The Orthopedic Technician position is within the Prosthetic Treatment Center, Orthotic & Prosthetic (O&P) Services at the VA Medical Center located in Hampton, VA.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include but are not limited to: Completes Certified Fitter course and obtains/maintains certification; 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 immobilizers 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; Takes measurements, fits and applies orthotic devices; Instructs Veteran on appropriate use and safety of device and the care and maintenance of device; Inspects orthotic devices for defects and validates manufacturer safety labeling prior to dispense, ensures fit and function of device and instructs on how to obtain repair and/or replacement, when required; 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.); Receives and analyzes electronic Prosthetic consults (prescriptions) generated through the computer system 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; Examines clinical health records to validate eligibility and entitlement for orthotic devices; Uses office equipment such as computers, facsimile machines, scanners, printers, copiers, calculators and telephone in order to complete work and perform patient care; Conducts product and technology research regarding orthotic devices and associated services from local and national sources; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Requirements

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency Requirement: 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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ In addition to the English Language Proficiency, to qualify for this position at the GS-5 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Orthopedic Technician, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. 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. Specialized experience includes measuring, fitting, and adjusting/modifying orthotic devices; reading, understanding and interpreting prescriptions as they pertain to orthotics; understanding medical terminology and human anatomy; using small hand tools such as a grinder, sander and heat gun to make minor adjustments to non-custom orthotic devices; communicating with all levels of staff, patients and their families; and utilizing computer equipment with a wide variety of software. ~OR~ Education: Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position. Copies of transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only 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. Copies of transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Medical InformationTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. 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 work on devices and appliances and to fit them to the patient. 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 person in this position 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

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]