Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent VA employees and those of other federal agencies. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

If you ARE NOT a current VA or federal employee, please apply here CBST-12893278-26-KMS

Duties include but are not limited to:

The incumbent works closely with the Chief for overall program planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating and controlling the prosthetic programs at this facility.

The Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) participates with the Chief for planning, developing and directing work of the program which includes, but is not limited to, establishing program goals and determining how the work will be accomplished, within the resources available, and providing written administrative and procedural directives necessary for accomplishing the work; preparing schedules and establishing priorities for implementation and completion of assignments and projects; assigning through subordinate associates when applicable, the work to be accomplished giving due consideration to priorities, requisite needs of the assignments and capabilities of the prosthetic activity; interpreting and applying laws, regulations and procedures related to rendering prosthetic services as a necessary part of the VA medical care for which veteran patients are eligible.

Formulates, presents, and executes organizational budgets. Assists the Chief in the development of the annual specific-purpose budget for the CAVHS PSAS and submits it for review for the VISN 16 Prosthetics Manager. Evaluates financial trends and determines compliance with agency guidance. Executes the budget on a facility program level through coordination with the Service Chief. Coordinates assigned budget segment and planning processes in order to inform upper management on key issues, to impact facility processes and decision-making, or to plan the facility budget
for the upcoming fiscal year. Gathers information for assigned programs and reviews budget formulations and workload analysis submissions. Monitors budget allocation and execution to insure that operating program objectives are met.

Performs in-depth, rigorous analysis of budget requests by employing techniques such as cost-benefit analysis, program trade-offs, and exploring alternative methods of funding. Monitors the use and rate of expenditure of budgeted funds in assigned areas through continuing dialogue with facility administrative and clinical staff, review of written documents, and examination of obligations and expense totals. Responsible for determining facility personnel requirements and controlling expenditures. Determines resource requirements and recommends resource allocations based on priorities and needs.

Directs program goals, manages program resources (e.g. specific-purpose and general-purpose budgets, space, equipment, supplies, and personnel) and/or operates aspects of a Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Program. Responds to inquiries to explain new directives, performance measures, policies and strategic goals at the facility. Prepares specific instructions for ongoing operations and/or implements policies designated by higher-level personnel. Handles administrative matters pertinent to all issues related to the facility Prosthetics Program, including requesting and ordering through supply channels. Performs inventory and cost control. Provides advice on prosthetic program administrative matters.

Manages general medical facility and outpatient clinic prosthetic services. Develops management plans, and deals with varied technical and administrative problems and concerns. Assists in the management of the prosthetics programs with special medical emphasis, including a Spinal Cord Injury Clinic, Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), Nursing Home Care Units, Driver Rehabilitation Training, Orthotic/Prosthetic Laboratories and Prosthetic Implants. Develops procedures to implement legislative and administrative requirements for the prosthetics and adaptive equipment and clothing program. Prepares policy and procedural guidance for program participants. Assures that all program activities are carried out in accordance with regulations on eligibility and extent of entitlements.

Assists the Chief in the management of procurement and contracting for the CAVHS Prosthetic Program. This may include distributing national prosthetic contract requirements and guidelines as part of the National Prosthetics Clinical Management Program (PCMP) to staff, reviewing PCMP contract compliance, ensuring usage of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts, and VISN 16 contracts and blanket purchasing agreements (BPA), preparing procurement requests, evaluating proposals.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 01391F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this jo
• 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 evaluation.
• 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

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.
• Experience and Education: Must possess prior prosthetics experience. 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;
  • or
  • (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• 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.

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).

Grade Determinations:GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)

(a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessment of competencies; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
2. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of compliance and regulatory accrediting organizations.
5. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.

Preferred Experience: Planning and directing a prosthetic program at a local medical center, VISN, or national level. Experience with prosthetic consult management. At least one year of supervision experience. Lead staff trainings. Experience using NPPD (national prosthetic patient data base), PCM reports (prosthetic clinical management)

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-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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.

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

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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.

Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week, name of Institution to include degree conferred date, and License State / Expiration Date.

Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek. For example, if you are employed 20 hours per week, or on a half time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action:

• Most recent SF-50. Must be 2025.

Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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)
• resume more than 2 pages
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• 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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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