Health Technician (Pedorthist)

Basic Requirements:
CITIZENSHIP: Must be a United States Citizen.
ENGLISH: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
CREDENTIAL:
(1) Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC).
OR
(2) Credentialed in pedorthics by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC).
OR
(3) Exception for Non-Credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist).
(a) Non-credentialed individuals who have successfully completed a Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP), Commission on Accreditation of Pedorthic Education (CAPE), National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or American Board for Certification of Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) approved pedorthic certificate program (see Pedorthist Programs) and otherwise meet ABC's eligibility requirements for certification (see Pedorthist Candidate Guide) may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Health Aid (Pedorthist) under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).
(b) Non-credentialed individuals shall only provide care under the clinical oversight of a credentialed pedorthist, orthotist, or orthotist/prosthetist at or above the full performance level.
(c) Non-credentialed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
(d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-7 LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GS-7 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE: Must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. Experience at this level includes but is not limited to: Independently takes scans and measurements; prepares and modifies casts and repairs and fabricates complex devices in accordance with the input of the individual providing clinical oversight. Provides complex devices and delivers patient/caregiver education for them. Assesses simple and complex devices for quality including structural soundness, compliance with the prescription, fit, and patient comfort. Assists with advanced device types to include quality assurance assessment. Assists with development of a follow up treatment plan for atypical conditions. Assists with administrative activities including, but not limited to, assigning Healthcare Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding of pedorthic devices to facilitate procurement, preparing documentation being sent to vendors, participating in interdisciplinary teams, processing consults and generating administrative orders for procurement of pedorthic devices.
AND
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: You also must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in designing advanced pedorthic devices.
(b) Skill in assessing device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription.
(c) Skill in written communication.
(d) Skill in oral communication.
(e) Skill in fabrication of all pedorthic device types.
(f) Skill in designing innovative pedorthic devices to include new and emerging technology.

References: 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/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7.

Physical Requirements: Work requires movement throughout the Hospital, to include standing, bending, sitting, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds. There exist prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Normal safety precautions are utilized as appropriate for office, hospital, and warehouse settings. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times, the employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (i.e., mask and gown) when visiting work areas with other environmental exposures including wheelchair repair area or Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory. Patient transfer, frequent bending and lifting is required.