Summary This position is located in the Prosthetic-Orthotic Laboratory, within the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Department, at the North Texas Health Care System or subsidiaries thereof. The personnel in the Lab design, fabricate, repair, modify and fit a wide range of custom, non-custom prosthetic-orthotic devices prescribed by physicians. This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of orthotic and prosthetic devices. Responsibilities Duties are but not limited to: Measures and Fits Patients: Incumbent must follow ABC or BOC scope of practice based upon ABC or BOC certification. Incumbent measures and fits patients independently based upon ABC or BOC certification. Under the guidance of a Prosthetist/Orthotist, fits clients with devices prescribed by physicians for orthotic or prosthetic items that are not based upon incumbent's ABC or BOC certification. Measures, fits and repairs appliance, such as shoes, inserts, corsets, belts, trusses, breast prosthesis, Bras, compression garments or simple braces for cases which require standard techniques. Interprets physician prescriptions, measures, fits appliances to clients with a variety of conditions that often require adapting standard techniques. Incumbent will also be responsible for assisting in the assembly of components for custom orthotic/prosthetic devices. Inventory Management: Utilizes and manages inventory databases such as the Generic Inventory Package (GIP). Analyzes stock levels and usage schedules to determine funds required and execution of budget plans for assigned inventory. Analyses, coordinates and controls management of assigned items of material. Computes requirements for assigned items. Uses a range of usage, cost, availability for established suppliers, alternative sources of supply and other similar conditions. Work Schedule: 8am- 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD09467-O Physical Requirements: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Duties require regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, reaching, carrying supplies and similar activities. Duties require incumbent to be able to lift. Occasionally it may be necessary to lift supplies and objects weighing as much as 50 pounds. Requires use of proper body mechanics. Incumbent must be able to work in stressful situations. The Lab is busy with patients, phones ringing and sometimes vary irate patients who need to be subdued. Work Environment: Work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions. Incumbent will be working around machinery, irritant chemicals and exposed to patients who may be contagious. Incumbent is required to utilize standard precautions and personal protective equipment when at risk. Incumbent is required to observe normal safety practices with equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and adherence to fire regulation. Incumbent must inform management and Employee Health of medical conditions that contraindicate exposure to chemicals and hazardous materials. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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: 1.) Measures, fits, and repairs prosthetic and orthotic appliances such as braces, inserts, compression garments, and prosthetic devices using established techniques. 2.) Fits prosthetic and orthotic appliances for patients with a variety of medical conditions, adapting standard fitting techniques to meet patient needs. 3.) Assists in assembling components for custom orthotic and prosthetic devices and analyzes inventory levels and usage to support supply and budget planning. 4.) Enters prosthetic and health information into computerized medical record systems and maintains accurate records of items and services provided while ensuring care appropriate to the age of the patient served. There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 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 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/. 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. 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.
