Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Health Technician (EMT)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service

Summary

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.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/21/2026 to 05/11/2026
Salary
$40,736 - $52,597 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Belcourt, ND
Eagle Butte, SD
Pine Ridge, SD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Multiple
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
6
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
IHS-26-GP-12942561-ESEP/MP
Control number
865995900

Videos

Duties

Help

  • 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 - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial 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/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

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).

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):
Health Aid and Technician Series 0640

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Taking vitals, patient movement, collecting data on scene to provide detailed reports; Communicating with team members and medical personnel to provide and receive important information about the patient's condition: Experience assisting with methods, techniques and protocols in the Emergency Medical Services

OR Education in place of experience: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. Or, combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-05 grade level.

AND

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Must possess a current Emergency Medical Technician certificate from a US State or territory.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

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-06 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.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

  1. 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?
  2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
  3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
  4. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process, IHS uses a multi-hurdle assessment process. Each "hurdle" must be passed before moving to the next step. This helps us evaluate applicants based on job-related qualifications, competencies, and experience.

Below is what applicants can expect:
________________________________________
1. Minimum Qualifications Review - Hurdle 1
HR reviews your resume to confirm you meet the eligibility and minimum qualifications for the position (education and/or licensure (if applicable), listed above).
Note: the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
If you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications, you move to the next hurdle.
2. Technical Assessment (Subject Matter Expert Resume Review) - Hurdle 2
A panel of subject matter experts (SME) will review your resume to determine whether you clearly show the required specialized experience listed below.
Note: SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

This assessment is Pass/Fail.

Applicants who demonstrate the required experience will advance.

Taking vitals, patient movement, collecting data on scene to provide detailed reports; Communicating with team members and medical personnel to provide and receive important information about the patient's condition: Experience assisting with methods, techniques and protocols in the Emergency Medical Services.

Demonstration of these specialized experience statements ascertain your competency in the following:

  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Technical Competence


Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12942561.

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 05/11/2026, to be considered.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Agency contact information

Isaiah Franklin
Phone
605-277-6334
Email
Isaiah.Franklin@ihs.gov
Address
Great Plains Area
115 4th Avenue Southeast
Aberdeen, SD 57401
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Indian Health Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.ihs.gov

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.