Health Technician (Pedorthist)

Description:

The Health Technician (Pedorthist) serves as part of the Prosthetics Service Line at Minneapolis VA Medical Center, located in Minneapolis, MN. The work represents independent assessment of patients with all levels of disease and disability, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow up of the treatment to validate outcomes and refine the treatment plan to improve patient compliance and satisfaction.

Requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
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).
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)
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.
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
Experience . Six months of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities associated with pedorthic practice equivalent to the next lower grade.

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.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in a Health Technician (Pedorthist) trainee developmental position, in accordance with clear and well-established procedures and work under the clinical oversight and direction of a credentialed pedorthist, orthotist, or CPO. Health Technician (Pedorthist) attends clinic to observe and articulate understanding of terms and diagnoses encountered. They observe and assist in the evaluation of the prescription, the assessment of the patient, preparation, and modification of casts for simple device types, repairs, and fabrication of simple devices in accordance with the input of the supervising clinician.

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

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.

Assignment. Assignments at this grade level represent a developmental level where the individual continues developing the broader knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare for the next developmental level. Clinical oversight is more general in nature for assignments for which the individual has demonstrated competency. Health Technician (Pedorthist) consults with supervisor or the individual providing clinical oversight for guidance not covered by instructions. They conduct patient assessments, take scans, and measurements for simple devices, prepare, and modify casts for simple devices.

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

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.

Assignment. Assignments at this grade level represent a developmental level where the individual continues developing broader knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare for the full performance level. Clinical oversight is more general in nature for assignments, for which the individual has demonstrated competency. Health Technician (Pedorthist) at this level possess a broad working knowledge of simple and complex device types. Health Technician (Pedorthist) independently takes scans and measurements; prepares and modifies casts and repairs and fabricates complex devices in accordance with the input of the individual providing clinical oversight.

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

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.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level Health Technician (Pedorthist). The work represents independent assessment of patients with all levels of disease and disability, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow up of the treatment to validate outcomes and refine the treatment plan to improve patient compliance and satisfaction. Health Technician (Pedorthist) provides complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions and interrelated conditions. They assess patients for indications/contra-indications. They analyze the potential use of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative pedorthic devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications.

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.

All qualifying experience and certifications that you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards