Health Technician - Orthotic Fitter

About the role

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 prosthetic devices and fitting over the counter orthotic soft goods - as deemed appropriate and prescribed by VA and medical facility policies - procedures and treatment plans.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Affords assistance 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)
• Works in a laboratory setting with equipment to modify - fabricate and repair orthotic and prosthetic devices
• Performs general administrative support such as answering phones - scheduling - or processing supply transactions

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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).
• 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).

Skills

• Knowledge of orthotic and prosthetic devices and their construction
• Ability to interpret consults or work orders from clinicians
• Ability to document clinical findings and device fitting information
• Ability to maintain inventory and manage orthotic and prosthetic devices
• Ability to educate patients on the proper usage - adjustment - and care of devices

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

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.

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.