Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Internal to an agency

Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC): Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC) facility
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ

• Performs limited assessments to understand orthotic/prosthetic needs by reviewing prescriptions, referrals, medical history, functional status, and prior device use.
• Consults with physicians, therapists, caregivers, and senior O/P staff to clarify prescriptions and ensure appropriate device selection.
• Identifies suitable materials, components, and designs consistent with the treatment plan and expected outcomes.
• Communicates with patients to explain procedures, obtain cooperation, reduce anxiety, and provide education regarding device use and care.
• Documents patient history, progress, and follow-up using established record-keeping procedures and organizational guidelines.
• Takes accurate measurements for fabrication and fitting of orthoses and prostheses for common disability levels, including spinal, upper extremity, lower extremity, transtibial, and transfemoral devices.
• Prepares molds, tracings, impressions, and digital or physical models used in fabrication.
• Fabricates, assembles, and aligns orthotic and prosthetic components of limited to moderate complexity, following professional standards and manufacturer specifications.
• Selects and prepares appropriate materials to ensure durability, structural safety, and proper function.
• Performs preliminary alignment and fitting, adjusting devices to improve comfort, function, and stability.
• Evaluates fit and mechanical relationships to determine whether modifications are necessary.
• Makes device adjustments such as pressure relief, alignment changes, component changes, and range-of-motion modifications.
• Ensures all fabrication guidelines, safety standards, torque requirements, and manufacturer recommendations are followed.
• Provides patient preparation and instruction for device delivery, wear schedules, maintenance, and safe use.
• Conducts static and dynamic evaluations to confirm devices meet clinical goals and prescription objectives.
• Solicits patient and caregiver feedback to evaluate comfort, function, and satisfaction, adjusting devices as needed.
• Maintains accurate patient records consistent with Medical Center, NISN, JCAHO, ABC, and BOC requirements.
• Follows all policies and procedures related to patient privacy, safety, infection control, and ethical practice.
• Demonstrates proper documentation of patient treatment, communication, and billing-related information.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to support coordinated, professional patient care.
• Develops clinical and technical competency through supervised practice and training in essential tasks such as measurement-taking, patient communication, and fitting of basic appliances.
• Participates in manufacturer trainings, professional seminars, continuing education, and skills development to maintain competency and learn new technologies.
• Completes all required hospital and regulatory training.
• Participates in in-service programs, case discussions, product development, outcome evaluation, and related professional activities.
• Engages with professional organizations, consumer groups, and educational programs to support advancement of the orthotic/prosthetic profession.
• Performs other duties as assigned depending on grade level.

Work (Duty) Location: If selected, you will temporarily work at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center located at 1011 Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee, OK 74401 until the new hospital in Tulsa is completed (projected for March 2026). At that time, your duty station will change to the new Tulsa location: James Mountain Inhofe VAMC, 440 South Houston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127.
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 623-53742-A, 623-53743-A, 623-53744-A, 623-53745-A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. 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.
   • Foreign Graduates: 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-5 (Entry Level)

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-7

• Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases.
  2. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency.
  3. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication.
  4. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices.
  5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

GS-9

• Education or Experience. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment. OR, (b) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and 6 etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.
  2. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
  3. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions.
  4. Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level)

• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The ability to perform heavy lifting and carrying of 45 lbs and over. It also involves straight pulling for up to 1 hour, pushing for 1 to 2 hours, and reaching above the shoulder. The use of fingers and both hands is required. Candidates must be able to walk and stand for up to 3 hours each. Additionally, the job entails repeated bending for up to 1 hour, and requires the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision must be correctable at a distance of 13 to 16 inches, and hearing aids are permitted.

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.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

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

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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)
• Clinical Applicant Resume/CV
• Professional Certification
• 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.

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