Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)

This position is located at the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami, FL, and William "Bill" Kling Outpatient Clinic in Sunrise, FL in the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services. The purpose of this position is to fit orthotic devices to patients in need in our Orthotic Lab section, with a specialization in bracing and device fittings. The selectee reports to the Orthotic Lab Supervisor. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Qualifying Experience and Education Specialized Experience: 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: Measuring, designing, fabricating, fitting, altering and repairing orthopedic appliances, assistive devices, orthopedic shoe modifications and orthotic supports; instructing physicians and other medical staff in the prescription and application of various orthoses; requesting and maintaining an inventory of prefabricated prosthetic and orthotic devices to meet anticipated needs of patients. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education. NOTE : Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. NOTE : Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

The position demands a moderate degree of exertion and a high degree of dexterity, long periods of standing, and long-distance walking from clinic to clinic. The work requires some physical exertion, prolonged periods of standing and working at a variety of machines, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching and stretching to work on devices and appliances and to fit them to the veteran. There may be recurring lifting and moving of moderately heavy supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs and durable medical equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Toxic and caustic fumes and materials are handled in the Orthotic Lab. Lab coat must be worn. Wards and clinics will be visited. The work environment is generally in the prosthetic/orthotic laboratory. The work is frequently around machines which may expose the incumbent to dust, noise and potential injury. The incumbent will ensure that all machine safeguards are in place and properly used at all times. The incumbent will ensure that gloves, hearing protection and proper dust masks are used when needed. Work may also be performed in a variety of settings, including wards, State veteran homes or other nursing homes, the homes of veterans and in adapted vehicles. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair