Summary
The Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist, provide appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. This position is for the O&P professional to work at the WPB HCS main campus and sharing travel locally to the WPB HCS Community based outpatient clinics to deliver and organize care at those locations if needed . Government transportation is provided. West Palm Beach is the hub for this position, and travel time will be included in tour of duty.
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy announcement is opened to US citizens. This is an Open Continuous Announcement. This means that this announcement will remain opened until the position/s are filled or 12/31/2024, which ever is first.
Duties
The Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist, provide appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment.
- An examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires.
- Compliance with the treatment plan.
- Design, component selection, measurement/casting of the patient, fabrication and fitting of the device to the patient.
- Proper documentation of the patient record.
- Continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit, function and changing needs of the patient.
- Communicates with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential risks/benefits.
- Verify patient care by documenting history, ongoing care and follow-up, using established record-keeping techniques.
- Refer patient, if appropriate, to higher level Orthotist and/or Prosthetist for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice or privileging.
- Consults with higher-level Orthotist and/or Prosthetist to clarify or with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/or treatment plan.
- Identify material, design and components to support anticipated outcome.
- Inform patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure.
- Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan.
- Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment.
- Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan.
- Consult technical component/material resources as required.
- Prepare delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication.
- Fabricate/assemble prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or delivery.
- Assess device for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/delivery.
- Assess/align orthosis/prosthesis for accuracy in sagittal, transverse and coronal planes to provide maximum function/comfort.
- Provide gait training /functional-use training.
- Ensure that materials, design and components are fit/delivered as prescribed.
- Complete fabrication process after achieving optimal fit of orthosis/prosthesis.
- Educate/counsel patient and/or caregiver about the use and maintenance of the orthosis/prosthesis.
- Reassess orthosis/prosthesis for structural safety prior to patient delivery.
- Document treatment using established record-keeping techniques to verify implementation of treatment plan.
- Solicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine status.
- Assess patient's functional level.
- Assess patient's skin condition.
- Assess patient's general health, height and weight, and note any changes.
- Assess patient's psychosocial status, and note any changes.
- Assess fit of orthosis/prosthesis with regard to strategic contact to determine need for changes relative to initial treatment goals.
- Assess fit of orthosis/prosthesis with regard to anatomical relationships to orthosis/prosthesis to determine need for changes relative to initial treatment goals.
- Formulate plan to modify orthosis/prosthesis based on findings; inform patient and/or caregiver of plan to modify orthosis/prosthesis.
- Make specified modifications to orthosis/prosthesis.
- Assess modified device for structural safety, and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed.
- Evaluate modifications to orthosis/prosthesis, including static and dynamic assessment to confirm that goals and objectives of modifications have been met.
- Reassess patient knowledge and understanding of goals and objectives to ensure proper use of orthosis/prosthesis relative to modifications.
- Document all findings and actions and communicate with appropriate health care professionals.
- Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g., FDA, ADA, OSHA, MSDS, ABC and BOC.)
- Communicates roles and expectations of employer and employees by providing documentation to create a professional, cooperative working environment and improve patient care.
- Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners.
- Participates in education for residents, students and trainees.
- Participates in product development research, clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies.
- Participates in/with consumer organizations and nongovernmental organizations to promote competency and enhancement of orthotic/prosthetic profession.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Telework: Not available
Functional Statement #: 40458F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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
This is an Open Continuous Announcement. This means that this announcement will remain opened until the position/s are filled or 12/31/2024, which ever is first.
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(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).
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).
Grandfathering Provision. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
(a) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate (on the resume) the following KSAs:1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies.2. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses 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 those conditions.3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.
Full performance level for this vacancy is GS 11. The grade that you may be selected for is GS 11.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/91 PART II APPENDIX G32
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered and referred to the hiring manager on a regular basis. Applications will be accepted until the vacancies are filled or 12/31/24, which ever is first.
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.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Documentation of current: Board Certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) OR the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC).
- Resume
- Transcript
NOTICE REGARDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: All applicants MUST submit ALL required documents at the time they submit their application package. Applicants that DO NOT, WILL NOT be considered. All federal employees must submit their most recent SF50 from their eOPF to be considered.
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.
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Documentation of current: Board Certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) OR the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC).
- VA Form 10-2850c
- Resume
- SF-15
- 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 Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
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.
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 12/31/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12281583.
- 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.
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