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The Health Technician supports the clinical and administrative functions of the Minneapolis VA HCS Prosthetics Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) by, under supervision, constructing simple orthotic and prosthetics devices and fitting over the counter orthotic soft goods, as deemed appropriate and prescribed by VA and medical facility policies, procedures and treatment plans. ***Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidate*** To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) In order to meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for this occupation, candidates must have: Specialized Experience: 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. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), candidates must meet the following grade requirements You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-06: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized Experience refers to, but is not limited to the following: Provide instruction to patients on appropriate use and safety of medical devices; Skill to interpret diagnosis for treatment plans including disease progression; Understanding of orthometry forms for construction of Orthotic and Prosthetic devices; Able to perform minor adjustments to orthotic devises/shoes; Utilization of computer software to update/review medical records or schedule patient appointments (This experience must be well documented in your resume or application package). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of 6 months of graduate education (9 semester hours) directly related to the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. See below regarding combination. GS-07: 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. Specialized Experience refers to, but is not limited to the following: Extensive knowledge of common tools, measuring devices, machines and raw materials; Proven skill in applying orthotic devices/shoes, fabricating orthotic devices and performing modifications to orthotic devices/shoes to ensure proper fit and function; Understanding of follow up treatment plans for proper usage, function and patient satisfaction; Effective communication skills both written and orally to work with patients and staff; Utilization of computer software related to patient processing in prosthetics (This experience must be well documented in your resume or application package). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) directly related to the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Combining education and specialized experience: To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Analysis and Problem Solving Attention to Detail Customer Service Requirements Analysis 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. 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. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: 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. Repairs leather, metal, plastic and fabric components to items such as orthotic soft goods, shoes, and shoe inserts. 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. Fabrication includes but is not limited to: Limited plaster modifications to upper and lower extremity orthotic and prosthetic devices under supervision of Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist. Blister or drape forming materials under vacuum over positive models and trimming and smoothing devices for fitting. Fabrication of custom foot orthotics using Amfit blanks and carver. The incumbent adheres to specifications, conformance to models and tracings provided by the certified practitioner requesting the service. Installs valves, locking mechanisms and assembles transtibial and transfemoral sockets with bench alignment to an endoskeletal pylon system per manufacturer recommendations in preparation for dynamic alignment. Follows instructions on the orthometry form and cast or tracing provided by the clinician to create AFOs and KAFOs; verifies correct size metal is used based on the pt's weight and alignment provided on the orthometry form, bends/ contours metal stirrups and uprights, rivets through the midsole, attaches the bars to the ankle joint and attaches the calf band. Fits and dispenses non-custom orthotic soft goods. Assists with the repair, engineering, fitting and dispensing of orthotic appliances. In order to accomplish these tasks, the following is required: Interprets consults as submitted by VA clinicians, ensures the legal requirements governing eligibility and entitlement to prosthetic and orthotic devices are met. Contacts provider with any questions regarding requested item. Performs patient screenings relative to the prosthetics program. Provides appropriate non-custom orthotic appliance and instructs patients on correct use and care. The incumbent will document all clinical information in the electronic medical record (CPRS). Applies prefabricated orthopedic devices such as but not limited to, lumbo-sacral supports, abdominal binders, cervical collars, wrist splints, arm slings, knee braces, knee sleeves, compression hose, ankle supports, trusses, non-custom in- depth shoes, over-the-counter foot orthotics with limited supervision. Incumbent will take measurements of body and limb segments to appropriately select, size, and fit device to the patient. Provides the patient the opportunity to select an outside (non-VA) contract provider should the patient choose to. Has an understanding of the overall internal and external provision of care processes. Answers telephone inquiries directed toward the Service and responds appropriately. Assists in the managing of orthotic and prosthetic inventory within the Department, including chemical inventory. This can include conducting routine physical inventory counts, updating inventory and keeping excess inventory to a minimum. Ensures inventory locations are kept clean and organized. The incumbent may also be required to unpack shipments, check packing slips against orders and contents of the shipment and assemble the necessary documentation for orthotic and prosthetic items needing to be reordered. Requests patient specific items through the Remote Order Entry System (ROES). This requires an understanding of the contracts and contracted items available through the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center (DALC). Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Prosthetics - Incentive ***Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidate***"]

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