Health Technician (Pedorthist)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
a. 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).
b. 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.

c. 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. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
h. 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
(1) Experience. Six months of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities associated with pedorthic practice equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) 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.

Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-05
(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) 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.

Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-06
(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) 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.

Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-07
(1)Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) 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.

Preferred Experience: The preferred candidate is an ABC Certified Pedorthist with previous experience working in an outpatient clinical setting.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-77, Health Technician (Pedorthist)Qualification Standard, GS-0640.
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.