Summary

This position functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the VISN 2 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line. Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line in VISN 2 is a fully integrated system at the VISN level. Although our staff are assigned to specific primary duty stations at the facility level - our staff are not employed by that facility and rather work for the VISN.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program
• OR A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program
• Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent - as verified through an independent credential evaluation company) - with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics
• Board Certification: Candidates must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist - prosthetist - or orthotist/prosthetist
• The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education
• Certification as a technician - pedorthist - assistant or fitter does not meet this requirement
• Driving: Unrestricted current driver's license in a state is required
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as an orthotist/prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC - BOC - the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) - the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP) - the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) - Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - etc
• Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management - inventory management - space and workload planning - as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD) - knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) package - Decision Support System (DSS) - and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals
• Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS - Vista - DSS - HCPCS codes and other patient database information
• Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12
• Physical Requirements: VISN 2 Prosthetics Service Line functions primarily within VA medical facilities
• environmental exposures and physical demands vary across the health care systems
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting - with intermittent bending - pulling - and pushing
• Movement between work areas within the health care system is expected
• Occasional lifting of objects up to 45 pounds may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing appropriate to the health care environment
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and be able to shift priorities based on patient and department needs.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2025 or until all positions are filled
• Qualified applications will be referred as needed - or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be required to travel to satellite clinics and on occasion Veteran's homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory
• The Non-Supervisory GS 12 Orthotist- Prosthetist functions as an Advanced Practitioner and / or spends more than 25% of their time on higher level activities of a significant scope of complexity - and range of variety beyond the full performance level GS 11 positions
• Certification by ABC as both an Orthotist and Prosthetist is required to achieve and to keep this position and grade
• This includes staying current on required continuing education to maintain that certification in addition to VA required TMS education requirements
• A Bachelors degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics or a Bachelor's degree in another field combined with a post graduate orthotics and prosthetics certificate from a Commission on Accreditation of allied health education program (CAAHEP) accredited program is required to be promoted beyond the GS 11 full performance level
• In addition to the GS 11 assignments - the Orthotist Prosthetist at this level is responsible for assuring accreditation of the laboratory - regulatory compliance and a variety of administrative duties such as budget development - managing inventory and resources - overseeing contract employees - planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule - conducting site surveys of commercial vendors - devising short and long range goals in accordance with local - VISN - and VHA central office direction
• and conduction quality assurance activities - etc
• The orthotist prosthetist has or is developing knowledge of the administrative functions including budget development and management - inventory management - space and work load planning - as well as knowledge of the national prosthetic patient database - national prosthetics software package - decision support system - and accreditation requirements for O&P laboratories and individuals
• They can analyze data and provide reports using CPRS - VISTA - DSS - HCPCS codes and other patient database information
• The orthotist-prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - etc
• as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
• The work includes complex patient analysis in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.
• assessment of the patient for indications/ contraindications and discussion of the assessment with the physician / requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
• consideration of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications
• The orthotist- prosthetist is regularly assigned to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions
• This requires advanced knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy - physiology - biomechanics - kinesiology - physics - and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies The orthotist- prosthetist will conduct clinical patient analysis such as gait - range of motion - life-style - etc
• for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications - and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions
• The orthotist- prosthetist will be responsible for a patient load - and will complete all required documentation including VISTA - CPRS - encounters - OWLS - and other requirements as they evolve
• This may also include stock posting items delivered for inventory control - managing lab equipment inventory - placing orders using established procedures for patient specific needs - quote review from outside vendors - etc
• to ensure seamless care
• The Orthotist-Prosthetist will perform the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician
• Work Schedule: 6:30-1700 Monday-Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.