Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)

About the role

This position is located at the (1) Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami, FL. and (1) William "Bill" Kling Outpatient Clinic in Sunrise, FL in the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services. The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to patients in need in our Orthotic Lab section, with a specialization in bracing and device fittings. The selectee reports to the Orthotic Lab Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Measures, design, fabricate, fitting, alteration and repairs of such orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports that are prescribed for veterans.
• Design and fabricate devices when there are no standard guidelines.
• Instructs resident physicians and other medical staff in the prescription and application of various orthoses.
• Serves as a technical advisor to physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists and other staff members in the use and application of appliances.
• Custom designs and manufacture devices to make custom shoe modifications as needed to ensure proper compliance of application of prescription.
• Issue detailed instructions on assignments that are of a nonstandard nature.
• Assures the proper fit and functions of all prescribed appliances, and work of other prosthetic/orthotic lab staff must be of the highest quality.
• Requests and maintain an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices to meet anticipated needs of patients.
• Responds with minimum delay to prescriptions from physicians and requests for replacements from veterans.
• Maintain proper stock levels, not to exceed thirty days, and the requisitioning of supplies and materials.

Requirements

• Orthotic Fitter Certificate holder preferred
• Ability to read and analyze prescriptions/consults from physicians, therapists, and patient representatives
• Experience assisting physicians and nurses by performing clinical, diagnostic, and administrative duties to support direct patient care
• Knowledge of medical terms used to describe and prescribe prosthetic and Orthotic items
• Have hands on experience fitting OTC orthopedic items, ie: wrist splints, ankle supports, neck collars, back supports, shoes, compression garments, etc.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2026.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6.
• This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR).
• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Measuring, designing, fabricating, fitting, altering and repairing orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports; instructing physicians and other medical staff in the prescription and application of various orthoses; requesting and maintaining an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices to meet anticipated needs of patients.
• 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.