Health Technician

Summary

The incumbent is responsible for the procuring, measuring, design fabrication, fitting, alteration and repairs of such orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports that are prescribed for Veteran beneficiaries. This position is assigned to the PM&R Service at the VA Medical Center, Richmond VA.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

09/25/2024 to 10/09/2024

• Salary

$51,161 - $66,510 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 7

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Richmond, VA 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

7

• Job family (Series)

• 0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

• Suitability/Fitness

• Financial disclosure

No

• Bargaining unit status

Yes

• Announcement number

CBTA-12559839-24-RNL

• Control number

811379300

Help

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• Internal to an agency

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• Internal to an agency

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Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Application of prefabricated appliances such as, but not limited to, limbo-sacral supports, prosthetic socks and sheaths, elbow and ankle supports, elastic support hose, hand, splints, soft knee braces, neck collars, abdominal binders, trusses, and non-custom in-depth shoes.

• Incumbent will take measurements of body and limb segments appropriate to the item being fit, and select an off the shelf item, sized appropriately with appropriate model or design, to the patient.

• Incumbent will apply the item to body and limb segment, adjusting as required. Incumbent will enter progress notes of delivery and all patient and medical team contacts.

• Timely completes work orders as assigned.

• The incumbent performs simple orthotic/prosthetic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, inserts, using a wide variety of materials and techniques.

• Repairs leather, metal, plastic and fabric components to artificial limbs and braces.

• The assignments involve measuring, fabricating and fitting patients with orthotic devices.

• The incumbent performs independently, procurement activities, training patients on the use of prosthetic devices, repairing and fitting of orthotic appliances.

• The incumbent will act on behalf of the Prosthetic Representative in clinics that evaluate and fit patients. The incumbent may schedule and coordinate such clinics on the Prosthetic Representative's behalf.

• Incumbent fits patients with the less complex items such as foot orthotics, elastic hose, wrist splints, knee braces, diabetic stockings, less complicated footwear, cervical collars, minor lumbar support orthotics, LS Belts, Warm N-Form, Abdominal Binders, trusses and hernia supports, etc.

• The incumbent assists in the administering the following specialized programs within the service to include but not limited to: measuring/fitting or provision of the item(s) services; completion of appropriate forms and referrals as required.

• The incumbent prepares molds, custom made arch supports /repaired devices and any type of modification required ensuring proper fit and function of devices.

• This is followed by precision adjustments and alignment or the device as necessary to obtain the maximum benefit to the veteran and to ensure the device is safe and comfortable.

• The incumbent takes measurements and makes impressions/casting of feet and submits them to the current contracting company when ordering custom made orthopedic and other special fitting orthotics.

• The incumbent makes independent determinations of the most appropriate device based on the veteran's disability, age, activity level, and type of living circumstances. Performs Other Duties as Assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD01401A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2024.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

In addition to the language proficiency requirement state above, the following experience and/or education is required:

GS-7 EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience: Technician experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled (Health Technician

• Prosthetics/Orthotics). Examples of specialized experience include designing, repairing, fabricating, fitting and/or dispensing orthotic and/or prosthetic devices; making entries in patient charts to record provision of orthotic and/or prosthetic devices to patient and assisting in the education of patient in use of device; and maintaining appropriate stock level of necessary medical items.

NOTE: This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit.

OR

GS-7 EDUCATION: Successful completion of one year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent) that included courses directly related to the work of the position (Prosthetics/Orthotics). Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

GS-7 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience as described above for the GS-7 level to qualify for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ABC/BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter (CFo, or COF)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Customer Service

• Technical Competence

• Technical Credibility

• Textiles

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 position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity, long periods of standing and walking between work area, fitting rooms, stock room, waiting areas and within the O&P Lab work area. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to fit device to the Veteran. Manual dexterity in the procedures of measuring and fitting is necessary and using small tools, such as orthotic scissors, sander, heat gun, etc .. There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects weighing 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally in excess of 40 pounds.

Work Environment: The work is performed in a well-lit, HVAC and ventilated areas. The areas include fitting rooms, machine/fabrication areas and administration offices. The Lab has hand tools and machines, which may expose the incumbent to dust and noise. The incumbent may assist with cleaning or storing hand tools or machinery and will ensure that all machine safeguards are in place and properly stored. Incumbent will ensure that gloves, hearing protection and proper dust masks are used.

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

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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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

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

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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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. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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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.

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.