Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. First consideration will go to current permanent employees of VISN10, second consideration will go to permanent VHA employees, third consideration will go to U.S. Citizens.

Videos

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ

The incumbent is also responsible for the overall management of prosthetic staff, equipment, physical plant and
other material sources relating to the -prosthetic/orthotic laboratories within the network.

The incumbent is responsible for the establishment and implementation of program goals to accomplish the multiple missions of the prosthetic services within the resources available and time frame set. The incumbent is responsible for providing a vision and leading the development of these activities, as well as writing directives for clinical and administrative support staff.

The incumbent performs as an experienced supervisor and subject matter expert for all staff professionals in the areas of Prosthetics, Orthotics and Pedorthics with full responsibility for the technical interpretation of prescriptions and management of clinics.

The incumbent develops screening and procedural mechanisms, which will identify the targeted population within the catchment areas of the various health care systems.

Ensures the maintenance of medical and administrative records and data to ensure proper documentation for JCAHO, CARF, ABC, BOC and quality assurances purposes.

Ensures timely submission of reports to the VISN Prosthetic Manager and top management on budget estimates, requirements for planning, anticipated workloads and corresponding alignment to the production capability of the unit or units involved.

Administers a formal systemic plan for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of each phase of the prosthetic clinical program in accordance with congressional mandates, central office directives and VISN policies, contracts and procedures taking into account the diverse needs of local station management.

Approves procedures for appropriate stock and inventory records and levels to ensure availability of high use items required to facilitate discharge at all stations, to ensure that stock levels are not excessive or inappropriately utilized, and to insure in-place audit records for full accountability.

The incumbent actively supports the EEO program.

Ensures coordination and technical advice is furnished to the orthotic and prosthetic clinic, providing administrative and technical assistance with the examination and prescription of prostheses and orthoses and evaluation of experimental and test devices with authority to replace non-custom fitted appliances, and the administration of the prosthetic repair program.

Coordinated integration of Prosthetic Service, as it relates with other specialty programs such as Wound Care, PAVE, Spinal Cord Injury, ASOC, NCOPE etc.

Acts as liaison with and is responsible for a variety of duties in connection with maintaining relationships with orthotic and prosthetic contractors, prosthetic manufacturers and central fabrication labs.

The incumbent maintains good public relations with commercial prosthetic manufacturers and dealers and acts as interpreter of regulations as the representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The incumbent provides representation to the following:
Orthotic, Prosthetic, Pedorthic Clinical Services
Network Director VISN 10
Network CMO VISN 10
VISN 10 Prosthetic Manager
VIAN 10 AUS
Advisor and consultant to all VISN 10 Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinics
VISN 10 Rural Health Initiative

The incumbent has primary responsibility for meeting the clinical needs of beneficiaries residing in the area of jurisdiction.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91818-0

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Creditable Experience
(1) Knowledge of Current Orthotist/Prosthetist Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current professional orthotic and/or prosthetic professional practice.
(2) Quality of Experience. The experience must be post-degree, from an accredited training program and include work as a professional orthotist/prosthetist directly related to the 4 position to be filled. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significantly larger scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Orthotist/Prosthetist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed, fabricated, modified and fitted orthoses and prostheses based upon the independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, 9 the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
1. Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by ABC, BOC, NCOPE, IAOP, AAOP, JCAHO, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc., in order to provide advice to VISN management of the implementation of those requirements.
*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, a knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software package, CPRS, DSS and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and knowledge of certification requirements for clinical staff in order to develop VISN guidelines and policies, allocate resources within the VISN, and project future workload for the VISN.
*3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using HCPC codes and other patient database information from VISN orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and to provide such reports to VISN management.
*4. Ability to serve as a consultant to orthotists/prosthetists within the VISN on emerging technologies, the most difficult and complex cases, changes in policy, etc.
*5. Ability to supervise. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.)

Supervisory Orthotist/Prosthetist. The orthotist/prosthetist at this level serves as the supervisor and laboratory manager for large laboratories or multiple satellite laboratories. In addition to the responsibilities described at the GS-12 level, this assignment includes serving as a VISN resource/consultant for orthotics and prosthetics; performing or overseeing testing and evaluation of design concepts; overseeing and evaluating contract orthotics and prosthetics vendors.

Preferred Experience: Completion of 1 year experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.