LEAD PARAMEDIC Job in Oklahoma City, OK

Vacancy No. CBSU-12740299-25-WV Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $75,035.00 to $92,540.00 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/29/2025 Close Date 9/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Oklahoma City, OK


Summary

This position is located at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, in the Nursing Acute Care Service. This position performs technical duties as a Lead Paramedic (Basic and Advanced Life Support Services). In addition to performing all the duties and responsibilities of a Paramedic and will Lead three or more Paramedics, GS-0640-09, and a cadre of Emergency Medical Technicians, GS-0640-07.

Duties

Major duties of this position include but are not limited to:

  • Reviews the work of EMTs and Paramedics to ensure that the supervisor's instructions, work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met. Amends or corrects work performance not meeting established standards. Ensures that each employee has an integral role in completing the daily team mission.
  • The Lead Paramedic trains, or arranges for the training, of the EMT and Paramedic team members and uses the methods and techniques of team building to accomplish tasks or projects. Provides or arranges for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
  • Lead Paramedics shall have broad knowledge and skills sufficient to provide and gather information on the human body structure, function, illnesses and diseases, and the treatment procedure supporting patient charting and goals for the assigned patient for the purpose of communicating with the patients and nursing/medical staff members.
  • Responds to on-site accidents and other emergencies involving injury and illnesses, sometimes encountering situations which may be life threatening. Determines and prioritizes appropriate medical treatment/procedures and need for additional assistance.
  • Lead Paramedic provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with American Heart Association (AHA) standards, varying the approach for small children/infants. Incumbent treats patient according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Recognizes and determines the causes and basic medical implications of closed and open soft tissue wounds and treats appropriately using appropriate bandages according to emergency department protocols.
  • Bleeding and Shock; accurately determine blood pressure readings, which are used in conjunction with a variety of symptoms, to identify the nature of shock and treat according to pre-hospital trauma life support (PHTLS) ACLS guidelines. Fractures of Torso and Extremities.
  • Recognize fractures, dislocations, and sprains while he/she determines the proper method and steps to immobilize the patient for transport.
  • Miscellaneous Medical Emergencies, and recognizes, stabilizes, and treats a wide variety of medical emergencies, e.g., poison ingestion or inhalation, bites/stings, pediatric patients, heart attacks, strokes, etc.
  • Will employ communicable disease control and containment measures per emergency department protocol.
  • Lead Paramedic assess the seriousness of and treats heat, electrical and radiation burns, heat exhaustion/stroke, hypothermia, chemical exposure injuries, injuries from ammunition, armament, and fire control incidents, etc.
  • Psychomotor Skill Set: BiPAP/CPAP, needle chest decompression, chest tube monitoring, percutaneous cricothyrotomy2, ETCO2/Capnography, NG/OG tube, nasal and oral, endotracheal intubation, airway obstruction removal by direct laryngoscopy, PEEP.
  • EKG interpretation Interpretive 12 Lead, central line monitoring, IO insertion, venous blood sampling, techniques of Med Administration Medication Administration (Endotracheal, IV push and infusion), NG, rectal, IO, topical, accessing implanted central IV port, administered meds, Physician-approved medications, maintenance of blood administration, Thrombolytics initiation.
  • Lead Paramedic selects the most efficient route to and from sites, taking into consideration traffic patterns, health facility locations, etc. Operates the emergency transport vehicle and uses telephone and radio communications equipment and systems.
  • After each trip, replaces linens, blankets, and other supplies; sends supplies and equipment for sterilization, and ensures vehicle is ready for the next run. Performs thorough safety and operator maintenance inspections and makes minor repairs on a variety of emergency ambulances, patient transport vehicles, and medical equipment.
Work Schedule: 11:30am -12:00 Midnight
Compressed/Flexible: N/A
Telework: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: LEAD PARAMEDIC/PDS10136-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for qualified applicants
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): N/A

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All 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.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2025.

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-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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: 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.

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.
  • Specialized Experience GS-10: To qualify for this position at the GS-10 level, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Specialized experience typically includes: a broad knowledge of the majority of body systems, i.e., skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and genitourinary, to perform patient examination and to provide prompt, efficient, and appropriate patient care and handling; have a well-developed working knowledge of physiological and topographic anatomy, e.g., right/left, surface, proximal/distal, superior/ inferior to accurately transmit location information about the body and its functions; have a well-developed working knowledge of diagnostic signs, e.g., pulse, respiration, blood pressure, temperature, skin color, pupils of the eyes, state of consciousness, ability to move on command, reaction to pain, etc., to perform patient examination, provide patient care, and ensure appropriate patient handling; knowledge of advanced and invasive airway procedures that may include needle or surgical cricothyrotomy, pleural decompression, endotracheal intubation, nasal intubation, application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and/or automatic transport ventilator devices; skilled and knowledge to perform electro cardiology procedures including taking and interpreting electrocardiograms (EKG), performing manual defibrillation, and providing transcutaneous external pacing; knowledge sufficient to understand the legal considerations of emergency care, e.g., actual/implied consent, Good Samaritan laws, etc., to limit the government and the incumbent's exposure to lawsuits while maintaining the legal standards of care; knowledge and skill in emergency medicine techniques to determine, based on the diagnosis of the patient, the approach that will most effectively sustain the patient's life; administers medications and solutions orally or intravenously under the direction of standing orders (protocols) or of an off-site physician; knowledge of how to document drugs administered and providing information to the hospital or medical provider either while in transit or upon arrival and observing and documenting the effects of drugs administered; skill and familiarity with emergency and patient transport vehicle characteristics to safely operate the vehicle under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions to provide emergency and patient transportation, and skill and knowledge of proper operator maintenance to ensure vehicle meets safety and operating requirements.

Applicants must possess and maintain the following certifications for this position:

Required Licenses and Certifications: Paramedics shall possess and maintain current Basic Life Support Provider certification. Paramedics shall maintain certification as a National Registered Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic).

Paramedics shall possess and maintain current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.

Paramedics shall possess a valid and Unrestricted State Driver's License. (Do not provide a copy of your Driver's License, this requirement will be verified during the interview process)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Clinical Data Collection/Documentation
  • Emergency Care
  • First Response
  • Patient Care
  • Transportation


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.

Physical Requirements:
The Lead Paramedic's work involves extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients in a variety of situations. Generally, the work requires recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and positioning of patients, frequently under adverse conditions or in confined areas. Incumbent may be required to spend prolonged periods in protective breathing apparatus and protective clothing during chemical, nuclear, biological, or hazardous materials incidents/exercises.

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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Benefits

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
  • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
  • An SF-50 showing 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
  • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
  • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
    • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
    • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
    • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12740299.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Oklahoma City Health Care System
921 Northeast 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.