Summary
The incumbent is responsible for the procuring, measuring, design fabrication, fitting, alteration and repairs of such orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports that are prescribed for Veteran beneficiaries. This position is assigned to the PM&R Service at the VA Medical Center, Richmond VA.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.
Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Application of prefabricated appliances such as, but not limited to, limbo-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.
- Incumbent will 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. Incumbent will enter progress notes of delivery and all patient and medical team contacts.
- Timely completes work orders as assigned.
- The incumbent performs simple orthotic/prosthetic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, inserts, using a wide variety of materials and techniques.
- Repairs leather, metal, plastic and fabric components to artificial limbs and braces.
- The assignments involve measuring, fabricating and fitting patients with orthotic devices.
- The incumbent performs independently, procurement activities, training patients on the use of prosthetic devices, repairing and fitting of orthotic appliances.
- The incumbent will act on behalf of the Prosthetic Representative in clinics that evaluate and fit patients. The incumbent may schedule and coordinate such clinics on the Prosthetic Representative's behalf.
- Incumbent fits patients with the less complex items such as foot orthotics, elastic hose, wrist splints, knee braces, diabetic stockings, less complicated footwear, cervical collars, minor lumbar support orthotics, LS Belts, Warm N-Form, Abdominal Binders, trusses and hernia supports, etc.
- The incumbent assists in the administering the following specialized programs within the service to include but not limited to: measuring/fitting or provision of the item(s) services; completion of appropriate forms and referrals as required.
- The incumbent prepares molds, custom made arch supports /repaired devices and any type of modification required ensuring proper fit and function of devices.
- This is followed by precision adjustments and alignment or the device as necessary to obtain the maximum benefit to the veteran and to ensure the device is safe and comfortable.
- The incumbent takes measurements and makes impressions/casting of feet and submits them to the current contracting company when ordering custom made orthopedic and other special fitting orthotics.
- The incumbent makes independent determinations of the most appropriate device based on the veteran's disability, age, activity level, and type of living circumstances. Performs Other Duties as Assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD01401A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/20/2024.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 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 language proficiency requirement state above, the following experience and/or education is required:
GS-7 EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience: Technician experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled (Health Technician - Prosthetics/Orthotics). Examples of specialized experience include designing, repairing, fabricating, fitting and/or dispensing orthotic and/or prosthetic devices; making entries in patient charts to record provision of orthotic and/or prosthetic devices to patient and assisting in the education of patient in use of device; and maintaining appropriate stock level of necessary medical items.
NOTE: This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit.
OR
GS-7 EDUCATION: Successful completion of one year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent) that included courses directly related to the work of the position (Prosthetics/Orthotics). Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
GS-7 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience as described above for the GS-7 level to qualify for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- ABC/BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter (CFo, or COF)
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Customer Service
- Technical Competence
- Technical Credibility
- Textiles
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 walking between work area, fitting rooms, stock room, waiting areas and within the O&P Lab work area. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to fit device to the Veteran. Manual dexterity in the procedures of measuring and fitting is necessary and using small tools, such as orthotic scissors, sander, heat gun, etc .. There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects weighing 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally in excess of 40 pounds.
Work Environment: The work is performed in a well-lit, HVAC and ventilated areas. The areas include fitting rooms, machine/fabrication areas and administration offices. The Lab has hand tools and machines, which may expose the incumbent to dust and noise. The incumbent may assist with cleaning or storing hand tools or machinery and will ensure that all machine safeguards are in place and properly stored. Incumbent will ensure that gloves, hearing protection and proper dust masks are used.
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
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.
Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. - Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Misc.
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/20/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12534019.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations where patients receive care or who come into contact with VA patients 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 facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, paid and unpaid, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, students, researchers, volunteers, and trainees who work at these facilities. HCP that are unable to receive or otherwise decline a flu shot will be expected to wear a face mask throughout the influenza season.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
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