Summary This position is in Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center serving in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic Savannah, GA. The Prosthetics Health Technician will perform duties as assigned in serving veterans with orthotic devices as prescribed by qualified clinicians. Responsibilities Schedules and receives patients as required Orthotic clinics utilizing CPRS and creating encounters for proper clinical documentation in accordance with the National PAVE Directive. Utilized clinical and technical knowledge to educate patients in accordance with the issuance of orthotic devices. Assists the VA Department of Defense (DOD) Podiatrist to answer questions during non-standard procedures for custom Orthotics. Operates and maintains medical equipment for treatment procedures. Performs a variety of specialized clinic procedures such as preliminary examination and evaluation of patients for standard custom orthotics. Manages clinical environments in the treatment of patients with clinical needs. Ensure patient safety protocols are met in a clean environment. Fits multiple @types of orthoses, impression casts feet for orthoses and measures feet for correct fit or special-order footwear (with computer or mechanical assistance) and ensures proper safety of devices issued. Documents clinical findings in CPRS of clinical conditions through clinical encounters as treated during fittings of such devices. Maintains certification of Orthotics Fitters instruction in accordance with Continuing Education requirements. Initiates procurement action, using the Purchase Card 95% of the time or more for all prosthetic devices, Fulfills the instructions of the consult and applies use of procurement hierarchy. Maintains compliance with established National contracts, Federal Supply Schedules and VISN contracts and/or Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA') when procuring items and/or services for beneficiaries. Enters national contract numbers onto purchase orders. Prepares amendments, addresses disputes and initiates communication or other action with the vendor as required to facilitate the purchase reconciliation process. Procures and maintains an off-the-shelf inventory at multiple locations that support the clinical needs for patients served from the Beaufort, Savannah and Hinesville outpatient clinics. Maintains compliance with established National contracts, Federal Supply Schedules and VISN contracts and/or BPA's when procuring items and/or services for beneficiaries. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 4:30pm. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Ad-hoc Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD080150 Physical Requirements: Work may involve frequent bending, stooping, stretching, etc., as well as repositioning patients. Manual dexterity in handling instruments is required. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. 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. May serve a probationary period As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR INSERT "2-year trial 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 (OR INSERT "trial 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 by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) Specialized Experience: Positions in this series range widely in @type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to e filled OR Education and Training: One full year (GS-7) or 1/2 year (GS-6) course of study towards graduate education with major study or at least 9 or 18 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position In addition to the IOR, candidates must meet the specialized experience below: GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 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. Specialized experience includes: Experience applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, and operations of the Prosthetics/Sensory aid Service with ability to teach these to clinic newcomers. Experience with instruments/devices and procedures of the Prosthetic/Sensory Aid Services. Experience in intricate examinations or treatment procedures, associated with Prosthetics Care. Experience managing clinical environments in the treatment of patients with clinical needs and ensuring patient safety protocols are met. Experience sufficient to diagnose common podiatric pathologies and perform common Prosthetics. Experience in application and removal of strappings, casts, braces, therapy devices and compression wraps and resolution of recurring problems. OR, Substitution of Education: Successful completion of One full year (GS-7) or 1/2 year (GS-6) course of study towards graduate education with major study or at least 9 or 18 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. (A legible copy of transcripts with date the degree was conferred, coursework with grades and hours earned must be submitted with your application.) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. (A legible copy of transcripts with date the degree was conferred, coursework with grades and hours earned must be submitted with your application.) 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 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. 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. 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. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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/. 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. 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.
