Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician)

Full Job Description

This position is aligned under Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, at the Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland OH.

The incumbent works under the Supervisory Prosthetist-Orthotist, Orthotic Prosthetic and Pedorthotic Clinical Services.

The primary purpose of the position is to perform technical work in the Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Clinical Service - and assist in the design, fabrication, repair, modification and fitting of orthotic, prosthetic, and durable medical devices as prescribed.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/26/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) 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.

Specialized experience that includes the following: communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; maintain confidential of patient/employee information, electronic and print; experience using Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or it equivalent; knowledge of all safety issues required in machine operation of all potential health hazards involving the use of plastics and chemicals in the fabrication of orthotic fabrications; knowledge and use of all materials and methods of contemporary prosthetic/orthotic practice; experience taking measurements using the appropriate equipment that is usually found in a orthotic and prosthetic clinic; experience reading and understanding prescriptions and applying a thorough grasp of methods, techniques and the sequence followed in the development of orthotic appliances; knowledge of clinical and/or hospital routine, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education to meet the requirements for the GS-7 position in this occupational series as well.

Please note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study.

If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

(Transcripts Required to be submitted with your application if you are using your education to qualify.) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond (please see above).

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/.

Physical Requirements: The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity.

The work requires some physical exertion, some bending, stooping, and crouching to work on devices and fit them to the patient.

Work involves some lifting and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment, up to 40 pounds. Work as a Clerk is sedentary.

There exists prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. The Veteran patient is examined in a fitting room where he/she is measured and fitted with a prosthesis/orthosis.

Toxic and caustic fumes and materials are handled in orthotic lab. Certain administrative duties and contributions will be conducted in the conference room setting. Major Duties:

This Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician) position provides clinical, admistrative, technical, and direct patient care support.

In this capacity, the incumbent must be skillful and flexible in establishing goals and setting priorities due to the fluctuating needs of the clinical staff-based on the following areas: Under the guidance of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist the incumbent will perform all duties involved with orthotics and prosthetic skills in the repairing, fabrication, fitting and modification of orthotic, prosthetic and durable medical devices for the treatment of patients; Under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist will assist the professional staff in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans to include amputees, diabetics, upper motor neuro injury, spinal card injury, and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, and durable medical devices to take the place of, or assist, a part of or function of the body which is lost or impaired; Will perform under the direction of Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting off the shelf and custom fit devices such as lumbosacral orthoses, cervical collars, compression hose, knee orthoses, abdominal binders, orthopedic shoes etc.

Will assist the orthotic lab in fabricating components together; Will perform under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of durable medical devices, such as manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, and the walkers; Will be responsible for performing a broad range of work, which involves the choice of materials, fabrication, and fitting under the supervision of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist.

Each device is constructed and fitted to meet the most rigid prescription requirement; Will maintain stock of material and supplies for fabrication and off the shelf prosthetic and orthotic devices utilizing the prosthetics inventory package (PIP); Will be responsible for maintaining their Orthotic lab work orders in the Prosthetics package in the DHCP/VISTA (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol/ Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture) or its equivalent.

These work orders explain what needs to be done for the patient. The work orders need to be closed correctly to reflect time spent and materials used.

This becomes a permanent part of the patients' Prosthetic record.

This also affects the quarterly obligations report for headquarters; Will be responsible for maintaining electronic progress notes on patients that he/she has treated with support from the orthotist and/or Prosthetist; Will communicate and instruct patients in proper procedures for wearing and maintaining orthotic/prosthetic devices n order to achieve the maximum benefit.

He/she will document any communication and instructions given to the patient using the electronic consult and progress note (i.e., CPRS package) utilized by this hospital.

The incumbent will follow up to ensure the appliances fits and functions properly; Will be responsible for all clean up assignments.

This includes keeping the following organized, clean, and net: workbench, general work, and storage area; Comply with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided.

Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace.

Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by supervisor.

Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment, and; Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Orthopedic Technician)/PD94449-A