Health Technician (Wheelchair)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Cleveland, OH

42d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is aligned under Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, at the Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland OH. The incumbent works under the Supervisory Prosthetist-Orthotist, Orthotic Prosthetic and Pedorthotic Clinical Services. The primary purpose of the position is to perform technical work in the Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Clinical Service - and assist in the design, fabrication, repair, modification and fitting of orthotic, prosthetic, and durable medical devices as prescribed. Measures and Fits Patients 100% This position provides clinical, administrative, technical, and direct patient care support. In this capacity, the incumbent must be skillful and flexible in establishing goals and setting priorities due to the fluctuating needs of the clinical staff - based on the following areas: Under the guidance of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist the incumbent will perform all duties involved with orthotics and prosthetic skills in the repairing, fabrication, fitting and modification of orthotic, prosthetic and durable medical devices for the treatment of patients; Under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist will assist the professional staff in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans to include amputees, diabetics, upper motor neuro injury, spinal cord injury, and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, and durable medical devices to take the place of, or assist, a part of or function of the body which is lost or impaired; Will perform under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of off the shelf and custom fit devices, such as lumbosacral orthoses, cervical collars, compression hose, knee orthoses, wrist hand orthoses, abdominal binders, orthopedic shoes etc. Will assist the orthotic lab in fabricating components together; Will perform under the direction of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of durable medical devices, such as manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, and walkers; Will be responsible for performing a broad range of work, which involves the choice of materials, fabrication, and fitting under the supervision of the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist. Each device is constructed and fitted to meet the most rigid prescription requirement; Will maintain stock of material and supplies for fabrication and off the shelf prosthetic and orthotic devices utilizing the prosthetics inventory package (PIP); Will be responsible for maintaining their Orthotic Lab work orders in the Prosthetics package in the DHCP/VISTA. These work orders explain what needs to be done for the patient. The work orders need to be closed correctly to reflect time spent and materials used. This becomes a permanent part of the patients' Prosthetic record. This also affects the quarterly obligations report for headquarters; Will be responsible for maintaining electronic progress notes on patients that he/she has treated with support from the Orthotist and/or Prosthetist; Will communicate and instruct patients in proper procedures for wearing and maintaining orthotic/prosthetic devices in order to achieve the maximum benefit. He/she will document any communication and instructions given to the patient using the electronic consult and progress note (CPRS package) utilized by this Hospital. The incumbent will follow up to ensure the appliance fits and functions properly; Will be responsible for all clean up assignments. This includes keeping the following organized, clean, and neat: workbench, general work and storage area; Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by supervisor. Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment, and; Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

repairing, fabrication, fitting and modification of orthotic, prosthetic and durable medical devices
assisting in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans
repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of off the shelf and custom fit devices
assisting the orthotic lab in fabricating components together
repairing, modifying, measuring, and fitting of durable medical devices
maintaining stock of material and supplies
maintaining Orthotic Lab work orders in the Prosthetics package in the DHCP/VISTA
maintaining electronic progress notes on patients
communicating and instructing patients in proper procedures
responsible for all clean up assignments
Complying with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations
Performing other duties as assigned