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.

Major duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Orthotics and therapeutic shoe fitters (Fitters) work in the Orthotics and Prosthetics laboratory of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aides service at any one of the VAMC in VISN 20. Fitters work under the general direction of the Certified Orthotist or Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at their facility. The main purpose of these Fitters is to fit and apply orthotic devices and depth inlay shoes.
• He/she instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device. The incumbent greets, measures, fits, dispenses and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances. The devices provided include but are not limited to: braces for upper and lower extremities, spinal orthoses, soft goods, diabetic shoes, over the counter (OTC) ankle/ knee immobilizers, supports, and corsets. He/ she will also measure and fit non-custom and custom hosiery.
• Incumbents may prepare casting for shoes and custom shoe inserts using foam impression techniques for eventual fabrication by Certified orthotist or Certified orthotist prosthetists. NOTE: Fabrication principles and the manufacturing of custom orthotic devices is reserved for Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists.
• Incumbents will perform simple orthotic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, shoes, using a wide variety of materials including leather, metal, plastic and fabric components of various braces

Incumbent annotates patient medical records to computerized patient records system (CPRS) with regards to services and/or treatments provided to comply with Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Standards.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30PM MST
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)/PD10294A
Physical Requirements: Most of the time is spent standing, squatting or kneeling while examining patients, and walking long distances to various locations within the medical center. Manual dexterity in procedures of measuring and fitting is required. There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects between 10-40 pounds and occasionally need to lift more than 40 pounds.

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.
• 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
• 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)
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 03/05/2026

This position has a selective placement requirement: English 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 selective placement requirement, applicants must also meet the below specialize experience.

GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 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. 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 requires application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device; Measure, fit, dispense and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances; Perform simple orthotic repairs, such as repairs to cuffs, suspension straps, shoes, using a wide variety of materials including leather, metal, plastic and fabric components of various braces; annotate patient medical records to computerized patient records system regarding services or treatments provided and inputs data into an electronic database system for accurate reporting of National Prosthetic Patient Data recording all work performed including material cost or labor.

Preferred Experiences:
- Already holds a credential as a Certified Orthotic Fitter or therapeutic shoe fitter
- Has prior experience as an athletic trainer applying athletic tape to stabilize injuries or provide over the counter Orthotic devices independently
- Has strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and tissue characteristics to appropriately apply orthotic devices
- Has experience working with plastics, bending metal, and using machinery to grind, sand, and sew
- Has had coursework or training on the job in orthotics or prosthetics
- Has experience as an orthopedic cast technician applying casts to people with acute injury in an assisting capacity
- Ability to identify anatomical landmarks using medical terminology
- Has an ability to read understand and explain fitting procedures to others
- Knowledge of HIPPA and OSHA guidelines and how to access web sites to locate guidelines
- Knowledge of various orthotic devices and their use
- Has experience fitting over the counter orthotics or applying casts on persons with acute injuries
- Understands medical terminology, and can identify anatomical landmarks using laymen terms
possesses strong customer service skills
- Ability to read directions, follow instructions
- Acknowledge of various orthoses to be able to select them from inventory

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level

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.

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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

• Job title
• Duties (be as detailed as possible)
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary/Rank etc.
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
• References, current or recent supervisor

Do not include the following types of information in your resume:

• Classified or Government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Documents Required:

• Resume

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.

Next steps