Career Center

Summary

This position functions primarily in the Orthotist - Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The general responsibilities of the Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist are to administer - supervise - or perform work concerned with providing clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Certification: Must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as a prosthetist - or Orthotist - Prosthetist - or Orthotist/Prosthetist
• Education: Must possess 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
• 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 Supervisory Level Experience: Completion of at least 1 full year of experience as an Orthotist/Prosthetist equivalent to the next lower level (GS- 11) in the federal service functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions
• This experience includes: Attend clinics and fully participate as a member of a treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan
• 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 to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate these conditions
• Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics - composites - metals - and leather used in fabrication in order to design and fabricate prescribed devices considering new and emerging technologies to include the use hand and power tools and CAD/CAM systems in the fabrication of the devices
• Recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
• 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
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/91 PART II APPENDIX G32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS- 12
• Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion in standing - bending - kneeling - reaching - gripping - and walking
• Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work
• Work may require physical health - normal use of arms and legs - and good visual and auditory acuity.

Duties

• Major Duties: Plan - develop - and direct an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related Clinical activities
• Serve as an advisor to physicians - therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry - prescription criteria
• 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
• Interviews patients to determine expectations - lifestyle - home/work environment - ability to use 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
• Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance
• Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars
• Communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatment plan
• Authorize the purchase - fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices
• Maintain continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies - inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts
• Participate 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
• Give technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities
• Manages the daily operations of a small to medium Lab
• Plans clinical schedule for Orthotics and Prosthetics and assure appropriate staff coverage
• Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance
• Develops budget plan for lab
• Manages inventory of stock items - fabrication materials - and components
• Supervises O/P lab staff evaluating employee performance - approving leave - interviewing candidates for positions - recommending promotions - giving advice - counseling/effecting disciplinary action - resolving complaints - etc
• Assigns workload giving due consideration to priorities - requisite needs - and capabilities of the Prosthetic/O&P Lab
• Allocates resources within budget - time - and staff constraints effectively using all resources VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - May be eligible for 15% Relocation/Recruitment Incentive.