Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency. Prosthetic Representatives must be proficient in spoken and written English.
- Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
1) Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team;
or
2) Education. A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; . (NOTE: transcripts MUST be uploaded if basing qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but must show your name and the name of the institution.)
or
3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
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).
Please make sure that your experience is evident in your resume. Please make sure your resume contains hours worked per week, and beginning and ending month and year, for each work experience entry, or else your resume will be considered incomplete, and you will be considered "ineligible" for the position.
Grade Determinations:
GS-13 Experience: Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified for the assignment.
- Knowledge of directives, handbooks, clinical practice guidelines, and regulations that apply to Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
- Ability to manage specialty prosthetic services. This includes the ability to provide specialty services based on the unique needs of the patient.
- Skill and ability to effectively advise senior management officials.
- Ability to manage a health care program that provides home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.
- Ability to supervise/manage through subordinate supervisors the activities of prosthetic representatives that have diverse functions.
- Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities.
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. Service chiefs have full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service operations. This is the highest level professional position, at the facility, with responsibility for the professional practice of all facility PSAS staff. Individuals at the GS-13 level are typically assigned as Chiefs at a complex facility that provide multiple specialty services such as those described in paragraph 2.g and may manage more than one facility through subordinate supervisors. The chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the PSAS program. Service Chiefs plan, develop, organize, direct, manage, control, implement and evaluate programs for the Service. They have overall responsibility to ensure proper coordination between care delivered by PSAS and the overall delivery of healthcare within the facility. They are responsible for all supervisory functions, including recruitment and hiring, administering employee leave requests and ensuring all requests for hiring, promotions, awards and disciplinary actions are justified and carried out according to appropriate VA Human Resources policies and procedures. The Chief is a member of the senior leadership team providing advice for integrated care programs for a diverse Veteran population with multiple diagnoses, and other needs. The Chief is involved in management planning to achieve medical center, VISN, and national goals.
Preferred Experience: Expert level experience in Prosthetics program related systems, databases, and tools, such as VistA, Advanced Prosthetics Acquisition Tool (APAT) - Prosthetics software, Prosthetics Inventory package, and FLOW3. Experience in managing a complex level 1 facility as an Assistant Chief or Chief of Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service. Knowledge of directives, handbooks, clinical practice guidelines, and regulations that apply to Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service. Ability to provide specialty services based on unique needs of the patient. Ability to manage a health care program that provides home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics. Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards, production, and performance priorities.
Physical Requirements: Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service 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. Lifting and carrying of objects up to 50 pounds may be required. The employee might be required to endure brief periods of heat, humidity, etc., as some warehouse areas are not air conditioned. Some climbing may be associated with stocking items in storage areas. 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/94, Part II, Appendix G-34.