This position is assigned to the Prosthetic Treatment Center (PTC), Orthotic & Prosthetic (O&P) Services {Lab), Hampton VA Medical Center, located under the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6). The Orthopedic Technician (Orthotic Fitter) functions and provide appropriate orthotic devices and treatment. The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct, timely patient care to Veterans by measuring and fitting orthotic appliances, and assistive devices that are prescribed.

Duties

Major Duties: The Orthopedic Technician (Orthotic Fitter) functions and provide appropriate orthotic devices and treatment. The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct, timely patient care to Veterans by measuring and fitting orthotic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic and diabetic shoes, and orthotic supports that are prescribed. The position will instruct Veterans and caregivers on function, use, and care of the device. Other duties include maintaining proper inventory of orthotic devices and ensuring training requirements are met. Greets and assists Veterans requiring non-custom orthotic devices, which include, but are not limited to: braces for upper and lower extremities, spinal orthoses, soft goods, diabetic shoes, ankle/knee immobillizers and supports, corsets, and compression hosiery. Conducts interviews to ensure Veteran and caregiver understand what device has been requested by the provider and purpose of device. Performs minor adjustments/modifications to orthotic devices to ensure proper fit and function is achieved (i.e. stretch shoes, add or remove to adjust orthoses to properly fit, cut inserts to fit inside shoes, etc.). Other significant modifications to an orthotic device will be referred to an Orthotist/Prosthetist. Refers Veteran to the Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (Lab) team when current device no longer meets Receives and analyzes electronic Prosthetic consults (prescriptions) generated through CPRS for orthotic devices from physicians, therapists, and other medical center personnel to ensure consult is accurately completed. Reviews disability and/or diagnosis International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for which the device is being prescribed to ensure the provider has entered proper documentation notes or medical justification to support the medical need the Veterans medical needs. Receives and analyzes electronic Prosthetic consults (prescriptions) generated through CPRS for orthotic devices from physicians, therapists, and other medical center personnel to ensure consult is accurately completed. Reviews disability and/or diagnosis International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for which the device is being prescribed to ensure the provider has entered proper documentation notes or medical justification to support the medical need. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Orthopedic Technician/PD028410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/01/2023. 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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Greeting and assisting veteran requiring non-custom orthotic devices, which include, but are not limited to braces for upper and lower extremities, spinal orthoses, soft goods, diabetic shoes, ankle/knee immboilizers and supports, corsets, and compression hosiery; conducting interviews to ensure Veteran and caregiver understand what device has been requested by the provider and purpose of device; taking measurements , fits, and applies orthotic devices; instructing Veteran on appropriate use and safety of device and the care and maintenance of device in order to achieve the desired benefit and maximize the function and lifetime of the device .OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation(s) with a knowledge in medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, or other like subject areas.OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level may be combined with work experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Medical InformationTechnical CompetenceExperience 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 walking between work area, fitting rooms, stock room, waiting areas and within the O&P Lab work area. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to fit device to the Veteran. Manual dexterity in the procedures of measuring and fitting is necessary and using small tools, such as orthotic scissors, sander, heat gun, etc. There are times when the Incumbent is required to lift and carry objects weighing 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally in excess of 40 pounds. 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/.

Education

This position offers training and clinical hours to assist the selectee in getting their Orthopedic Fitter Certification.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Eric Whittaker
• Phone: 919-956-5541
• Email: [email protected]