Health Technician (Pedorthist)

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 ABCs 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.
Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment.
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 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 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 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
1. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
2 Must be proficient in spoken Spanish

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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.