The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to Veteran patients in need in our Orthotic Laboratory section, with a specialization in shoes, bracing and device fittings.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Pedorthist) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Credential / Certification-Documentation Submitted. (1) Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). or, (2) Credentialed in pedorthics by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC). or, (3) Exception for Non-Credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist). Non-credentialed individuals who have successfully completed a Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP), Commission on Accreditation of Pedorthic Education (CAPE), National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or American Board for Certification of Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) approved pedorthic certificate program (see Pedorthist Programs) and otherwise meet ABC's eligibility requirements for certification (see Pedorthist Candidate Guide) may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Aid(Pedorthist) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-credentialed individuals shall only provide care under the clinical oversight of a credentialed pedorthist, orthotist, or orthotist/prosthetist at or above the full performance level. Non-credentialed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and credentialing/certification, where applicable. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a credentialing only at higher grade levels must meet the credentialing requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtains credentialing/certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: Grade Requirements - Health Tech (Pedorthist) - GS-7 Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which includes the following: Skill in developing a follow up treatment plan for complex pedorthic device types. Ability to process paperwork for pedorthic devices being produced and fitted by vendor. Ability to place administrative orders with procurement staff for treatment modalities. Ability to assess device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription. Ability to process consults/orders. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) - GS-7 In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Skill in designing advanced pedorthic devices. Skill in assessing device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription. Skill in written communication. Skill in oral communication. Skill in fabrication of all pedorthic device types. Skill in designing innovative pedorthic devices to include new and emerging technology. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7. Physical Requirements: The incumbent performs work in an office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts. The incumbent may visit clinics, units, stock rooms, warehouse areas and vendor's shops. The work is performed in a medical center with the possibility of encountering ill or diseased patients. The incumbent may handle equipment returned from patients with contagious diseases. Normal safety precautions are required. Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, and lifting is required in the performance of assigned duties. The incumbent will be required to lift items weighing up to 50lbs.
Duties and task of the Medical Technician - Pedorthist include, but are not limited to the following: Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the pedorthic treatment plan. Provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, and interrelated conditions. Assess patients for indications/contraindications Discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of the plan Analyzes the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications Takes scans and measurements for advanced devices, prepares and modifies casts for advanced devices, repairs and fabricates advanced devices and provides patient/caregiver education for advanced devices. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Privileges other credentialed clinicians to provide pedorthic care based on ABC privileging requirements. Fabricates and modifies prosthetic/orthotic devices including, but not limited to, leg and back braces, cervical collars, knee orthoses, and arch supports in accordance with prescriptions or orders from physicians. Responsible for the application of prefabricated appliances such as, but not limited to, Lumbo-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. 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. Responsible to receive, pack and send casts, foam boxes, measurements, orthotic or prosthetic device from the Orthotic & Prosthetic Lab. Consistently communicates and treats customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Full Time. Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62276F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized