Health Technician

Duties

This position is organizationally aligned under Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, at the Ann Arbor VAMC (506), Ann Arbor, MI - a Level 1b Complexity VHA Facility. The incumbent works under the Assistant Chief O&P Clinical Services. The primary purpose of the position is to perform technical work in the Orthotic Prosthetic Clinical Service and assist in the design, fabrication, repair, modification and fitting of the many varieties of orthotic devices prescribed by a physician.

This position provides clinical, administrative, 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.

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 and prosthetic 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 cord injury and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic and footwear 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 the 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, wrist‑hand orthoses, abdominal binders, orthopedic shoes, etc. Will assist the orthotic lab in fabricating orthotic components together.

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 or 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. These work orders explain what needs to be done for the patient. The work orders must be closed correctly to reflect time spent and materials used. This becomes a permanent part of the patient’s Prosthetic record and 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 to achieve maximum benefit. He/she will document any communication and instructions given to the patient using the electronic consult and progress note (CPRS package) utilized by this Hospital. The incumbent will follow up to ensure the appliance fits and functions properly.

Will be responsible for all clean‑up assignments. This includes keeping the workbench, general work area and storage area organized, clean and neat.

Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules and regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe or unhealthy 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 the work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD060440

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized