anaphylaxis, hypoperfusion, poisoning and overdose emergencies, alcohol and substance abuse, environmental emergencies, hypothermia, behavioral emergencies, various emergencies associated with obstetrics and gynecology, respiratory emergencies, etc. Responds, assesses specific medical needs, and renders medical aid during a multiple casualty incident, involving infants and children to adults. Maintains awareness of the medical, legal and ethical issues and may be sued or held legally liable on any issue in patient care and treatment. Responsible for taking patients vital signs. Expects stressful reactions when responding to an incident which involves major trauma or distortion to the human body such as, patients with amputations, deformed bones, deep wounds, and violent death. Deals with patients with behavioral problems. Performs patient assessment (primary and secondary head-to-toe survey). Treats patients with emergencies involving soft tissues, open wounds with possible internal organs that are exposed, the upper and/or lower extremities, the skull and spine, soft tissues of the head and neck, the chest, abdomen, genitalia, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, diabetes, childbirth, and burns. Administers care to patients with respiratory failure, airway obstruction and performs cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Detects, evaluates, and controls external and internal bleeding. Operates and maintains equipment consisting of base stations, mobile radios, portable radios, and cellular phones. Knowledgeable in language of anatomy & physiology, anatomical postures language and directions of movements. Familiar with the departments' personal protective equipment (PPE). Familiarizes self with laws such as Duty to Act, Negligence, Standard of Care, Abandonment, Patient Rights-Consent, Patients-Confidentiality, Immunities, and other legal aspects. Serves as driver/operator of major motorized firefighting equipment, responding with fire engine to assist ambulance at emergency scenes and a variety of utility service calls. Operates alarm room equipment including radio, computers, and fire reporting facilities. Performs maintenance tasks on firefighting apparatus, equipment, and facilities. Assists with hydrant, hose, sprinklers, and alarm tests. Provides classes for training of "hands on" or lecture, for other firefighters in the skills of driving and operating equipment. Serves as Lead Firefighter if required. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 8:00pm, 72-hour week, 144 hours per pay period; works a schedule of 48hrs on then 72hrs off, 48hrs on then 72hrs off, and 48hrs on then 48hrs off. Work schedule subject to change based on the needs of the department. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD104080

Read the full announcement on USAJOBS