Position is with DC. VA Medical Center. Incumbent is a wheelchair repair technician who serves the needs of Veterans with mobility limitations requiring manual or motorized wheelchairs. Works with various teams to ensure Veterans have the best possible independent and safe mobility, and support to prevent injury. Works with clinical staff in the wheelchair clinic, and installs, repairs, removes, modifies, aligns, calibrates, and performs preventative maintenance for referred Veterans.

Duties

A. Maintenance and Repair (80%): The incumbent assembles, modifies, and repairs manual and electric wheelchairs, scooters, power assist devices for wheelchairs, and other various durable medical equipment as appropriate to meet the comprehensive functional mobility and assistive technology needs of the individual Veteran. The incumbent initiates and provides a program of general preventative maintenance, repairs and warehousing for manual or power wheelchairs, seating and positioning equipment and their replacement components; maintains and requests tools and equipment used in the repair and warehousing of wheelchairs. The incumbent inspects manual and power wheelchairs under factory warranty for initial acceptance or return to the vendor or factory for repair or replacement; assembles, energizes, adjusts and tests new power wheelchairs before issuing to Veterans; installs complex seating equipment on manual and power wheelchairs. . The incumbent establishes work methods and procedures to test, diagnose, and repair all electric and electronic components associated with power mobility devices that are out of factory warranty; repairs and maintains all components of these devices to include the support battery charger unit, including removing, replacing, tightening, insulating, or splicing electrical or electronic components; and determining which devices are beyond repair or where it is more economical to replace the device. The incumbent monitors and manages wheelchair clinic inventory, including stocked chairs and parts; communicates directly with logistics staff to ensure an ample supply of products on hand for issue and repair of devices; enters and tracks prosthetic requests for stock and specially ordered equipment and parts. The incumbent conducts market research and obtains quotes/pricing to ensure financial stewardship. Participates in industry education and training opportunities to stay abreast of new technologies and changes in products. The incumbent is a subject matter expert on vehicle lifts for wheelchairs and assists in determining the most appropriate lift based on the medical equipment, type of vehicle and limitations of the Veteran; makes use of other subject matter experts in the files or via internet for additional guidance. As requested, the incumbent reviews incoming referrals for wheelchair fitting, repair, or adjustment and ensures timely scheduling; documents workload and all interactions with Veterans per VA and facility policy. B. Customer Service (20%); The incumbent communicates with Veterans and staff on all information relative to wheelchairs, including delivery or repair, to ensure that there is a cooperative, comprehensive, and Veteran-centered approach to patient care. The incumbent operates a "roll-in" clinic with regularly scheduled hours of service to improve the availability of same-day services to Veterans requiring the use of wheelchairs. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 08:00am - 04:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Medical Equipment Worker/PD220210 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/06/2023. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Trouble shooting Ability To Provide Production Support Service Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Work assignments involve reaching overhead, stooping, bending, and frequently working in cramped and awkward positions for prolonged periods, as well as pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift. The incumbent will continually lift from 10-40 pounds, requesting assistance from other staff for rare heavier items. Incumbent utilizes mechanical lifts to maintain safety in the work environment.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Trudy Wachala
• Phone: 4106057000 X51841
• Email: [email protected]