Health Technician - Restoration

TO QUALIFY FOR TH POSITION AT THE GS-8:
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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.
and
This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: "Having an ABC or BOC certification as a Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician, maintain required continuing education and certification? (Two fitter certifying organization: The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABCOP) and the Board for Orthotic Certification, International (BOC), Each has defined pre-certification education, pre-certification experience, and continuing education requirements)".

and
Specialized Experience GS-8: Having at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes having knowledge of Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Regulations and Policies, Orthotics and Prosthetics Business Practice Guidelines and Prosthetic and Sensory Aides Business Practice guidelines: Knowledge of the following computer software programs, which are required for processing Orthotic and Prosthetic clinical consults and Prosthetics administrative requests: understanding of a body of standardized orthotic/prosthetic patient care and specialized skill sufficient to perform all levels of Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P) device fabrication; having a sound awareness of Healthcare Common Procedures Coding System (HCPCS) coding, anatomy and physiology; and a thorough comprehension of standard medical terminology for the human body; ability to review physical assessment data provided by practitioner to determine technical requirements for the orthosis/prosthesis (e.g., height, weight, activity level, diagnoses, amputation level, measurements, prior orthosis/prosthesis usage); and capable of consulting with practitioner(s) about patient's condition/diagnosis, and reviewing of patient's prescription/referral. (This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable.)
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed one and one-half (1 ½) years of graduate education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position? This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One (1) year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, eighteen (18) semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a one (1) year of full-time study at the school attended. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must have the equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total experience requirements to qualify at the GS-8 level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Applies Technology to Tasks
• Mechanical
• Quality Assurance

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Physical Requirements: The Health Technician Restoration position duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Duties require regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, reaching, carrying supplies and similar activities. Duties require working with machinery including grinders, ovens, drill presses, and other machinery necessary to fabricate custom limbs and braces.
Duties require the Health Technician to be able to lift. Occasionally it may be necessary to lift supplies and objects weighing as much as fifty (50lbs) pounds. Requires use of proper body mechanics. The Health Technician must be able to work in stressful situations. S/he must be able to maintain tight deadlines to get Veterans equipment in a fast, efficient manner.


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/.