A veteran emergency medical technician working in Warren County was suspended after a pelvic examination on a pregnant teenager "grossly departed from the appropriate standard of care," according to New Jersey health officials.

Frederick M. Wagner was working for the Washington Emergency Medical Services Squad at the time of the incident, state Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Donna Leusner said.

Wagner was notified of his suspension Thursday by a letter, which was also posted to the department's website. He has 30 days to appeal the suspension and request a hearing.

He did not immediately respond Monday to messages left for comment on phone numbers listed for him. Officials with the squad serving Washington did not immediately return a call for comment left on their number or respond to an email seeking comment.

Wagner, who online records show is 34, has been a certified EMT since he was 16, according to the state department; his current certification expires June 30.

He was dispatched March 8 to an unspecified government office for a 17-year-old pregnant female patient complaining of cramping, the letter states.

Arriving to find the patient lying on a couch, the letter states, Wagner assessed the patient and found her abdomen rigid and tender "and the patient was palpated to be three or four centimeters dilated," referring to her cervix. The patient was prepared for transport to a rendezvous with an advanced life support ambulance.

"While giving report to the paramedics, it was reported that the patient was dilated," Nancy Kelly-Goodstein, acting director of emergency medical services in New Jersey, says in the letter sent to Wagner. "The paramedics questioned how the crew knew this, and it was indicated that you had 'checked her.' Upon arrival at the hospital, it was conveyed to the receiving labor and delivery staff that the patient was dilated. When it was questioned as to who checked her, you indicated that you did."

The state Office of Emergency Medical Services was notified on April 13 of the alleged exam and opened an investigation.

Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum, EMTs work in unsupervised, two-person teams and the procedure for assessing a pregnant patient includes questions about her status and whether the patient is crowning, according to the letter. The curriculum cautions to "not touch vaginal areas except during delivery and when your partner is present," the letter states.

Investigators spoke with two employees present with the patient at the government office when the squad responded. They said Wagner assisted the patient to a stretcher and when she said she needed to use the restroom, he donned a glove and and declared he was going to have to "check her," according to the letter.

Wagner allegedly pulled the patient's pants forward and placed his hand toward her genital area before stating her cervix was dilated and birth was imminent. He further said she may need to given medication to slow the progression of delivery, according to the letter.

"Ultimately, the patient was treated for dehydration and released from the hospital," the letter states. "At no time was the patient dilated and ready to give birth."

According to the letter, "The information the OEMS has gathered to date regarding this matter demonstrates that you acted outside the scope of practice for an EMT-Basic and grossly departed from the appropriate standard of care for the above-mentioned patient. Moreover, your actions demonstrate poor judgement and lack of trustworthiness as well as establish that you pose a threat to vulnerable, minor, female patients.

"Indeed, you violated a young, female patient who was in a vulnerable state. As such, the department finds that your continued certification as an EMT-Basic constitutes an immediate and serious threat to public health, safety and welfare."

The timeline of the suspension is open-ended, and it is to continue until the department closes its investigation, the letter states. Wagner was ordered to immediately surrender his EMT-Basic certification cards and is barred from performing the duties of an EMT-Basic in New Jersey until the suspension is lifted.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.