Summary The Health Technician position is located in the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network in San Diego, CA. The incumbent collaborates in a team-oriented, customer-driven, professional environment to develop new models of care that emphasize prevention, improve access and coordination of care and enhance the customer experience with positive human interactions and therapeutic alliances. They will demonstrate flexibility, integrity, and accountability. Responsibilities This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-7. At the GS-5 and 6 grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, & availability of funds. Major duties include but are not limited to: Receives consults for prosthetic devices. Ensures legal requirements governing eligibility and entitlement of prosthetic devices are met. Provides appropriate orthotic appliance and instructs patients on correct use and care. Creates and completes appropriate work orders for custom items or modifications. Assists in managing orthotic and prosthetic inventory. Performs the repair, fabrication, fitting and dispensing of orthotic appliances. Utilizes various tools such as drill press, grinder, sanders, etc. Uses sewing machines, heat guns etc. when needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm PST Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD10109A Physical Requirements: The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and high degree of dexterity; long periods of standing and long-distance walking may be required. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); 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 includes: Performing clerical or assistant duties in support of purchasing and procurement. Resolving a variety of shipment, payment, or other discrepancies in support of procurement programs and operations. Purchasing various equipment, supplies, and services through the use of a purchase card. Performing inventory maintenance by applying supply accountability regulations, warehousing procedures and safety regulations regarding storage of equipment and supplies. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years of course of study above high school with courses related to the occupation. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-06 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assembling and/or summarizing information from files and documents to create reports utilizing automated computerized supply/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office software programs such as MS Word and Excel. Knowledge of medical terms used to prescribe/describe equipment and the sources for which the repairs can be obtained. Reading and understanding prescriptions and orthotic procedures to undertake the fitting of orthotic appliances. GS-07 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Independently perform the repair, fabrication, fitting, and dispensing of orthotic appliances. Accurately creating and independently signing progress notes in CPRS. Compiling, recording, reviewing, selecting, and interpreting medical data and information incidental to a variety of patient care and treatment activities. Creating and completing work orders for custom items or custom modifications. Assisting in managing orthotic and prosthetic inventory. Preferred Experience: Working knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology/Medical Terminology, Strong Customer Service Skills and Patience Experience. ABC/BOC Certified Orthotic Fitter, ABC Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitter, and knowledge of Orthotics and Prosthetics. 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. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.