Orthotist - Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner Job in Oklahoma City, OK

Summary

This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Duties

The general responsibility of the Orthotist/Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetics and orthotic services to disabled patients. The organizational location of this position is: Orthotics, Prosthetics, Pedorthics Clinical Services (OPPCS) section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) division of the Neurology Department within the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (OKCVAHS

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follows established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy.
• Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions, etc.
• Takes necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive mold of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis.
• Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications.
• Assess 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 (has considerable influence over treatment plan.)
• 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. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems.
• Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in the fabrication of the device.
• Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment.
• Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment.
• Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricates and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome.
• Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device, provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff.
• Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process.
• Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center NISN policies.
• Maintains professional credentials and/or competency.
• Observes appropriate, established infection control guidelines.
• Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines.
• Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professions, patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatments plan. (PM&R, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Vascular, Podiatry, Oncology, etc.)
• Conducts in-service training for O/P staff, VSO's, as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologies.
• Provides guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff.
• Develops short- & long-range plans/goals for the lab in accordance with local, VISN, Headquarters direction.
• Assures safe workplace considering environmental concerns, OSHA/JCAHO regulations.
• Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists, and other medical professionals regarding indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria.
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufactures and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services, and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts.
• Participating in the investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling data.
• Travels to other locations within the OKC VAHCS up to 25% and maintains current qualifications for the use of government owned vehicles.
• Meet criteria to implement, run, and supervise an NCOPE-accredited Prosthetics residency program.

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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination / evaluation 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.

• 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

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 12/31/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12812320.

1. 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.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

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.