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Vacancy announcement is amended to update salary as a result of an approved Special Salary Rate. This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to March 15, 2022 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every two weeks thereafter until position is filled. Once a selection has been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time. 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. Education: (1) Must have 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) Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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. English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Preferred Experience: Certified/licensed in both Orthotic and Prosthetic disciplines by either the American Board for Certification in O&P (ABC) or the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) at the time of on-boarding. Three years or more working experience as fully certified/licensed O&P professionals. In depth knowledge of foot and knee issues and geriatric care preferred. Experience working with electronic health record programs desired. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9 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: 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. 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. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G32. ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-667, Dated March 21, 2017. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 11. Physical Requirements: A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. ["Review patient's prescription/referral Take a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, family dynamics, previous use of an orthosis/prosthesis, diagnosis, work history, vocational activities, signs and symptoms, medical history (including allergies to materials), reimbursement status, patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations. Assist in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination, including manual muscle-testing, gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function, cognitive ability, range of motion, joint stability, skin integrity and compliance. Consult with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan. Communicate with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, and any optional plans, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential risks/benefits. Verify patient care by documenting history, ongoing care and follow-up, using established record- keeping techniques. Refer patient, if appropriate, to other health care professionals (e.g., psychologist, therapist, physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice. Evaluate the findings to determine an orthotic recommendation. Formulate treatment goals and expected orthotic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort, enhance function and independence, provide stability, prevent deformity, address cosmesis and/or promote healing. Consult with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/or treatment plan. Identify material, design and components to support anticipated outcome. Develop a plan for patient needs, including patient education and follow-up. Document treatment plan using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care. Inform patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure. Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan. Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment (e.g.,diagnostic splint, residual limb shrinker). Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan) Implement procedure (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan). Select appropriate materials, components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength, durability and function as required (e.g., choose ankle or knee joints, feet, knee units; choose material of components, lamination lay-ups). Consult technical component/material resources as required. Prepare delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication (e.g., prepare impression/reverse delineation, seal and fill impression/pour cast, digitize, strip model, download shape to carver or modification software). Modify and prepare patient model for fabrication. Fabricate/assemble prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or delivery (e.g., laminate/vacuum-form, remove socket/orthosis from model, smooth and finish orthosis/prosthesis, contour side bars to model/delineation, smooth and finish sidebars, bench align components to socket, strap orthosis/prosthesis as necessary, perform final assembly of orthosis/prosthesis for patient fitting/delivery). Assess device for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/delivery (e.g., torque values, patient weight limits). Assess/align orthosis/prosthesis for accuracy in sagittal, transverse and coronal planes to provide maximum function/comfort. Provide gait training /functional-use training. Ensure that materials, design and components are fit/delivered as prescribed. Complete fabrication process after achieving optimal fit of orthosis/prosthesis (e.g., convert test socket to definitive orthosis/prosthesis). Educate/counsel patient and/or caregiver about the use and maintenance of the orthosis/prosthesis (e.g., wear schedules, therapy, other instructions). Reassess orthosis/prosthesis for structural safety prior to patient delivery (e.g., screws tightened, cover attached). Document treatment using established record-keeping techniques to verify implementation of treatment plan. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]