Health Technician (Pedorthist)

Veterans Health Administration; San Juan (PR); On-site; USD 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Health Technician (Pedorthist) to fit orthotic devices for veterans in the Orthotic Laboratory within the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Department. The incumbent will provide direct patient care to adults with specialized needs, under credentialing oversight, in Ponce and Mayaguez clinics and a Medical Center.

Qualifications emphasize board certification in pedorthics (ABC/BOC) or temporary non-credentialed pathways with ongoing certification efforts.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by ABC or credentialed by BOC, or approved temporary credential.
• Non-credentialed individuals may be appointed at entry level and must obtain certification.
• Selective Placement Factor: Proficiency in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Fit orthotic devices to Veteran patients in the Orthotic Laboratory.
• Provide patient care, services and support to adult veterans with specialized needs.
• Comply with credentialing requirements and timelines for certification.

Skills

Patient assessments

Device fitting

Communication

HCPCS coding knowledge

Education

ABC/BOC pedorthics credential

Job description

This is a non-supervisory Health Technician (Pedorthist) position in the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Department. This system includes a Medical Center, outpatient clinic Ponce and Mayaguez. The incumbent will provide patient care, services and support to an adult veteran population with specialized needs. The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to Veteran patients in need in our Orthotic Laboratory Section with device fittings. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Credential. Candidates must possess one of the below credentials.
  • Candidates must be board certified in pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). OR ,
  • Credentialed in pedorthics by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC).-Documentation Submitted. OR ,
  • Exception for Non-Credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist).
    • 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).
    • 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.
    • Non-credentialed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
    • Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Health Aid (Pedorthist) may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Failure to Obtain Certification.

In all cases, Health Aid (Pedorthist) must actively pursue meeting requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Health Aid (Pedorthist) with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline.

Loss of Credential.

Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees, who fail to maintain the required certification, of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation, which may also result in separation from employment.

Grandfathering Provision

Employees in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and credentialing/certification, where applicable.

Grade Determinations

All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment.

GS-4 Experience

Six months of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities associated with pedorthic practice equivalent to the next lower grade. s. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of patient related psychology, for example age-related competency, patient, and caregiver stressors. (b) Knowledge of foundational sciences related to development of pedorthic treatment, for example anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology. (c) Knowledge of materials science commonly used in fabrication, for example adhesives, plastics, composites, metals, and leather. (d) Knowledge of regulations and procedures to ensure patient privacy. (e) Ability to assign Healthcare Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding to pedorthic devices.

GS-5 Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in conducting patient assessments. (b) Skill in developing simple pedorthic devices (includes assessment, measurement, selection, and fitting). (c) Ability to consult with providers and allied health colleagues regarding treatment. (d) Ability to assess device to ensure structural soundness and compliance with prescription and fit.

GS-6 Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in developing a follow up treatment plan for complex pedorthic device types. (b) Ability to process paperwork for pedorthic devices being produced and fitted by vendor. (c) Ability to place administrative orders with procurement staff for treatment modalities. (d) Ability to assess device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription. (e) Ability to process consults/orders.

GS-7 Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-06). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Skill in designing advanced pedorthic devices.
• Skill in assessing device types for structural soundness and meeting the specifications of the prescription.
• Skill in written communication.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Skill in fabrication of all pedorthic device types.
• Skill in designing innovative pedorthic devices to include new and emerging technology.

Selective Placement Factor

• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Must be proficient in spoken Spanish

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7.

Physical Requirements

Physical Stamina to manage physical job tasks, such as approaching around the patient and standing for long periods. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.