Prosthetic Representative

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open to all US citizens.

This is a trainee position that aims to train an incumbent to a Prosthetic Representative within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS).

The incumbent trainee will serve under the preceptorship of a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative (Chief or designee) for the purpose of orientation, learning and experiencing specialized functions specific to the management of Prosthetics Service Line and related specialized programs, such as Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (HISA), Auto Adaptive & Equipment (AAE) Program, Annual Application for Clothing Allowance, and Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefit (VHIB).

The incumbent trainee will serve in a series of required developmental coursework and tasks which are designed to provide specific knowledge, skills, abilities and experience. The supervisor and incumbent trainee will jointly develop and establish specific goals, objectives, and projects.

The incumbent trainee will independently (with minimal supervision) organize and perform tasking to complete jointly agreed upon goals. Forward-looking education, training and work assignments will be provided in budget preparation and forecasting; accounting; procurement procedures and inventory management; public relations and communication; anatomy and physiology; kinesiology; medical terminology; human behavior; patient care; prosthetic devices/equipment, and VA iCARE Values.

Duties include but are not limited to the following;

• Develop local organizational policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures
• Authorize and prepare purchase orders
• Develop Statement of Work and/or Performance Work Statement for service contracts
• Monitor contracts to ensure compliance adherence to statement of work
• Receive, analyze and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services
• Validate data
• Establish long- and short-term program goals 8. Respond to a variety of correspondence
• Participate in local facility committees, workgroups, teams
• Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment and benefits to eligible beneficiaries
• Adjust workload and develop performance measures
• Implement new local and national guidelines, policies and procedures
• Develop tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program
• Analyze, review and evaluate the results of various monitors and databases
• Confers with contractors and other health care workers

NOTE: Travel may be required once a month in order to complete and comply with the training.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Telework: Ad. Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 identification 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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• Experience and Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.

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,

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;

OR,


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).


Preferred Experience: Purchasing experience including research, procurement, reconciliation, contract usage/management.

Grade Determinations:

GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)

Experience:

In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled.

AND,

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
• Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits.
• Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
• Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.

GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental level) In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled.

OR,

Education: Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate 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 may 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.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
• Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors.
• Ability to apply and educate others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices.

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-07 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary and is carried out in an office setting. Prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal exist. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking and pulling of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary, incumbent may carry/lift items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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:

• Resume

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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• 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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