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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT that will remain open until all of the positions are filled but no later than October 25, 2024. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be October 4, 2024 with subsequent cut-off dates on the Friday of each subsequent week.

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

The Health Technician - Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician fabricates, modifies and repairs a wide range of custom prosthetic-orthotic devices including set up and test of myoelectric prostheses, and microprocessor knees, and other advanced technologies under the supervision of a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist.

Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Fabricates custom prosthetic and orthotic appliances including but not limited to plaster modification and preparation of positive models, blister and drape forming plastic materials, lamination using acrylic resins and carbon fiber materials, cutting, trimming and smoothing definitive products in preparation of fitting onto patients.
• Fabricates, adjusts and repairs all custom prosthetic and orthotic appliances including but not limited to bench alignment procedures, proper ankle and knee component placement, bending metal materials for proper orthotic joint function and shaping and finishing prostheses.
• Chooses materials that are appropriate for patient diagnosis.
• Enters appropriate prosthetic requests for purchase of components selected based on the medical prescription (Rx) for the prosthetic limb or custom orthoses to be fabricated.
• Performs appropriate documentation of workload, procedure coding as part of materials management.
• Maintains lab equipment with respect to maintenance and cleanliness.
• Maintains inventory of fabrication supplies levels, not to exceed thirty days and the requisitioning of supplies and materials as related to scope of practice.
• Follows established regulations and procedures to ensure patient privacy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for this position:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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.

-AND-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal service and that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position (Health Technician - Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician). This experience must have required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled (i.e., fabricating, adjusting and repairing all custom prosthetic and orthotic appliances including bench alignment procedures and proper ankle and knee component placement, bending metal materials for proper orthotic joint function, and shaping and finishing prostheses; entering appropriate prosthetic requests for purchase of components selected based on prescription for the prosthetic limb or custom orthoses to be fabricated; reviewing physical assessment data provided by a practitioner to determine technical requirements for the orthosis/prosthesis; maintaining lab equipment and inventory of fabrication supplies). NOTE: Resume must clearly demonstrate this experience to be creditable. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: One and one-half years (27 semester hours) of graduate level education that is directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled may be used to qualify for this position (Health Technician - Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician). This education must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. (Copy of transcripts are required at time of application.)

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-8 level. (Resume must clearly demonstrate the experience to be creditable and transcripts are required at the time of application.)

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: This position requires an eligible American Board for Certification (ABC) as a Certified Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician, Certified Orthotic Technician and/or Certified Prosthetic Technician. If selected for the position, the applicant must have an ABC certification OR you must obtain an ABC certification.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Applies Technology to Tasks
• Mechanical
• Quality Assurance

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.