The primary purpose of the position is to diagnose, provide preventive maintenance and repair wheelchair appliances, assistive devices, and self-aid devices which are medically prescribed to supports the VA patients' mobility and the Prosthetic Treatment Center.

Duties

Duties and Responsibilities : The incumbent is independently responsible for the testing, diagnosis, preventive maintenance, and repair of scooters, walkers/ambulatory devices, mobility devices and all wheelchairs both manual and power issued to the veterans by Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). Uses voltmeters, ohmmeters, field multi-meters, circuit testers and battery chargers according to interpretation in the technical orders, schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembled and non assembled micro-switches, multi-control switches to manufactures specifications. The incumbent energizes, adjusts and tests new manual/power wheelchairs, scooters and walkers before Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service issues it to the clinician. The incumbent will make adjustments to the various electronic controls used by the head, chin or hand to navigate the equipment. The incumbent also fabricates parts for special applications to manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers and adjusts the restrictive devices such as belts, straps and postural supports for maximum benefit to the patient of a motorized wheelchair or scooter; will adjust the brakes on a walker. Repairs, modifies, assembles and tests a variety of electrical parts for DC motors on a wide assortment of electrical wheelchairs. Included in this is the independent diagnosis and repair of electrical equipment that is contained on the electronic components. Checks and repairs gears and clutches when necessary, also replaces and repairs items such as brushes, seals, bearings, controls or armatures. Read blueprints, schematics and technical data concerning a wide variety of wheel chairs and related equipment. Determine extent of repairs needed using judgment in selecting methods and techniques in completing assignments utilizing a wide assortment of test equipment. Performs specific checks to measure resistance, voltage, capacity using a wide range of automatic test equipment (ATE) and other specialized test equipment, performing both the pretest and the final checkout of electrical equipment. Attend clinic team meetings in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service or Spinal Cord Injury Service to assist in developing appropriate wheelchair prescriptions by evaluating and making recommendations to physicians and therapists regarding wheelchair modifications that would assist the Spinal Cord Injured to move about as independently as possible. Maintain an inventory of all wheelchair parts, manual and electric in order to properly and timely repair the equipment for the veterans. Incumbent enters an electronic request into the Prosthetics Vista software package to order special parts not kept in inventory. While during the repair, the incumbent is responsible to determine whether the cost of the repair exceeds the cost of the equipment. If the repair is not feasible, the incumbent will recommend replacement of the equipment. Incumbent also determines when to condemn a wheelchair for safety issues. In either situation, incumbent will notify the appropriate Prosthetic Clerk to flag the chair as turned in on the veteran's prosthetic record as well as notifying the appropriate clinical staff that a replacement is required. Maintains records of repairs completed, documenting materials used, cost, labor and time. Utilizing knowledge of the Prosthetics Vista software package, Orthotic Work order Lab {OWL) collects and records necessary data which is posted to the veteran's prosthetic record within established time frames to accurately reflect all the services provided. Keep an inventory of any wheelchairs, scooters or walkers that are turned in and still in good working order for cost containment purposes. This "re-issuable" inventory is shared with the Prosthetic Clerks and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation staffs to ensure these items are re-issued. equipment that cannot be re-issued is cannibalized for any functional parts and disposed of following VA regulations. Sanitizes equipment before repairing it, by following the local Infection Control Policy. Equipment is cleaned in the wheelchair designated area. Incumbent is responsible for following the Joint Commission standards pertaining to maintenance and sanitation of Durable Medical Equipment. Incumbent is also responsible for following fire safety codes and also storing flammable substances in an appropriate storage unit. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-1600 or 0800-1630 Position Description Title/PD#: Medical Equipment Repairer/PD094180 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2024. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)Technical PracticesTroubleshootingUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout more than normal supervision 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: Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy Carrying, 45 pounds and over; Moderate Carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light Carrying, under 15 ; pounds; Straight pulling, (.05 hrs); Pulling hand over hand, (.05 hrs); Pushing, (.05 hrs); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Use of both hands; Walking (2 hrs); Standing (3 hrs); Crawling (.01 hrs); Kneeling (.03 hrs); Repeated bending, (.05 hrs); Climbing, legs only (.03 hrs); Climbing use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Specific visual requirement (have sight); Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]