Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter Job in Fargo, ND

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

If selected at the GS-06, it is a developmental position leading to a GS-07, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Constructs/shapes and repairs common orthotic/prosthetic devices from casts and/or documents provided by clinician, such as repairs to custom foot orthoses and shoes, using a wide variety of materials.
• Under the direction of a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, constructs/shapes molded and custom-made orthoses/prostheses including but not limited to upper, lower limb, including shoe modifications, and spinal orthoses.
• Fits and dispenses non-custom orthotic soft goods. Assists with the repair, engineering, fitting and dispensing of orthotic appliances.
• Answers telephone inquiries directed toward the Service and responds appropriately.
• Assists in the managing of orthotic and prosthetic inventory within the Department, including chemical inventory.
• Requests patient specific items through the Remote Order Entry System (ROES).
• Limited plaster modifications to upper and lower extremity orthotic and prosthetic devices under supervision of Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist.
• Blister or drape forming materials under vacuum over positive models and trimming and smoothing devices for fitting.
• Fabrication of custom foot orthotics using Amfit blanks and carver. The incumbent adheres to specifications, conformance to models and tracings provided by the certified practitioner requesting the service.
• Installs valves, locking mechanisms and assembles transtibial and transfemoral sockets with bench alignment to an endoskeletal pylon system per manufacturer recommendations in preparation for dynamic alignment.
• Shapes and cosmetically finishes the outer contours of prosthesis.
• Follows instructions on the orthometry form and cast or tracing provided by the clinician to create AFOs and KAFOs; verifies correct size metal is used based on the pt's weight and alignment provided on the orthometry form, bends/ contours metal stirrups and uprights, rivets through the midsole, attaches the bars to the ankle joint and attaches the calf band.
• Answers telephone inquiries directed toward the Service and responds appropriately (e.g. directly answer the inquiry or direct the individual to another resource) when required.
• Ensures inventory locations are kept clean and organized. The incumbent may also be required to unpack shipments, check packing slips against orders and contents of the shipment and assemble the necessary documentation for orthotic and prosthetic items needing to be reordered.
• Requests patient specific items through the Remote Order Entry System (ROES).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12803647. The application process is as follows:

1. 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.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/26/2025. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required assessments and 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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.