Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens

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• Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing segments of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities, and long and short term program goals. Perms technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) Representative.
• Serves on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of PSAS's issues, initiatives, and projects.
• Authorizes the procurement of prosthetic and orthopedic appliances and their repair; is responsible for planning, developing, and preparing budget estimates for the prosthetic program and assures effective financial management.
• In conjunction with health care professionals, inspects and critically evaluates artificial limbs and other custom fitted devices for which replacements have been requested. Recommends acceptance or rejection of such items to physicians, clinic teams, or special committees.
• Works closely with senior PSAS's staff to draft, develop, and implement new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs.
• Maintains awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements by governing bodies, i.e. The Joint Commission (JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC).
• Completes contracting and procurement assignments to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Works in collaboration with supervisor to oversee the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic and Optical Laboratories.
• Monitors contracts for compliance with PSAS's statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services.
• Works in collaboration with supervisor and senior staff to plan, draft, develop, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to authorize benefit payment and reimbursement.
• Work may include authorizing and preparing purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices, medical supplies and home medical equipment and repairs
• Identifies and selects codes for the National CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). Enters every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting. Conducts data analysis using the program's statistical data to prepare various VHA and PSAS reports regarding prosthetics and sensory aids.
• Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues.
• Uses analytical abilities, communication skills, and social awareness to identify, analyze, and resolve routine prosthetic issues or problems to effectively complete assignments.
• Reviews, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients need to use prosthetic devices. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, fitting, or repair of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Prepares minutes and/or correspondence to veterans, health care officials regarding prosthetics needs, requirements, and clinic decisions and recommendations to ensure they are implemented.
• Drafts responses to a variety of policy and routine and non-routine correspondence inquires related to Veterans, contractors, congressional, Home O2 program issues, new local and national guidelines implementation. Assists with processing Veteran appeals and drafting responses.
• Reviews medical and administrative files of veterans; interviews veterans to determine if eligibility requirements are met; inspects prosthetic equipment /appliances; and schedules patients and provide the necessary documentation to obtain the device needed.
• Interacts with Veterans, caregivers, and clinical staff by answering questions related to benefit programs, including questions about the provision of prosthetic items, home care equipment, benefits, or service issues, and discharge planning requirements. Informs veterans and family on different appliances and services available.
• Works closely with management on Human Resource actions. Assists the PSAS staff on human resources assignments, including developing functional statements, performance standards, and competencies. Provides training to PSAS's employees and participates in the department in public relations activities, i.e. lectures, town halls, and in-services.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 92697-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Required
Travel: Required
Drivers license required, must be able to operate a government vehicle

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.
• 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).
• 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

You must include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements.

Basic Requirements

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. 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.

Grade Requirements:
Experience - You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate, in their resume, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

1. Leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders, and managers.
2. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
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. Skill in coordinating work flow and work assignments.
5. Ability to counsel patients and work effectively with a clinical team to resolve conflict.

Preferred Experience:-Familiarity (1 year of experience) with the Adaptive Automotive Equipment, Home Improvements and Structural Alterations, Clothing Allowance and Service Dog Pet Insurance Programs.


Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Prosthetic Representative on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.


Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical evaluations are required for this hybrid occupation to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.

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.

You must include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements.


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.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.