This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 29, 2023. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be July 19, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** 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 must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program OR A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program OR Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics. 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. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Certification as a technician, pedorthist, assistant or fitter does not meet this requirement. Drivers License: Possess a current valid drivers license. Grade Determinations GS-12: Experience Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 level as an orthotist/prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC, BOC, the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), etc. *Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD), knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) package, Decision Support System (DSS), and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals. *Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. *Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices. *Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.) Assignment Advanced Practitioner The orthotist/prosthetist assignment at this level is intended for smaller, independent laboratories. In addition to functions typical of the GS-11 grade level, the assignment involves responsibility for assuring the accreditation of the laboratory, regulation compliance, and a variety of administrative duties such as developing a budget; managing inventory and resources; overseeing contract employees; planning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical schedule; conducting site surveys of commercial vendors; devising short and long range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA Central Office direction; and conducting quality assurance activities; etc. The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, oncology, etc., as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan; consideration of 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. The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Orthotist-Prosthetist experience, experience working in outlying clinics, working independently in all aspects of O&P. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/91 PART II APPENDIX G32 Physical Requirements: The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient and department needs. ["**This position will have travel during normal work hours using a government vehicle. Travel will be to Community Based Outpatient Clinics and at times to Veterans' homes.** Functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab within the WCHCS PM&R Service. As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be required to travel to satellite clinics and on occasion Veteran's homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory. Assures accreditation of the laboratory, regulatory compliance and a variety of administrative duties such as budget development, managing inventory and resources, overseeing contract employees, planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule, conducting site surveys of commercial vendors, devising short and long range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA central office direction; and conduction quality assurance activities, etc. Develops knowledge of the administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, as well as knowledge of the national prosthetic patient database, national prosthetics software package, decision support system, and accreditation requirements for O&P laboratories and individuals. They can analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, VISTA, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, oncology, etc. Develops the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. The work includes complex patient analysis in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/ contraindications and discussion of the assessment with the physician / requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan; consideration of 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. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Participates as a member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions. This requires advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait, range of motion, lifestyle, etc. for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions. Completes all required documentation including VISTA, CPRS, encounters, OWLS, FLOW and other requirements as they evolve. This may also include stock posting items delivered for inventory control, managing lab equipment inventory, placing orders using established procedures for patient specific needs, quote review from outside vendors, etc. to ensure seamless care. Reviews and triages prosthetics requests daily and communicates with scheduling team as to which patients to schedule in-house vs. those to be sent to outside commercial vendors. Performs the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician. This may include but is not limited to: casting, digitizing, scanning, positive model preparation and modification, selecting appropriate materials and components, thermoforming, trimming, assembling devices, evaluating workmanship and fabrication performed by outside central fabrication facilities, ensuring structural safety and manufacturer recommendations are followed for final delivery to patients. Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure, maintain, and document optimal fit and function of prostheses, orthoses, soft goods, inserts, shoes, and compression devices provided to patients. Provides oversight of fitters and/ or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm M - F at first, transitioning to 7:00 am - 5:30 pm M- Th Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53965-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Micaela.Gaytan@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
