Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)

Major duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Orthotics and therapeutic shoe fitters (Fitters) work in the Orthotics and Prosthetics laboratory of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aides service at any one of the VAMC in VISN 20. Fitters work under the general direction of the Certified Orthotist or Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at their facility. The main purpose of these Fitters is to fit and apply orthotic devices and depth inlay shoes.
• He/she instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device. The incumbent greets measures fits dispenses and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances. The devices provided include but are not limited to: braces for upper and lower extremities spinal orthoses soft goods diabetic shoes over the counter (OTC) ankle/ knee immobilizers supports and corsets. He/ she will also measure and fit non-custom and custom hosiery.
• Incumbents may prepare casting for shoes and custom shoe inserts using foam impression techniques for eventual fabrication by Certified orthotist or Certified orthotist prosthetists. NOTE: Fabrication principles and the manufacturing of custom orthotic devices is reserved for Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists.
• Incumbents will perform simple orthotic repairs such as repairs to cuffs suspension straps shoes using a wide variety of materials including leather metal plastic and fabric components of various braces

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• A complete application package; Resume Transcripts etc

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement 03/05/2026

This position has a selective placement requirement: English 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 selective placement requirement applicants must also meet the below specialize experience.

GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists speech pathologists medical officers and optometrists. Therefore technician experience is experience that requires application of the knowledge methods and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device; Measure fit dispense and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances; Perform simple orthotic repairs such as repairs to cuffs suspension straps shoes using a wide variety of materials including leather metal plastic and fabric components of various braces; annotate patient medical records to computerized patient records system regarding services or treatments provided and inputs data into an electronic database system for accurate reporting of National Prosthetic Patient Data recording all work performed including material cost or labor.

Preferred Experiences:
- Already holds a credential as a Certified Orthotic Fitter or therapeutic shoe fitter
- Has prior experience as an athletic trainer applying athletic tape to stabilize injuries or provide over the counter Orthotic devices independently
- Has strong knowledge of anatomy physiology kinesiology and tissue characteristics to appropriately apply orthotic devices
- Has experience working with plastics bending metal and using machinery to grind sand and sew
- Has had coursework or training on the job in orthotics or prosthetics
- Has experience as an orthopedic cast technician applying casts to people with acute injury in an assisting capacity
- Ability to identify anatomical landmarks using medical terminology
- Has an ability to read understand and explain fitting procedures to others
- Knowledge of HIPPA and OSHA guidelines and how to access web sites to locate guidelines
- Knowledge of various orthotic devices and their use
- Has experience fitting over the counter orthotics or applying casts on persons with acute injuries
- Understands medical terminology and can identify anatomical landmarks using laymen terms
possesses strong customer service skills
- Ability to read directions follow instructions
- Acknowledge of various orthoses to be able to select them from inventory

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title duties month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level

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.