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Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NOTE: This announcement has been extended to close on July 1, 2025. Applicant(s) who previously applied, do not need to re-apply.

This position is located within the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service at the VA Medical Center located in Tucson, Arizona.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/16/2025 to 07/01/2025
Salary
$41,097 to - $66,184 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Tucson, AZ
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
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CARZ-12748721-25-AAK
Control number
838837400

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Duties

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

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the GS-05 and GS-06 grade levels, 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-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Duties include but may not be limited:

  • Receives consults for prosthetic and orthotic devices.
  • Provides instruction to patient on correct use and care of prosthetic and orthotic appliances.
  • Responds to inquiries regarding proper procedures for obtaining medical assistance and information.
  • Creates progress notes in a computerized patient record system ensuring correct information, such as service rendered, diagnosis, medical codes (CPT), etc.
  • Provides information of prefabricated appliances such as lumbar supports, prosthetic socks, elbow/ankle supports, knee braces, neck collars, etc.
  • Performs repairs, fabrications, fittings and dispensing of orthotic appliances.
  • Utilizes drill press, grinder, sander and install rivets when repairing/fabricating of devices.
  • Conducts follow up treatment plan for proper usage, function and patient satisfaction.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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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. 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)

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-05

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician - Orthotic. 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. Additional Specialized Experience includes assisting medical staff in various patient care procedures such as making repairing and adjusting orthopedic devices; completing routine fittings; obtaining patient medical histories, etc.; scheduling patient appointments; and maintaining clinic supplies and stock items. NOTE: Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate the required experience. We will not make assumptions.
-OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the Health Technician - Orthotics position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as listed above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-06

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician - Orthotic. 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. Additional Specialized Experience includes assisting medical staff in various patient care procedures such as making repairing of orthotics and adjusting orthopedic devices; completing fittings; obtaining patient medical histories, etc.; scheduling patient appointments; maintaining clinic supplies and stock items; applying orthopedic supports, splinting, etc.; knowledge of basic hand and machine tools for measuring and cutting. NOTE: Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate the required experience. We will not make assumptions.
-OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours or equivalent) with a major that included courses directly related to the work of this position. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-07

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician - Orthotic. 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. Additional Specialized Experience includes applying orthopedic supports, splinting and treatment of wounds, or other treatments related to injury of the human musculoskeletal system; utilizing hand tools and machine tools including measurement and cutting instruments, drills, grinders and sanders; making entries to patient chart to record provision of orthotic devices to patient; assists in the education of patient in use of device; and records stock issue and assists in maintaining appropriate stock level of items in inventory. NOTE: 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. (Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate the required experience. We will not make assumptions.)
-OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of one (1) full year of graduate level education (or 18 semester hours) that is directly related to the work of the position to be filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combination of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total experience requirements to qualify at this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

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

  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Manages Resources
  • Medical Information
  • Quality Assurance
  • Technical Competence


IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Education

Physical Requirements: This position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity; long periods of standing and long-distance walking may be required.

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/.

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

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

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).

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.

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