Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief)

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Care (CBOC) locations. Open to current, permanent Veterans Health Administration employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides comprehensive support to optimize the health, independence, and functional outcomes of Veterans within all Chillicothe VAMC service areas, including main campus operations, CBOCs, mobile medical units, and specialized clinical programs.
• Supervises staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic duties concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veterans receiving care throughout the facility's continuum.
• Ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant prosthetic and sensory aids care; manages local-level PSAS operations; and provides leadership to meet mission goals and support Chillicothe's integrated clinical programs.
• Provides multiple specialty services consistent with Chillicothe's operational needs, including Orthotic and Prosthetic Laboratory oversight, Blind Rehabilitation support, surgical implants coordination, Auto Adaptive (Driver Rehabilitation) Program, Amputee Clinic, Power Mobility Clinic, Home Oxygen Program, Clothing Allowance Program, and Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (HISA).
• Manages the service budget, oversees all procurement and fabrication activities, and ensures PSAS operations support optimized Veteran care outcomes.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm or 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tour will be determined at the time of selection.
Telework: Ad hoc eligible. Approval based on needs of the service and agency.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 936790
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 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.
• 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
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
• Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Grade Determinations:

Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

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

1. Knowledge of directives, handbooks, clinical practice guidelines, and regulations that apply to Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
2. Ability to manage specialty prosthetic services. This includes the ability to provide specialty services based on the unique needs of the patient.
3. Skill and ability to effectively advise senior management officials.
4. 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.
5. Ability to supervise/manage through subordinate supervisors the activities of prosthetic representatives that have diverse functions.
6. Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting Veterans across rural areas, including CBOCs and mobile medical units.
• Experience coordinating care across Chillicothe VAMC, regional clinics, and partner organizations.
• History of implementing new technologies, service improvements, or inventive workflows to enhance Veteran outcomes.
• Skill in developing plans, managing budgets, and optimizing space, equipment, and personnel.
• Experience leading or contributing to committees, clinical teams, and cross-service initiatives.
• Familiarity with national/VISN directives, eligibility rules, procurement standards, and compliance requirements.
• Consistent demonstration of respectful, Veteran-centered service and effective engagement with stakeholders.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform the role safely and effectively, which includes being physically, cognitively, and emotionally capable of handling the day-to-day responsibilities. This may involve routine office work, some walking or standing, occasional bending, and light lifting of prosthetic items or related equipment.

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.

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with Prosthetic Representative responsibilities. The experience is only creditable if documented in the application and verifiable through employment references and/or other means. Examples of qualifying experience include experience in a health care setting, and familiarity with home medical equipment, rehabilitation, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.

Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full- time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work.

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

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• 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.

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

Next steps