Summary This position is located at the Boise VA Medical Center in Boise, Idaho within VISN 20. This is an open-continuous announcement. Positions will be filled as they become available. The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be December 18, 2025, the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to: Orthotics and therapeutic shoe fitters (Fitters) work in the Orthotics and Prosthetics laboratory of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aides service at any one of the VAMC in VISN 20. Fitters work under the general direction of the Certified Orthotist or Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at their facility. The main purpose of these Fitters is to fit and apply orthotic devices and depth inlay shoes. He/she instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device. The incumbent greets, measures, fits, dispenses and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances. The devices provided include but are not limited to: braces for upper and lower extremities, spinal orthoses, soft goods, diabetic shoes, over the counter (OTC) ankle/ knee immobilizers, supports, and corsets. He/ she will also measure and fit non-custom and custom hosiery. Incumbents may prepare casting for shoes and custom shoe inserts using foam impression techniques for eventual fabrication by Certified orthotist or Certified orthotist prosthetists. NOTE: Fabrication principles and the manufacturing of custom orthotic devices is reserved for Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists. Incumbents will perform simple orthotic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, shoes, using a wide variety of materials including leather, metal, plastic and fabric components of various braces Incumbent annotates patient medical records to computerized patient records system (CPRS) with regards to services and/or treatments provided to comply with Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Standards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30PM MST Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)/PD10294A Physical Requirements: Most of the time is spent standing, squatting or kneeling while examining patients, and walking long distances to various locations within the medical center. Manual dexterity in procedures of measuring and fitting is required. There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects between 10-40 pounds and occasionally need to lift more than 40 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 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) A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 03/05/2026 This position has a selective placement requirement: English 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 selective placement requirement, applicants must also meet the below specialize experience. GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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 requires application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device; Measure, fit, dispense and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances; Perform simple orthotic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, shoes, using a wide variety of materials including leather, metal, plastic and fabric components of various braces; annotate patient medical records to computerized patient records system regarding services or treatments provided and inputs data into an electronic database system for accurate reporting of National Prosthetic Patient Data recording all work performed including material cost or labor. Preferred Experiences: - Already holds a credential as a Certified Orthotic Fitter or therapeutic shoe fitter - Has prior experience as an athletic trainer applying athletic tape to stabilize injuries or provide over the counter Orthotic devices independently - Has strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and tissue characteristics to appropriately apply orthotic devices - Has experience working with plastics, bending metal, and using machinery to grind, sand, and sew - Has had coursework or training on the job in orthotics or prosthetics - Has experience as an orthopedic cast technician applying casts to people with acute injury in an assisting capacity - Ability to identify anatomical landmarks using medical terminology - Has an ability to read understand and explain fitting procedures to others - Knowledge of HIPPA and OSHA guidelines and how to access web sites to locate guidelines - Knowledge of various orthotic devices and their use - Has experience fitting over the counter orthotics or applying casts on persons with acute injuries - Understands medical terminology, and can identify anatomical landmarks using laymen terms possesses strong customer service skills - Ability to read directions, follow instructions - Acknowledge of various orthoses to be able to select them from inventory NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level 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. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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/. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is 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. 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.
