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Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VISN 10 Consolidated Prosthetics

Summary

This position is aligned under Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, at the Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland OH. The incumbent works under the Supervisory Prosthetist-Orthotist, Orthotic Prosthetic and Pedorthotic Clinical Services. The primary purpose of the position is to perform technical work in the Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Clinical Service - and assist in the design, fabrication, repair, modification and fitting of orthotic, prosthetic, and durable medical devices as prescribed.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2026 to 01/26/2026
Salary
$52,688 to - $68,496 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Cleveland, OH
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSR-12866610-26-EMC
Control number
854672600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. NOTE: There is two-page resume limitation. Please "How to Apply" for additional information.

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Duties

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This Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician) position provides clinical, admistrative, technical, and direct patient care support. In this capacity, the incumbent must be skillful and flexible in establishing goals and setting priorities due to the fluctuating needs of the clinical staff-based on the following areas:

  • Under the guidance of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist the incumbent will perform all duties involved with orthotics and prosthetic skills in the repairing, fabrication, fitting and modification of orthotic, prosthetic and durable medical devices for the treatment of patients;
  • Under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist will assist the professional staff in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans to include amputees, diabetics, upper motor neuro injury, spinal card injury, and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, and durable medical devices to take the place of, or assist, a part of or function of the body which is lost or impaired;
  • Will perform under the direction of Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting off the shelf and custom fit devices such as lumbosacral orthoses, cervical collars, compression hose, knee orthoses, abdominal binders, orthopedic shoes etc. Will assist the orthotic lab in fabricating components together;
  • Will perform under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of durable medical devices, such as manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, and the walkers;
  • Will be responsible for performing a broad range of work, which involves the choice of materials, fabrication, and fitting under the supervision of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist. Each device is constructed and fitted to meet the most rigid prescription requirement;
  • Will maintain stock of material and supplies for fabrication and off the shelf prosthetic and orthotic devices utilizing the prosthetics inventory package (PIP);
  • Will be responsible for maintaining their Orthotic lab work orders in the Prosthetics package in the DHCP/VISTA (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol/ Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture) or its equivalent. These work orders explain what needs to be done for the patient. The work orders need to be closed correctly to reflect time spent and materials used. This becomes a permanent part of the patients' Prosthetic record. This also affects the quarterly obligations report for headquarters;
  • Will be responsible for maintaining electronic progress notes on patients that he/she has treated with support from the orthotist and/or Prosthetist;
  • Will communicate and instruct patients in proper procedures for wearing and maintaining orthotic/prosthetic devices n order to achieve the maximum benefit. He/she will document any communication and instructions given to the patient using the electronic consult and progress note (i.e., CPRS package) utilized by this hospital. The incumbent will follow up to ensure the appliances fits and functions properly;
  • Will be responsible for all clean up assignments. This includes keeping the following organized, clean, and net: workbench, general work, and storage area;
  • Comply with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by supervisor. Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment, and;
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician)/PD94449-A

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • Your performance and conduct;
  • The needs and interests of the agency;
  • Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/26/2026.

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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience that includes the following: communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; maintain confidential of patient/employee information, electronic and print; experience using Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or it equivalent; knowledge of all safety issues required in machine operation of all potential health hazards involving the use of plastics and chemicals in the fabrication of orthotic fabrications; knowledge and use of all materials and methods of contemporary prosthetic/orthotic practice; experience taking measurements using the appropriate equipment that is usually found in a orthotic and prosthetic clinic; experience reading and understanding prescriptions and applying a thorough grasp of methods, techniques and the sequence followed in the development of orthotic appliances; knowledge of clinical and/or hospital routine, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education to meet the requirements for the GS-7 position in this occupational series as well.
    Please note: 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. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Transcripts Required to be submitted with your application if you are using your education to qualify.) OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond (please see above).
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/.

Physical Requirements: The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity. The work requires some physical exertion, some bending, stooping, and crouching to work on devices and fit them to the patient. Work involves some lifting and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment, up to 40 pounds. Work as a Clerk is sedentary. There exists prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. The Veteran patient is examined in a fitting room where he/she is measured and fitted with a prosthesis/orthosis. Toxic and caustic fumes and materials are handled in orthotic lab. Certain administrative duties and contributions will be conducted in the conference room setting.

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

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