Summary This is a non-supervisory Health Technician (Pedorthist) position in the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Department. This system includes a Medical Center, outpatient clinic Ponce and Mayaguez. The incumbent will provide patient care, services and support to an adult veteran population with specialized needs. The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to Veteran patients in need in our Orthotic Laboratory Section with device fittings. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and task of the Health Technician - Pedorthist include, but are not limited to the following: Communicates and interacts with physicians , allied health professionals, patients and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as subject matter expert to develop the pedorthic treatment plan. Provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, and multiple complex conditions and interrelated conditions. Assess patients for indications/contraindications. Discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of the plan. Analyzes the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications. Takes scans and measurements for advanced devices, prepares, and modifies casts for advanced devices, repairs and fabricates advanced devices. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Privileges {Individual Scope of Practice) other credentialled clinicians to provide pedorthic care based on ABC privileging requirements. Responsible for the application of prefabricated appliances such as, but not limited to, Lumba-sacral supports, prosthetic socks and sheaths, elbow and ankle supports, elastic support hose, hand splints, soft knee braces, neck collars, abdominal binders, trusses, and non custom in-depth shoes. Take 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. Incumbent will apply the item to body and limb segment, adjusting as required. Designs, fabricates and modifies prosthetic/orthotic devices including, but not limited to, leg and back braces, cervical collars, knee orthoses, and arch supports in accordance with prescriptions. Responsible to receive patients, either in person or over the telephone and refer to the appropriate service or clinician. Responsible for answering routine inquires and to make appropriate referral to questions concerning service for Prosthetic and Orthotic Lab and fitting room. Responsible for the complete processing of all related encounter data. The incumbent is responsible to document that the workload performed is entered in the prosthetic package including encounters for each visit. Incumbent will enter progress notes of delivery and all patient and medical team contacts. Timely completes work orders as assigned. Responsible to make orders through CPRS and ROES for prosthetics components and soft goods. Responsible to process a 10-90 form and to insure that is included when application for outside services requested. Looks for delayed orders or problems concerning delivery of requested prosthetic and/or orthotic devices and provides follow up with the concerning personnel to solve complaint in an effective and prompt manner. Responsible to receive, pack and send casts, foam boxes, measurements, orthotic or prosthetic device from the Orthotic &Prosthetic Lab. Maintain a daily log of every item sent to patient, to outside vendors or central fabrication facility. Compiles statistical data of prefabricated orthotic/prosthetic items/ services for VISN. Research information on prosthetic and orthotic devices services from local and national sources. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am -4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62274F, 62274F, 62275F, 62276F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Credential. Candidates must possess one of the below credentials. Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). OR, Credentialed in pedorthics by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC).-Documentation Submitted. OR, Exception for Non-Credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist). Non-credentialed individuals who have successfully completed a Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP), Commission on Accreditation of Pedorthic Education (CAPE), National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or American Board for Certification of Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) approved pedorthic certificate program (see Pedorthist Programs) and otherwise meet ABC's eligibility requirements for certification (see Pedorthist Candidate Guide) may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Aid (Pedorthist) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-credentialed individuals shall only provide care under the clinical oversight of a credentialed pedorthist, orthotist, or orthotist/prosthetist at or above the full performance level. Non-credentialed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health Aid (Pedorthist) must actively pursue meeting requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Aid (Pedorthist) with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees, who fail to maintain the required certification, of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation, which may also result in separation from employment. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and credentialing/certification, where applicable. Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. GS-4 Experience: Six months of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities associated with pedorthic practice equivalent to the next lower grade. s. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of patient related psychology, for example age-related competency, patient, and caregiver stressors. (b) Knowledge of foundational sciences related to development of pedorthic treatment, for example anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology. (c) Knowledge of materials science commonly used in fabrication, for example adhesives, plastics, composites, metals, and leather. (d) Knowledge of regulations and procedures to ensure patient privacy. (e) Ability to assign Healthcare Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding to pedorthic devices. GS-5 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in conducting patient assessments. (b) Skill in developing simple pedorthic devices (includes assessment, measurement, selection, and fitting). (c) Ability to consult with providers and allied health colleagues regarding treatment. (d) Ability to assess device to ensure structural soundness and compliance with prescription and fit. GS-6 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in developing a follow up treatment plan for complex pedorthic device @types. (b) Ability to process paperwork for pedorthic devices being produced and fitted by vendor. (c) Ability to place administrative orders with procurement staff for treatment modalities. (d) Ability to assess device @types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription. (e) Ability to process consults/orders. GS-7 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-06). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in designing advanced pedorthic devices. Skill in assessing device @types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription. Skill in written communication. Skill in oral communication. Skill in fabrication of all pedorthic device @types. Skill in designing innovative pedorthic devices to include new and emerging technology. Selective Placement Factor 1. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 2, Must be proficient in spoken Spanish Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Physical Stamina to manage physical job tasks, such as approaching around the patient and standing for long periods. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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 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. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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.
