Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE 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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: 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. You must have one (1) 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. Specialized experience is working directly with orthopedic doctors and/or surgeons in the treatment of bone and joint injuries where you were responsible for applying and removing casts, splints and braces, assisting with minor surgical procedures, instructing patients in caring for their injuries, adjusting walking aids; assisting orthopedic surgeons in the operating room; ordering supplies, dressing wounds, removing sutures, K wires, steinmann pins, positioning patients for x-rays. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ Education: Successful completion of one (1) full academic year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. ~OR~ Combination: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 12 year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate education directly related to the work of this position. Physical Requirements: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Works with patients requiring regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching and similar activities. Uses principles of body mechanics and obtains assistance when needed. Uses protective measures and techniques in managing disturbed behavior. Duties are performed in a hospital environment including care areas where there is greater potential for the occurrence of disturbed behavior requiring usual safety precautions. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.