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Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Summary

The primary purpose of the Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter is to support the clinical and administrative functions of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aid Service (PSAS) by constructing simple orthotic and prosthetics devices and fitting over the counter orthotic soft goods, as deemed appropriate and prescribed by VA and medical facility policies, procedures and treatment plans.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/17/2026 to 04/23/2026
Salary
$49,505 - $71,517 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Minneapolis, MN
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
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
Yes - AFGE 1272
Announcement number
CBSY-12940980-26-TRC
Control number
865733000

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.

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Duties

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This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-7. At the GS-6 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Constructs/shapes and repairs common orthotic/prosthetic devices from casts and/or documents provided by clinician, such as repairs to custom foot orthoses and shoes, using a wide variety of materials.
  • Under the direction of a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, constructs/shapes molded and custom-made orthoses/prostheses including but not limited to upper, lower limb, including shoe modifications, and spinal orthoses.
  • Fits and dispenses non-custom orthotic soft goods. Assists with the repair, engineering, fitting and dispensing of orthotic appliances.
  • Answers telephone inquiries directed toward the Service and responds appropriately.
  • Assists in the managing of orthotic and prosthetic inventory within the Department, including chemical inventory.
  • Requests patient specific items through the Remote Order Entry System (ROES).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter/PD23357A and PD23356A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.


The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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, 04/23/2026.

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.

Individual Occupational Requirement for 0640 Series: 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 - Health Technician.

GS-06 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the Health Technician in Prosthetics & Sensory Aid Service, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Specialized experience includes assisting in the fitting and dispensing of non-custom orthotic soft goods, therapeutic footwear, and prefabricated orthoses under supervision; performing basic patient screenings; documenting clinical or administrative information in medical or electronic records; preparing fabrication materials and/or making limited adjustments under guidance; maintaining inventory; and providing general administrative support such as answering phones, scheduling, or processing supply transactions.
NOTE: 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.

GS-07 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the Health Technician in Prosthetics & Sensory Aid Service, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Specialized experience includes independently fitting, sizing, and dispensing non-custom orthotic soft goods, therapeutic footwear, and foot orthoses; interpreting consults or work orders from clinicians; performing patient evaluations, taking accurate anatomical measurements, documenting clinical findings and device fitting information; constructing, repairing, or modifying orthotic/prosthetic devices using hand tools and fabrication methods; monitoring and managing orthotic and prosthetic inventory; and educating patients on the proper usage, adjustment, and care of devices.
NOTE: 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.
~OR~
Education: Successfully completed one year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours or equivalent) in a field directly related to the work of the Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter) position. Qualifying fields of study include, but are not limited to, orthotics, prosthetics, kinesiology, biomechanics, rehabilitation science, biomedical engineering, or health sciences. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).
~OR~
Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

Preferred Experience: Experience in outpatient and/or inpatient settings as a orthotic fitter or therapeutic shoe fitter. Completion of precertification education course for the certification of Certified Fitter-orthotics or Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes. American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) or Board of Certification (BoC) certification as a Certified Fitter-orthotics or Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes (CFo/COF or CFts).

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: The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity, long periods of standing and long-distance walking from clinic to clinic may be required. Other physical demands will include but not limited to; bending, kneeling, some lifting (not to exceed 50 lbs.) and work with some power tools.

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Work Environment: Office setting with an area to fit measure and repair prosthetic and sensory aid appliances as well as a laboratory setting with equipment to modify, fabricate and repair orthotic and prosthetic devices. Wards, nursing homes and clinics may also be visited. Occasional travel may be required to assess patients. PPE may be required for patient assessment and Laboratory work.

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

GS-06: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience for this grade level.

GS-07: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education for this grade level.

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:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System serves more than 100,000 Veterans across 15 locations. The Minneapolis VA Medical Center, a Level 1A Complexity Facility located adjacent to Minnehaha Regional Park, provides comprehensive tertiary care spanning medicine, surgery, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. The system includes the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Minnesota (Albert Lea, Ely, Hibbing, Mankato, Maplewood, Ramsey, Rochester, Shakopee, and St. James) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Hayward, Rice Lake, and Superior).

The Minneapolis VA is an academic medical center and teaching hospital equipped with advanced technology, four major research centers, and multiple Regional and National Specialty Care Centers.

For additional information about services and programs, visit VA Minneapolis Health Care - Veterans Affairs.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Agency contact information

Tracy Casady
Phone
402-995-4028
Email
Tracy.Casady@va.gov
Address
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
US

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