Health Technician

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2024.

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.

In addition to the language proficiency requirement state above, the following experience and/or education is required:

GS-7 EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience that is equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience: Technician experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled (Health Technician - Prosthetics/Orthotics). Examples of specialized experience include designing, repairing, fabricating, fitting and/or dispensing orthotic and/or prosthetic devices; making entries in patient charts to record provision of orthotic and/or prosthetic devices to patient and assisting in the education of patient in use of device; and maintaining appropriate stock level of necessary medical items.

NOTE: This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit.

OR

GS-7 EDUCATION: Successful completion of one year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent) that included courses directly related to the work of the position (Prosthetics/Orthotics). Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

GS-7 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience as described above for the GS-7 level to qualify for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ABC/BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter (CFo, or COF)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Customer Service
• Technical Competence
• Technical Credibility
• Textiles

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 walking between work area, fitting rooms, stock room, waiting areas and within the O&P Lab work area. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to fit device to the Veteran. Manual dexterity in the procedures of measuring and fitting is necessary and using small tools, such as orthotic scissors, sander, heat gun, etc .. There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects weighing 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally in excess of 40 pounds.

Work Environment: The work is performed in a well-lit, HVAC and ventilated areas. The areas include fitting rooms, machine/fabrication areas and administration offices. The Lab has hand tools and machines, which may expose the incumbent to dust and noise. The incumbent may assist with cleaning or storing hand tools or machinery and will ensure that all machine safeguards are in place and properly stored. Incumbent will ensure that gloves, hearing protection and proper dust masks are used.

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/.