The primary purpose of the position is to support the clinical operations and administrative functions of the OKC VAMC Prosthetics Clinical Lab by fitting orthotic devices and therapeutic footwear and other devices as certified, assisting with clinic/fabrication lab organization and daily maintenance, and ensuring that all work is performed following safety and compliance standards.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/18/2025. Individual Occupational Requirement (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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education is described below: Specialized Experience GS-07: Specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to...Current certification and in good standing with the American board for Certification (ABC) as a Certified Fitter-Orthotics or BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, and ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes and/or may have or obtain other qualifying credential from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics Inc. Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BOC) or State or National Agency/Organization with equivalent standards. Knowledge of a wide variety of orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. 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 and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. 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 various computer software programs. OR One full year or 18 semester hours of graduate education directly related to the position. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience. The total percentage of specialized experience and education when added together must equal 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-G6, i.e. 9 credit hours and 6 months of specialized experience are equivalent to 1 year. Specialized Experience GS-08: Specialized experience for this position 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/or 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 and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. 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 and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. Knowledge to select, fit, and properly adjust most prefabricated orthotic devices and therapeutic footwear and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant.. 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 various computer software programs. OR One and a half years or 27 semester hours of graduate education directly related to the position. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience. The total percentage of specialized experience and education when added together must equal 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-G6, i.e. 18 credit hours and 6 months of specialized experience are equivalent to 1 year. Preferred Experience: Possesses a current certification and is in good standing with the American board for Certification (ABC) as a Certified Fitter-Orthotics or BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, and ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes and/or may have or obtain other qualifying credential from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics Inc. Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BOC) or State or National Agency/Organization with equivalent standards. Has additional certifications and/or experience in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics to include technical experience. The use of common tools, measuring devices, and materials related to fitting and adjusting of orthotic devices and therapeutic shoes and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. Provides non-custom therapeutic shoes and non custom multi-density inserts and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. Operates within a scope of practice that is specific to fitting certain custom fitted, prefabricated and off the shelf orthoses and/or other devices within scope of practice of the certificant. Resolves most fitting concerns. 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. 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/.
This position has the following Major Duties include but are not limited..... Knowledge of a wide variety of orthotic devices and/or therapeutic footwear and/or other devices within scope of practice. Basic knowledge of their purpose and function and basic knowledge for selecting, fitting, and adjusting of these devices. 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 devices with in scope of practice of the certificant.. Knowledge of patient anatomy and specialized terminology associated with the work of orthotics and/or therapeutic footwear and/or other devices within scope of practice. Must understand the steps, procedures, terminology, and policies associated with orthotics and therapeutic footwear to apply the knowledge required. Knowledge of computer software programs used for creating documents, logging, tracking patients, and assigned orders. Health Technician evaluates patients, develops treatment plans, fits, and adjust devices within scope of work under the supervision of the Clinical Lab Chief, Orthotic/ Prosthetic Laboratory. The incumbent will maintain certification and/or licensure as an ABC Certified Fitter-Orthotics or BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, and ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes and/or 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. Ensure that the fittings are performed in a manner compliant with local, state, and national standards. (e.g., VACO/OSHA/ABC/BOC Etc.) Provides non-custom therapeutic shoes and non-custom multi-density inserts. Operates within a scope of practice that is specific to fitting certain custom fitted, prefabricated and off-the-shelf orthoses, and/or other devices within scop of practice of the certificant, and resolves most fitting concerns. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday -Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Applicable Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD14306A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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.