Clarification from the agency

Open to All US Citizens

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Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• The Supervisory prosthetist orthotist at this level is responsible for assuring 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 fabrication schedule, devising short and long range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA central office direction; and conduction quality assurance activities, etc.
• The Supervisory prosthetist orthotist has or is developing knowledge of the administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and work load 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.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist 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 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. The orthotist- prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist will provide 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.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist will provide oversight of technicians as assigned based on certification requirements.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist may be called upon to provide educational in-services to physician groups such as podiatry, primary care, PMRS, orthopedics, etc. or other groups as assigned.
  At the GS 12 level, the supervisory prosthetist orthotist may provide training to orthotist prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist will comply with all policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business and financial management and organizational management
• At the GS 12 level, knowledge of the regulatory requirements established by ABC, BOC, NCOPE, IAOP, AAOP and JCAHO is required and to be adhered to.
• The incumbent will adhere to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines ( e.g. FDA, ADA, OSHA, MSDS, ABC and BOC)
• The incumbent will adhere to personnel policies and procedures including benefits, training, incentives, staff recognition, and regular performance appraisals
• The incumbent will adhere to all policies and procedure regarding patient care, rights and privacy.
  The incumbent will demonstrate proper documentation of patient history and financial records by using established record­keeping techniques to verify patient care and other pertinent information.
• The incumbent will communicate roles and expectations of employees and employer by providing documentation to create a professional, cooperative working environment and improve patient care.
• The supervisory prosthetist orthotist will participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations.
• Perform or prepare purchase card audit information for National, VISN and Local audits of purchase cards to include IPERA.
• Follows all financial guidance and policy on the government purchase card (GPC) program. This includes audits, security, purchasing limits and any documentation required by Law, Congress, V ACO, VISN or local policy.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Education
  • (1) 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) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. c. 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. d. 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. 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. e. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists.

• Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA 's:
  • 1. 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.
  • 2. 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
  • *3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information.
  • 4. Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.
  • 5. Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.)

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.