Commission Pedorthist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Health Technician (Pedorthist) administers, leads or performs work involving designing, fabricating, or fitting orthotic or partial foot prosthetic devices to preserve, replace, or restore function to patients with painful and/or disabling conditions originating at the ankle or below or with partial absence of the foot.
Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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.
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).
OR
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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and credentialing/certification, where applicable. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements:

• Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees in an occupation that requires a credentialing only at higher grade levels must meet the credentialing requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtains credentialing/certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all qualification requirements defined in the specific grade.
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.
AND
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.
Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-05.
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
AND
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.
Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-06.
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
AND
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.
Health Technician (Pedorthist), GS-07.
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
AND
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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements: The ability to perform heavy lifting and carrying of 45 lbs. and over. It also involves straight pulling for up to 1 hour, pushing for 1 to 2 hours, and reaching above the shoulder. The use of fingers and both hands is required. Candidates must be able to walk and stand for up to 3 hours each. Additionally, the job entails repeated bending for up to 1 hour, and requires the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision must be correctable at a distance of 13 to 16 inches, and hearing aids are permitted.Education: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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER