Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous job posting and will remain active until all positions are filled. Due to a staffing shortage for FY2026, qualified applicants may be reviewed and referred on an ongoing basis. Veterans' preference is waived for this recruitment. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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As a key member of our interdisciplinary team, you will independently assess Veteran patients with complex needs to formulate and implement pedorthic treatment plans. You will specialize in fitting orthotic devices-including shoes and bracing-while ensuring high-quality patient outcomes and improving compliance in our Orthotic Laboratory.

Primary duties, but not limited too:

• Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the pedorthic treatment plan.
• Provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, and interrelated conditions.
• Assess patients for indications/contraindications.
• Discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of the plan.
• Analyzes the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications.
• Takes scans and measurements for advanced devices, prepares and modifies casts for advanced devices, repairs and fabricates advanced devices and provides patient/caregiver education for advanced devices.
• Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications.
• Privileges (Individual Scope of Practice) other credentialled clinicians to provide pedorthic care based on ABC privileging requirements.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41449F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Health Technician (Pedorthist) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Credential / Certification-Documentation Submitted.
  • Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC).
  • or,
  • Credentialed in pedorthics by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC).

Applicants may qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and credentialing/certification, where applicable. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a credentialing only at higher grade levels must meet the credentialing requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtains credentialing/certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

Health Technician (Pedorthist) GS-7
Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which includes the following:

• Skill in developing a follow up treatment plan for complex pedorthic device types.
• Ability to process paperwork for pedorthic devices being produced and fitted by vendor.
• Ability to place administrative orders with procurement staff for treatment modalities.
• Ability to assess device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription.
• Ability to process consults/orders.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

• Skill in designing advanced pedorthic devices.
• Skill in assessing device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription.
• Skill in written communication.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Skill in fabrication of all pedorthic device types.
• Skill in designing innovative pedorthic devices to include new and emerging technology.

Preferred Experience: Experience as a Pedorthist, Orthotic Fitter, or Mastectomy Fitter is highly desired.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS07.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent performs work in an office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts. The incumbent may visit clinics, units, stock rooms, warehouse areas and vendor's shops. The work is performed in a medical center with the possibility of encountering ill or diseased patients. The incumbent may handle equipment returned from patients with contagious diseases. Normal safety precautions are required. Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, and lifting, is required in the performance of assigned duties. Incumbent will be required to lift items weighing up to 50lbs.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; 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.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.