Summary The Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter) is assigned to the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service with the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. There are two vacancies located at the main hospital in Miami, FL. The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to patients in need in our Orthotic Lab section, with a specialization in bracing and device fittings. The selectee reports to the Orthotic Lab Supervisor. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Measures, design, fabricate, fitting, alteration and repairs of such orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports that are prescribed for veterans. Design and fabricate devices when there are no standard guidelines. Instructs resident physicians and other medical staff in the prescription and application of various orthoses. Serves as a technical advisor to physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists and other staff members in the use and application of appliances. Custom designs and manufacture devices to make custom shoe modifications as needed to ensure proper compliance of application of prescription. Issue detailed instructions on assignments that are of a nonstandard nature. Assures the proper fit and functions of all prescribed appliances, and work of other prosthetic/orthotic lab staff must be of the highest quality. Requests and maintain an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices lo meet anticipated needs of patients. Responds with minimum delay to prescriptions from physicians and requests for replacements from veterans. Maintains proper stock levels, not to exceed thirty days, and the requisitioning of supplies and materials. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)/PD08342A Telework: This position is not eligible for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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. 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 by the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6.Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). 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 required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: measuring, designing, fabricating, fitting, altering and repairing orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports; instructing physicians and other medical staff in the prescription and application of various orthoses; requesting and maintaining an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices to meet anticipated needs of patients.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field directly related to the work of the position to be filled. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond one half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education. (Transcript required). Preferred Experience: Hands-on patient care, technical skills, and collaboration with healthcare professional. Candidates should emphasize their ability to support patient recovery, and their readiness to take on responsibilities in a healthcare setting. Experience in clinical settings, such as working with nurses and physicians, is highly valued. Additionally, experience with medical procedures and patient support is crucial for demonstrating the technician's proven impact in healthcare, workflow fluency, customer service, clinical relevance, tech comfort-actual tool use, and communication style. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Compliance Medical Information Patient Care 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 long-distance walking from clinic to clinic. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing and working at a variety of machines, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to work on devices and appliances and to fit them to the veteran. There may be recurring lifting and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment. 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 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
