Duties

Summary

The Orthotist/Prosthetist functions in the Orthotic/Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Central Virginia HCS, Richmond, Virginia. He/she administers, trains, and performs work concerned with providing clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled Veteran beneficiaries. This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic devices and the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices.
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Responsibilities

The duties of the Orthotist/Prosthetist include but are not limited to:

• Understands the complex and unique activities and characteristics of a Level 1 Polytrauma facility (to include Spinal Cord Injury Traumatic Brain Injury, Physical Medicine and Rehab Services PACT Committee, Amputation System of Care (ASoC) and Regional Amputation Center (RAC), and Servicemember Transitional Amputation Rehabilitation (STAR) program.
• Assists the Chief, O&P Services in the planning, developing, and directing an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related clinical activities at the national, VISN or local level.
• Serves as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria.
• Authorizes the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealer of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts.
• Participates in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data.
• Gives technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities.
• Maintains close liaison with the ASoC Director and RAC Orthotist/Prosthetist.
• Assists the Chief, O&P Services with duties regarding the NCOPE Residency Program.
• Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan.
• Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.
• Identifies biomechanical condition.
• Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive mold of the affected area of the body, which are used t create the orthosis and/or prosthesis.
• Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills, and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions, etc.
• Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device.
• Considers 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.
• Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment.
• Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. When needed, modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to ensure optimum patient outcome.
• Trains the patient on proper function and fit of the device and evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device. Also ensures that training is provided to the patient and/or caregiver in the device use and maintenance.
• Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established Joint Commission/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VIS policies and ensures data is updated timely in patient record.
• Communicates with patient and/or caregiver regarding treatment and follow-up care.
• Assists with the preparation and presentation of lectures or training to VA and/or non-VA functions.
• Conducts in-service training for O&P staff, Veteran Service Officers, as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O&P technologies.
• Analyzes training/developmental needs of subordinate employees and Residents and makes provisions for training.
• Assists in the oversight and management of the daily operations of O&P Services.
• Assists in the development of the budget for the O&P Services.
• Manages inventory of stock items, fabrication materials, and components and conducts quarterly inventory with the Inventory Manager/Supply Technician. Reports gaps, barriers and discrepancies and takes corrective action.
• Provides guidance and direction to lower graded O&P staff.
• Assists Chief, O&P in developing recommendations for revisions or improvements of VA Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (Lab) policies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (may vary)/ Ad Hoc/Compressed
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

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 Education: 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 (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist. 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.
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: GS-12

(a) 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.

(b) 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 (*):
1. 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.
*2. 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.
*3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information.
*4. Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.
*5. Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.)

(c) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in the following assignment:

1. Advanced Practitioner. The orthotist/prosthetist assignment at this level is intended for smaller, independent laboratories. In addition to functions typical of the GS-11 grade level, the assignment involves responsibility for assuring the accreditation of the laboratory, regulation compliance, and a variety of administrative duties such as developing a budget; managing inventory and resources; overseeing contract employees; planning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical schedule; conducting site surveys of commercial vendors; devising short and long range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA Central Office direction; and conducting quality assurance activities; etc. 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 analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications 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 at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications

Preferred Experience: Must be a certified Orthotist/Prosthetist.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/91, PART II, APPENDIX G32, ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD DATED MARCH 21, 2017. THIS CAN BE FOUND IN THE LOCAL HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), pulling had over hand (.25 hours), pushing (.5 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (1 hour), standing (1 hour), kneeling (.5 hours), repeated bending, ability to read a computer screen, hearing (aid permitted). Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• VA Form 10-2850c (Application for Associated Health Occupations)
• Proof of board certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist.
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf .
(This is a required document and failure to submit it with your application documents may result you not being considered for this announcement).

Proof of Board Certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.

Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following for each job listed:
1) Job title and grade level/salary. In order to show that you meet time-in-grade, you must document grades you have held and how long you have held them;
2) Duties (you must include enough detailed information to support your specialized experience);
3) Month and year start/end dates (e.g. 04/2007 to 04/2008);
4) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
5) Supervisor's contact information and whether or not the supervisor can be contacted.6) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• VA Form 10-2850c (Application for Associated Health Occupations)
• Proof of board certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist.
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.