Health Technician; Pedorthist

Overview

Incumbent will serve as a 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. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series.

For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

Basic Requirements:

• To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following:
  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
• 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)
• 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 ABC s 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
• 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 Aid (Pedorthist) - GS-03
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• 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:
  Knowledge of patient related psychology - for example age-related competency - patient - and caregiver stressors
• Knowledge of foundational sciences related to development of pedorthic treatment - for example anatomy - biomechanics - and pathology
• Knowledge of materials science commonly used in fabrication - for example adhesives - plastics - composites - metals - and leather
• Knowledge of regulations and procedures to ensure patient privacy
• Ability to assign Healthcare Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding to pedorthic devices
• 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:
  Skill in conducting patient assessments
• Skill in developing simple pedorthic devices (includes assessment - measurement - selection - and fitting)
• Ability to consult with providers and allied health colleagues regarding treatment
• Ability to assess device to ensure structural soundness and compliance with prescription and fit
• Health Technician (Pedorthist) - GS-06
• Experience
• One year of…