Health Technician-Prosthetic Fitter

Summary

This position is located at the VA Illiana Health Care, in Danville, IL with the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The primary purpose of the position is to serve as an orthotic fitter by measuring and fitting veterans for appliances as prescribed by their physician.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/20/2024 to 06/03/2024

• Salary

$44,117 - $57,354 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Danville, IL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

DN-12419816-24-EAC

• Control number

791846300

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This job is open to

• The public

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

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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Duties

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Receives prosthetic consults from physicians, interpret and determine what appliance is needed.

• Independently performs fitting of orthotic appliances.

• Takes 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.

• Communicates and instructs patients in proper procedures for wearing and maintaining orthotic devices in order to achieve the maximum benefit.

• Documents any communication and instructions given to the patient using the electronic consult and progress notes Computerized Patient Records System (CPRS) utilized by this medical center.

• Take appropriate action in the VISTA/GUI system on day of visit to create encounters related to the clinic visit.

• Inspect the devices to ensure that it is of high quality and matches the prescription requested by the clinician.

• Receives and analyzes Prosthetic Requests and prescriptions for orthotic soft goods from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, patients or their representatives.

• Selects the appropriate HCPCS code (which identifies the item) and ICD-10 code (which identifies the diagnosis) to use for the entry.

• Examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine legal eligibility and medical entitlement for orthotic items and services based on adopted criteria.

• Identifies priorities for requests to comply with VACO mandated five (5) day deadline for initial action as well as routine monitoring of all pending consults according to the Business Practice Guidelines for Consult Management.

• Advises physicians and other professional staff as to the availability, selection, and acquisition of orthotic devices or services and furnished information concerning new developments in the orthotic field and sources of supply for such items.

• Maintains continuous liaison with vendors, medical center professionals, and staff to ensure the timely acquisition and provision of item or service.

• Uses office automation equipment such as a computer, fax machines, calculator, copier, and telephones, to effectively communicate with others, produce forms and complete correspondence.

• Maintenance of current catalogs, brochures and vendor files will ensure the incumbent's ability to advise the professional staff regarding readily available items of lesser costs which will achieve the intended rehab goal.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

NOTE:

• The Preferred candidate will be ABC Certified Fitter.

• The employee is responsible for maintaining American Heart Association (AHA) Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician-Prosthetic Fitter/PD241760

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

• 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.

Specialized Experience for GS-6: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Basic Experience: Knowledge of the mechanical function of orthotic and sensory aids appliances, Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, Ability to read and understand prescriptions and orthotic procedures to undertake the fitting of orthotic appliances. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel. Therefore, technician experience that requires the application of the knowledge, methods and techniques of the position to be filled. For this position this would include knowledge and skills in: Independently performs minor repair, adjustments and fitting of orthotic appliances, communicate and instructs patients in proper procedures for wearing and maintaining orthotic devices in order to achieve the maximum benefit, research's information on prosthetic appliances, services, and medical equipment from local and national sources, uses office automation equipment such as a computer, fax machines, calculator, copier, and telephones, to effectively communicate with others, produce forms and complete correspondence.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.

Physical Requirements: The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity. The work requires some physical exertion, some bending, stooping, and crouching to work on devices and fit them to the patient. Work involves some lifting and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment, up to 40 pounds. Work as a Clerk is sedentary. There exist prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal.

Work Environment: Incumbent works in a hospital office and storage area. The incumbent has direct daily contact with patients and may handle equipment returned from veterans with contagious diseases, therefore, is required to practice Universal Precautions on a daily basis.

Education

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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

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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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.