Clarification from the agency

This Vacancy is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include but not limited to:

• Serving as a technical resource to clinicians with regard to selection, prescription and acquisition of prosthetic devices: furnishing information concerning such matters as historical data on products provided in the field of Prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices.
• Assess Prosthetics Veteran specific prescriptions to identify missing information critical to the completion of the order request and communicate with clinical staff to validate specification and or seeks clarification from local Prosthetic to complete some of the micro-purchases process.
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetics supplies, and services and supports the procurement award by demonstrating the ability to understand and apply procedures, regulations and Public Laws to procurement practices.
• Demonstrates the ability to give technical and administrative advice and assistance to problem solving on prosthetic related issues from other services within the agency and VA community base outpatient clinics
• Identifying orders for potential macro-purchase through collaboration with Acquisition and demonstrating the ability to enter a complete macro-purchase request into FORCE within established timelines.
• Communicating with other disciplines including health care and acquisition team members regarding prosthetics orders, eligibility, and program guidelines.
• Procuring surgical implant devices (i.e. biological, non-biological, live tissue) up to the micro- purchase threshold or legally allowed contract amount per Congressional, National, VACO, VISN and local guidance with the 8123 directive.
• Maintaining the Specialty Programs, Home Improvement Structural Alteration
  (HISA), Clothing Allowance, Surgical Implants, Home Oxygen, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and the Auto Adaptive Equipment programs for the Prosthetics Department.
• Develop and monitor quality improvement metrics to ensure the program is functioning in accordance with all established guidelines.
• Serve as a lead for the prosthetic program providing oversight of specific services within PSAS. May assist with oversight duties including making work assignments, monitoring work flow, providing input, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.
• May provide training to PSAS staff and other medical center employees, students and/ or trainees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework.
Functional Statement #: FS60546F, 59692F, 60533F, 60155F
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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Experience and Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • 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
  • 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
  • Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

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.

Grade Determinations:GS-05 Prosthetic Representative (Entry Level)
Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-07 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05).
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
• Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits.
• Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
• Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.

GS-09 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).
OR
Education: Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate 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 may 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
• Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors.
• Ability to apply and educate others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices.

GS-11 Prosthetic Representative (Full Performance Level)
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must possess one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity.
• Ability to work with a team, to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment, such as distributing workload; and monitoring the accuracy, status and progress of work.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels.
• Ability to assist in staff development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
• Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
• Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements.

Preferred Experience: See Education

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Able to lift up to 20 lbs. The ability to be mobile, and being able to physically use office equipment such as phones, printers, and computers.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration:
Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.

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.