Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. Veterans Preference will be applied.

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The incumbent serves as a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) for the facility's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The incumbent supervises staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veterans throughout the VHA. The incumbent manages and provides local-level oversight to facility PSAS programs to achieve mission goals. The primary duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Plans, develops, organizes, directs, manages, controls, implements, and evaluates programs for the Service.
• Manages and provides oversight for multiple programs at the local level and interacts with other government agencies and standards organizations.
• Develops local policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures.
• Ensures proper coordination between care delivered by PSAS and the overall delivery of healthcare within the facility.
• Assists in drafting and/or recommending national policies.
• Implements new, local, and national programs, guidelines, policies, and directives.
• Oversees the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Optical Laboratories including restorations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Telework: Ad Hoc Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71242-F
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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 dentification 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).

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:

a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

b. Experience and Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.

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. 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
3. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

c. Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

All persons employed in VHA as a Prosthetic Representative on the effective date of this 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0672 occupational series as prosthetic representatives may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) Prosthetic Representatives who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(3) Employees who are retained as a Prosthetic Representative under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a prosthetic representative.

GS-13 Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) Grade Determinations

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

(b) 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 11 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: Minimum of five years as a Chief or Assistant Chief of Prosthetics. Record of successfully managing staff working at multiple locations. Firm understanding of budget and contract management, as well as full orthotic laboratory oversite.

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: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required such as walking, bending, standing, carrying items and assisting personnel in wheelchairs. Most work can be done while seated, at a desk and computer keyboard. Infrequent requirements may include heavy lifting or carrying (up to 20 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, standing (up to 3 hours), repeated bending (up to I hour), near vision correctable at 13" to 16," and hearing (aid permitted). Frequent walking may be required. Incumbent may be required to travel to all sites of care within THVS.

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.