Launch Your Career as an Orthotist with the Defense Health Agency

Are you a skilled orthotics technician looking to make a meaningful impact? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently hiring an Orthotist to join the expert team at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This role offers the chance to support military service members and their families by providing high-quality custom orthotic devices.

Job Responsibilities

In this position, you will perform critical tasks related to orthopedic care, including:

Fabrication and Fitting: Designing, fabricating, and modifying braces and appliances to meet specific patient and physician requirements.
Technical Operation: Utilizing machinery such as band saws, drill presses, leather cutters, and sewing machines to craft custom orthotics.
Material Expertise: Working with diverse materials like resins, neoprene, aluminum, and synthetic fabrics.
Clinical Support: Receiving and interpreting detailed prescriptions to deliver effective, personalized patient care.

Comparison: Standard vs. Specialized Orthotist Roles

Feature	Standard Private Sector Role	DHA Orthotist Position
Patient Base	General Public	Military/Service Members
Benefits	Varies by Employer	Comprehensive Federal Package
Environment	Private Clinic	Military Medical Center
Job Security	Market Dependent	High (Federal Civil Service)

Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must:

Provide a concise resume of two pages or less.
Possess at least one year of specialized experience in an orthotic environment.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Successfully complete an online qualification questionnaire.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $51,201 to $66,563 per year. Beyond base pay, employees benefit from a robust federal benefits package, including health insurance, retirement options, and potential recruitment or relocation incentives for qualified applicants.

Application Tips

Format Matters: Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or less to avoid automatic removal.
Clarity: Use plain language to describe your fabrication experience and avoid obscure industry acronyms.
Precision: Clearly state hours per week for all previous employment to help HR confirm you meet the 'specialized experience' threshold.

Serving as an Orthotist at Brooke Army Medical Center is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the wellbeing of our nation's service members. If you possess the craftsmanship and clinical drive to excel in this environment, we encourage you to apply by the September 8, 2026, deadline.

Why This Orthotist Job Matters

Join a world-class healthcare team at Brooke Army Medical Center where your technical expertise in orthotics directly improves the lives of those who serve our nation.

Orthotist Job Overview

The Defense Health Agency is seeking a skilled Orthotist to support the Directorate of Surgery at the prestigious Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In this role, you will be instrumental in the design, fabrication, and fitting of orthotic devices, serving a diverse patient population including service members, retirees, and their families. This is a unique opportunity to apply your technical craftsmanship within an integrated, high-readiness healthcare system.

Requirements for Orthotist

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Possess at least one year of specialized experience in designing, fabricating, fitting, or repairing orthotic devices.
Submission of a professional resume that does not exceed two pages.
Completion of an online application questionnaire.
Ability to provide proof of U.S. citizenship upon request.
Must be willing to complete a one-year probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Orthotist

Proven experience working with a variety of orthotic materials including resins, synthetic fabrics, leather, and aluminum.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and execute complex physician prescriptions for diverse orthopedic appliances.
High proficiency in using specialized fabrication equipment, such as band saws, metal grinders, and sewing machines.
Experience working in a military or large-scale clinical medical facility.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay adjustments.
✓Potential for salary negotiation for candidates new to federal service.
✓Advanced leave accrual options for qualified candidates.
✓Eligibility for recruitment or relocation incentives if applicable.
✓Access to the comprehensive Federal Employee Health and Retirement benefits package.
✓Direct deposit of payroll.

💡 How to Apply Orthotist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Orthotist Job

Log in or create an account on USAJOBS.
Prepare a resume limited to two pages highlighting specialized orthotic experience.
Click the 'Apply' button to access the official online questionnaire.
Upload all required supporting documents, including your resume and optional performance appraisals.
Verify the completeness of your submission and confirm all documents have cleared the system's virus scan.
Submit your application before the closing date of September 8, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume strictly to two pages; longer resumes will be automatically disqualified.
Be specific about your hours worked per week and exact employment dates.
Avoid acronyms and technical jargon that may not be easily understood by HR reviewers.
Re-select your documents from the system during the application process, even if they are already saved in your profile.
Monitor your email for status updates and follow the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center for detailed guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute my education for the work experience requirement?

No. For this specific position, you must meet the qualification requirements through experience alone; education cannot be substituted for the specialized work requirement.

Is a security clearance required for this position?

No, a security clearance is not required as the position is designated as non-sensitive/low risk.

What happens if I submit a resume longer than two pages?

Per the job announcement requirements, resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration, rendering the application incomplete.

Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha

The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system that delivers world-class medical services across the Department of Defense. By joining our team, you become a strategic partner in ensuring that our military force remains ready, resilient, and healthy. We pride ourselves on a culture of excellence, innovation, and dedicated patient care.