Summary
This position is located at the Miami VA Medical Center in the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service. 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.
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 337.201) for this occupation.
Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Designs and fabricates devices when there are no standard guidelines.
- Implements training of use of new materials, techniques and applications of new appliances.
- 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.
- Creates custom design and manufacture devices and to make custom shoe modifications as needed to ensure proper compliance of application of prescription.
- Collaborates with other prosthetic/orthotic lab staff as appropriate.
- Issues detailed instructions on nonstandard assignments.
- Assure the proper fit and function of all prescribed appliances, the work of other prosthetic/orthotic lab staff must be of the highest quality.
- Requests and maintains an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices to meet anticipated needs of patients and be able to respond 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.
- Learns of improved materials and techniques so that the latest and best appliances can be made available to the veteran.
- Reviews prosthetic/orthotic laboratory inventories when receiving requests for those items in the inventory, determines if any inventory item meets the needs of the patient and requester, and properly documents the transfer from inventory of any item.
- Ensures that all equipment being returned to stock is properly cleaned and sanitized in accordance with JCAHO standards.
- Attends clinics and discusses cases assigned with various levels of staff, and attends Amputee Clinic for bracing needs, which is normally handled by our Orthotist/Prosthetist staff.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD08342A
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.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized.
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
- May serve a probationary period
- 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
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Individual Occupational Requirement: 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.
GS-7 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-6 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: 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.
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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR,
- Combination of Experience & Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education Beyond the undergraduate level. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Preferred Experience:
- Certified Orthotic Fitter
- Medical Terminology Experience
- Customer Service
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.
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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
Documents Required:
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). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
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.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
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 occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/08/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12560032.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. 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 USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details 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 USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated 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.
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