Duties
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ
Clinical Care: Acts as a Regional and National resource/consultant with significant multidisciplinary involvement in the care of Veterans with amputations
2. Provides expert level direct clinical skills in the evaluation, prescription formulation, fitting, alignment, and delivery of orthotic and prosthetic devices.
3. Considers new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions.
4. Utilizes effective communication skills at all levels to enhance team functioning and clinical care.
5. Develops, implements and documents in CPRS the evaluation and treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients.
6. Manages the efficient use and ownership of diagnostic equipment such as CAD/CAM and gait analysis equipment.
7. Utilizes telehealth practices to enhance the regional care of Veterans with amputations.
8. Participates in the development of team processes in the RAC program.
Business Operations
1. Provides leadership for the RAC, the ASoC, and Prosthetics and Sensory Aids, to develop and implement a strategic plan to accomplish the goals of the VA National Amputation System of Care.
2. The incumbent ensures that Prosthetic and Orthotic laboratories meet industry standards, and provide quality products and services to patients.
3. Assesses VA Orthotist/Prosthetist certification and accreditation of VA Orthotic/Prosthetic clinical services.
4. Monitors and implements regional compliance for accreditation of Orthotic/Prosthetic clinical services with all relative credentialing organizations, e.g. JC, CARF, NCOPE, ABC, BOC, etc., and certification/registration, competency assessments, peer reviews, and National Provider
Identifier registration of all clinical staff within the region.
5. Acts as a VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratory representative on prosthetic clinical management workgroups.
6. Serves as a member of the Prosthetics Leadership Board and its committees.
7. Acts as an advisor at various levels relating to prosthetic staff, equipment, space, physical plant and other material resources associated with Prosthetics and Orthotics, maxi facial prostheses and other related services.
8. Assesses and reports on the functional level and current resources of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Laboratories within respective region.
9. Coordinates throughout the region for monthly and quarterly reports related to clinical care, workload and budget.
Regulatory Issues
1. Serves as a SME for O&P related CMS issues.
2. May serve as a member of the O&P L-code committee.
3. Responsible for compliance of national VA handbooks.
Education
1. Monitors and implements regional education including via videoconference in compliance of electronic workload capture, coding, pricing, recording of patient encounters, quality control and quality assurance measures, check out procedures, competency assessments, scope of practice
reviews and progress notes of all clinical staff within the region.
2. Serves as liaison between existing prosthetic and orthotic schools and medical school affiliations.
3. Coordinates and develops continuing education programs.
4. Participates in planning committees for the annual VA O&P breakout session.
5. Participates in planning for ASoC educational conferences.
6. Participates in the Prosthetic Leadership Board Education Committee
7. Develops innovative educational materials and processes to enhance the expertise of providers from a wide array of backgrounds, within the medical center, university, and the community, and throughout the geographic region defined by the RAC.
8. Participates in educational programs, providing presentations at local & national level conferences & educational events.
9. Ability to apply knowledge of the theories and principles used in orthotics and prosthetics to care for patients and teach other healthcare providers in the design and fabrication of devices that are innovative, complex and/or unusual in nature.
Supervisory Controls:
The incumbent directly reports to the RAC Medical Director. . The incumbent also receives general direction from the Veterans Integrated Service Network Prosthetic Representative in the VISN where the RAC is located, the Deputy Clinical Prosthetics Officer/National Program Director, Orthotic and Prosthetic Service, and VA Central Office Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. Works with wide latitude and independence of action and is experienced in clinical care, administration, development and coordination of programs with other allied professional groups and disciplines. The employee is regarded as the technical and clinical authority on matters related to the Regional prosthetic and orthotic programs and provides leadership within the RAC and affiliated region in these matters.
Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM Monday -Friday
Telework: As hoc may be available
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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 (1) A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR, (2) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program.
- 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.
- English Language Proficiency. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
Grade Determinations:
Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
*1. Ability to manage and supervise prosthetic and orthotic laboratories, conduct site visits, and review the functional level of each lab.
2. Knowledge of ABC, BOC, OSHA, and JCAHO standards and Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service policies and ability to apply these in the daily operations of orthotic and prosthetic laboratories.
*3. Ability to provide training in new technologies involving CAD/CAM systems and devices such as computerized foot orthoses, myoelectric prostheses, and energy storing components, neuro and brain machine interface systems.
4. Ability to apply knowledge of the theories and principles used in orthotics and prosthetics to teach custom design and fabrication of devices that are innovative, complex, and/or unusual in nature.
*5. Ability to function as a team member or leader with orthotists, prosthetists, and other professionals on committees to review local and national agenda items and to make recommendations based on the review.
6. Ability to develop reports and present at the national level to VHA leadership, Congressional members, and organizations such as AAOP, AOPA, and VSOs.
Assignment. 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. The national clinical manager/national director is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of a VHA nationwide delivery system for orthotic/prosthetic appliances; and related services. The assignment involves establishing performance standards for VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratories; assessment of VA orthotist/prosthetist certification; accreditation of VA orthotic /prosthetic laboratories; establishing and implementing an educational plan for clinical and technical orthotic and prosthetic laboratories staff; representing the VA as a liaison to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; establishing uniform competency assessment procedures for VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratories; developing and monitoring orthotic/prosthetic resident NCOPE accreditation and university preceptorship programs; establishing and implementing a communication system for clinical staff; and acting as a VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratory representative on prosthetic clinical management workgroups.
5. DEVIATIONS
- a. An approving official may, under unusual circumstances, approve reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for an employee whose composite record of accomplishments, performance, and qualifications, as well as current assignment, warrants such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the proposed grade.
- Under no circumstances will the certification or education requirements be waived.
- The placement of individuals in grade levels or assignments not described in this
standard may only be approved by the Under Secretary for Health, or designee, in VHA
Central Office prior to placement in the position.
Preferred Experience:
1. Certified in both orthotics and prosthetic disciplines
2. Ability to lead prosthetic and orthotic clinical services
3. Knowledge of ABC, BOC, OSHA, NCOPE, CARF, and JC standards and Prosthetic and Sensory
Aids Service policies and ability to apply these in the daily operations of orthotic and prosthetic
clinical services.
4. Ability to organize and provide training in new technologies, techniques, and devices.
5. Ability to apply knowledge of the theories and principles used in orthotics and prosthetics to care for
patients and teach other healthcare providers in the design and fabrication of devices that are
innovative, complex and/or unusual in nature.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals at all organization levels
including clinical and administrative staff.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS14.
Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
RESUME REMINDER-
PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO IN YOUR RESUME
Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Job title Duties: be as detailed as possible
Month & year start/end dates: (e.g. June 2017 to April 2021)
Full-time or part-time status: (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade: for all Federal positions you have held.
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.***
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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Certification 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
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
SF-50 Reminder for Federal Employee Applicants- If your most recent SF-50 has an effective date (shown in box 4) within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess the 1 full year of specialized experience in your present grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50, prior to your most recent one. The yearly Cost of Living Adjustment SF-50, issued in January, does not prove a full year of specialized experience. Monetary or time off award SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted.
Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old
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
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Certification 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
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
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.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/04/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12585516.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.