Summary

This position is located at the Boise VA Medical Center in Boise - Idaho within VISN 20. This is an open-continuous announcement. Positions will be filled as they become available. The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be December 18 - 2025 - the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement - 03/05/2026 This position has a selective placement requirement: English Proficiency - In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. In addition to the selective placement requirement - applicants must also meet the below specialize experience. GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled - in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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. Therefore - technician experience is experience that requires application of the knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device; Measure - fit - dispense and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances; Perform simple orthotic repairs - such as repairs to cuffs - suspension straps - shoes - using a wide variety of materials including leather - metal - plastic and fabric components of various braces; annotate patient medical records to computerized patient records system regarding services or treatments provided and inputs data into an electronic database system for accurate reporting of National Prosthetic Patient Data recording all work performed including material cost or labor. Preferred Experiences: - Already holds a credential as a Certified Orthotic Fitter or therapeutic shoe fitter - Has prior experience as an athletic trainer applying athletic tape to stabilize injuries or provide over the counter Orthotic devices independently - Has strong knowledge of anatomy - physiology - kinesiology - and tissue characteristics to appropriately apply orthotic devices - Has experience working with plastics - bending metal - and using machinery to grind - sand - and sew - Has had coursework or training on the job in orthotics or prosthetics - Has experience as an orthopedic cast technician applying casts to people with acute injury in an assisting capacity - Ability to identify anatomical landmarks using medical terminology - Has an ability to read understand and explain fitting procedures to others - Knowledge of HIPPA and OSHA guidelines and how to access web sites to locate guidelines - Knowledge of various orthotic devices and their use - Has experience fitting over the counter orthotics or applying casts on persons with acute injuries - Understands medical terminology - and can identify anatomical landmarks using laymen terms possesses strong customer service skills - Ability to read directions - follow instructions - Acknowledge of various orthoses to be able to select them from inventory NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title - duties - month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to: Orthotics and therapeutic shoe fitters (Fitters) work in the Orthotics and Prosthetics laboratory of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aides service at any one of the VAMC in VISN 20
• Fitters work under the general direction of the Certified Orthotist or Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at their facility
• The main purpose of these Fitters is to fit and apply orthotic devices and depth inlay shoes
• He/she instructs patients in wear and maintenance of orthotic devices to achieve the desired benefit and to maximize the function and lifetime of the device
• The incumbent greets - measures - fits - dispenses and instructs walk-in patients on a variety of non- custom orthotic appliances
• The devices provided include but are not limited to: braces for upper and lower extremities - spinal orthoses - soft goods - diabetic shoes - over the counter (OTC) ankle/ knee immobilizers - supports - and corsets
• He/ she will also measure and fit non-custom and custom hosiery
• Incumbents may prepare casting for shoes and custom shoe inserts using foam impression techniques for eventual fabrication by Certified orthotist or Certified orthotist prosthetists
• NOTE: Fabrication principles and the manufacturing of custom orthotic devices is reserved for Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists
• Incumbents will perform simple orthotic repairs - such as repairs to cuffs - suspension straps - shoes - using a wide variety of materials including leather - metal - plastic and fabric components of various braces Incumbent annotates patient medical records to computerized patient records system (CPRS) with regards to services and/or treatments provided to comply with Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Standards
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30PM MST Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Orthotic Fitter)/PD10294A Physical Requirements: Most of the time is spent standing - squatting or kneeling while examining patients - and walking long distances to various locations within the medical center
• Manual dexterity in procedures of measuring and fitting is required
• There are times when the incumbent is required to lift and carry objects between 10-40 pounds and occasionally need to lift more than 40 pounds.