To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/10/2025.
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). This position has the following IOR:
Specialized Experience: 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.
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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the
GS-06.
For a
GS-08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the
GS-07.
The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows 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.
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.
Applicants may qualify for this position by possessing the Specialized Experience as stated below:
Specialized Experience GS-07: To qualify using the specialized experience at the GS-07 level, applicants must possess 52 weeks of experience at the GS-06 level. Examples of specialized experience includes but is not limited to..
.Knowledge of a wide variety of orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear. Basic knowledge of their purpose and function and basic knowledge for selecting, fitting, and adjusting of these devices. Must be cognizant with basic terms used to describe the equipment and the sources from which the item can be obtained to assure that it will meet the objective of the ordering provider and the patient. Knowledge in the use of common tools, measuring devices, machines and materials related to selecting, fitting, and adjusting various orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear, and or other items with the scope of practice of the certificant. Ability to read and understand orders and orders for orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear. It is desirable to have knowledge of all types of disabilities. Must have skill in adjusting metal, plastic, fabric, and other materials and associated tools or mechanical devices to assemble and adjust orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear. Knowledge of computer software programs used for creating documents, logging and tracking patients, and assigned orders, time and leave entries, learning activities, and general access to information on the internet. Must be able to apply this knowledge to computer software programs including but not limited to: VATAS, TMS, VA DALC and ROES, FLOW, VISTA and CPRS.
Specialized Experience GS-08: To qualify using the specialized experience at the GS-08 level, applicants must possess 52 weeks of experience at the GS-07 level. Examples of specialized experience includes but is not limited to..
.Maintain credentials as ABC Certified Fitter-Orthotics or BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, and ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes and may have or obtain other qualifying credential from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics Inc. (ABC) or the Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BOC) or State or National Agency/Organization with equivalent standards; Knowledge in the use of common tools, measuring devices, machines and materials related to fitting and adjusting of orthotic devices and therapeutic shoes. Incumbent must have the knowledge to access manufacturers websites and industry publications through the internet and search engines and understand the sources to access information on orthotic devices, shoes/inserts, materials, and componentry; Knowledge to select, fit, and properly adjust most prefabricated orthotic devices and therapeutic footwear. Effective communication skill to coordinate with other prosthetics department and hospital staff, vendors, and suppliers. Knowledge of computer software programs used for creating documents, logging and tracking patients and assigned orders, time and leave entries, learning activities, and general access to information on the internet. Must be able to apply this knowledge to computer software programs including but not limited to: VATAS, TMS, VA DALC and ROES, FLOW, VISTA and CPRS.
Preferred Experience: Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BOC) or State or National Agency/Organization with equivalent standards. American Board Certified Fitter-Orthotics or BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, and ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Medical Information
- Technical Competence
- Technology Application
- Writing
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, prolong periods of standing and working at a variety of machines, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, and stretching to care for patients and work on devices and appliances.
- There may be recurring lifting (not to exceed 50lbs) and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment. The position will also require the work of power tools and various machinery.
Work Environment: Includes direct patient care, is frequently around new and used prosthetic and orthotic devices. Dust, noise, fumes, sharp objects, and other potential hazards.
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/.