Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Constructs/shapes and repairs common orthotic/prosthetic devices from casts and/or documents provided by clinician, such as repairs to custom foot orthoses and shoes, using a wide variety of materials. Repairs leather, metal, plastic and fabric components to items such as orthotic soft goods, shoes, and shoe inserts.
• Under the direction of a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, constructs/shapes molded and custom made orthoses/prostheses including but not limited to upper, lower limb, including shoe modifications, and spinal orthoses. Fabrication includes but is not limited to:
  • Limited plaster modifications to upper and lower extremity orthotic and prosthetic devices under supervision of Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist.
  • Blister or drape forming materials under vacuum over positive models and trimming and smoothing devices for fitting.
  • Fabrication of custom foot orthotics using Amfit blanks and carver. The incumbent adheres to specifications, conformance to models and tracings provided by the certified practitioner requesting the service.
  • Installs valves, locking mechanisms and assembles transtibial and transfemoral sockets with bench alignment to an endoskeletal pylon system per manufacturer recommendations in preparation for dynamic alignment.
  • Follows instructions on the orthometry form and cast or tracing provided by the clinician to create AFOs and KAFOs; verifies correct size metal is used based on the pt's weight and alignment provided on the orthometry form, bends/ contours metal stirrups and uprights, rivets through the midsole, attaches the bars to the ankle joint and attaches the calf band.
• Fits and dispenses non-custom orthotic soft goods. Assists with the repair, engineering, fitting and dispensing of orthotic appliances. In order to accomplish these tasks, the following is required:
  • Interprets consults as submitted by VA clinicians, ensures the legal requirements governing eligibility and entitlement to prosthetic and orthotic devices are met. Contacts provider with any questions regarding requested item. Performs patient screenings relative to the prosthetics program. Provides appropriate non-custom orthotic appliance and instructs patients on correct use and care. The incumbent will document all clinical information in the electronic medical record (CPRS).
  • Applies prefabricated orthopedic devices such as but not limited to, lumbo-sacral supports, abdominal binders, cervical collars, wrist splints, arm slings, knee braces, knee sleeves, compression hose, ankle supports, trusses, non-custom in- depth shoes, over-the-counter foot orthotics with limited supervision. Incumbent will take measurements of body and limb segments to appropriately select, size, and fit device to the patient.
  • Provides the patient the opportunity to select an outside (non-VA) contract provider should the patient choose to. Has an understanding of the overall internal and external provision of care processes.
• Answers telephone inquiries directed toward the Service and responds appropriately.
• Assists in the managing of orthotic and prosthetic inventory within the Department, including chemical inventory. This can include conducting routine physical inventory counts, updating inventory and keeping excess inventory to a minimum. Ensures inventory locations are kept clean and organized. The incumbent may also be required to unpack shipments, check packing slips against orders and contents of the shipment and assemble the necessary documentation for orthotic and prosthetic items needing to be reordered.
• Requests patient specific items through the Remote Order Entry System (ROES). This requires an understanding of the contracts and contracted items available through the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center (DALC).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Pre-employment physical required to be completed.
• Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  Documents Required:
  

  • Resume

  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/18/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11903952.
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Kelsey Charley-Germain

  Phone

  651-405-5689

  Email

  Kelsey.Charley-Germain@va.gov

  Address

  VA Central Iowa Health Care System
  3600 30th St
  Des Moines, IA 50310
  US

  Next steps

  After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
  The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.