Health Technician (EMT)

Indian Health Service; Pine Ridge (SD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service in Pine Ridge, SD, seeks a Health Technician (EMT) to serve in the Emergency Department. The role focuses on basic technical health extender functions, responding to accidents and medical emergencies with EMT procedures.

Position emphasizes trauma care, patient handling, and safety, including compliance with immunization and background requirements. On-call may be required. Real ID compliance noted for 2025. Moderate physical demands and hazardous environments are intrinsic.

Qualifications

• Minimum six months of general experience or one year of education related to the occupation.
• Must possess current unrestricted EMT-Paramedic or EMT-Intermediate certification.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Performs EMT duties identifying and treating trauma and medical emergencies using emergency medicine techniques.
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties applying knowledge of major body systems to provide patient care and appropriateHandling.
• Assists with moving, lifting, and carrying patients to emergency vehicles and treatment facilities; conducts safety and maintenance checks on vehicles/equipment.
• Conducts complete assessments using advanced knowledge of anatomy and emergency medical techniques.

Skills

EMT Certification

Patient assessment

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Health Technician (Emergency Medical Technician)

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Health Technician (Emergency Medical Technician) in the Emergency Department. The primary purpose of the position is to perform basic technical health care extender functions within the emergency medical arena in response to various accidents and other emergencies involving injury and illness.

Real ID Requirement

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

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Performs EMT duties by identifying and treating trauma and/or medical emergencies using knowledge and skill in emergency medicine techniques.

Performs a range of diagnostic support duties using acquired knowledge of the major body systems to provide patient care and ensure appropriate patient handling.

Assists with moving, lifting, and carrying patients to emergency vehicles and appropriate treatment facility. Performs safety and maintenance inspection on emergency and patient transport vehicles and equipment.

Conducts complete assessment using advance knowledge of topographic anatomy, knowledge of major body systems, knowledge of emergency medical techniques.

Physical Effort/ Work Environment for all grades: While performing the duties of this position, the employees' duties regularly involve extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients. Generally, the work requires recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and positioning of patients, frequently under adverse conditions, or in confined surroundings. On a regular and recurring basis, employee is exposed to infection and contagious diseases, and is required to work in all types of weather conditions. Employee also faces risks and discomforts at the scene of the accidents, to include the possibility of noxious fumes and dangerous substances, requiring the employee to comply with special safety and health precautions and/or to use protective gear.

Total Compensation Package

Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period


• U.S. Citizenship is required


• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959


• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.


• On-call hours or standby duty may be required.


• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Background Investigation Requirement

• This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.


• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.


• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.


• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

• This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.


• Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).


• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Basic Requirement(s)

GS-03 Individual Occupational Requirements: Health Aid and Technician Series 0640 (opm.gov)

• Education and Training For GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included study in medical, health, or related fields.

Selective Placement Factor

For Grade GS-03:

Must possess a current unrestricted Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-Intermediate certificate).

• Must submit a copy of your certification with your application.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-03

Experience:

Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter of the position to be filled. OR, one (1) year above high school with courses related to the occupation.

OR

Education in place of experience

Completion of One (1) year above high school with courses related to the occupation.

OR

Combination of education and experience

When combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-03 grade level.

Education

If you are substituting education for experience:

You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-6 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

Essay Questions

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?


• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?


• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?


• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?


• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.


• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.


• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.