Summary

The Health Technician (Pedorthist) serves as part of the Prosthetics Service Line at Minneapolis VA Medical Center - located in Minneapolis - MN. The work represents independent assessment of patients with all levels of disease and disability - formulation of a treatment plan - implementation of the treatment plan - follow up of the treatment to validate outcomes and refine the treatment plan to improve patient compliance and satisfaction.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 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) Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• English Language Proficiency
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Health Technician (Pedorthist) - GS-04 Experience
• Six months of experience demonstrating knowledge - skills and abilities associated with pedorthic practice equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Pedorthist) trainee developmental position - in accordance with clear and well-established procedures and work under the clinical oversight and direction of a credentialed pedorthist - orthotist - or CPO
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) attends clinic to observe and articulate understanding of terms and diagnoses encountered
• They observe and assist in the evaluation of the prescription - the assessment of the patient - preparation - and modification of casts for simple device types - repairs - and fabrication of simple devices in accordance with the input of the supervising clinician
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) - GS-05 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Assignment
• Assignments at this grade level represent a developmental level where the individual continues developing the broader knowledge - skills - and abilities to prepare for the next developmental level
• Clinical oversight is more general in nature for assignments for which the individual has demonstrated competency
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) consults with supervisor or the individual providing clinical oversight for guidance not covered by instructions
• They conduct patient assessments - take scans - and measurements for simple devices - prepare - and modify casts for simple devices
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) - GS-06 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Assignment
• Assignments at this grade level represent a developmental level where the individual continues developing broader knowledge - skills - and abilities to prepare for the full performance level
• Clinical oversight is more general in nature for assignments - for which the individual has demonstrated competency
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) at this level possess a broad working knowledge of simple and complex device types
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) 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
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) - GS-07 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate 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
• Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level Health Technician (Pedorthist)
• The work represents independent assessment of patients with all levels of disease and disability - formulation of a treatment plan - implementation of the treatment plan - follow up of the treatment to validate outcomes and refine the treatment plan to improve patient compliance and satisfaction
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions and interrelated conditions
• They assess patients for indications/contra-indications
• They analyze the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications
• 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. All qualifying experience and certifications that you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: The Health Technician (Pedorthist) communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the pedorthic treatment plan
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions and interrelated conditions
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) assesses patients for indications/contraindications
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of the plan
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) analyzes the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) takes scans and measurements for advanced devices - prepares and modifies casts for advanced devices - repairs and fabricates advanced devices and provides patient/caregiver education for advanced devices
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) recognizes physical abnormalities - deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications
• The Health Technician (Pedorthist) privileges (Individual Scope of Practice) other credentialed clinicians to provide pedorthic care based on ABC privileging requirements
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized