Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to current permanent VISN 10 Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ
1. General duties include:
- Comprehensive examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires.- Formulation of a treatment plan.
- Design component selection, measurement/casting of the patient, fabrication, and fitting of the device to the patient.
- Proper documentation of the patient record.
- Continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit, function and changing needs of the patient.
2. Functions:
A) Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs.
B) Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient.
C) Perform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis.
D) Provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis.
E) Complies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management.
F) Participation affiliations.
- Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians, and office staff (e.g., publications, seminars, case studies).
And other related duties.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91649-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact Chelsea Horton at Chelsea.Horton@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

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).

Grade Determinations:

Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-05:

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-07:
Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level.

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases.
• Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency.
• Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication.
• Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-09:

• Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment.

OR

• Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.
• Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
• Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions.
• Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.

Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-11:
Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies.
• Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications, and to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditions.
• Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.

Preferred Experience: 2 years experience at the GS11 level preferred.

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: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Includes:
- Reaching: This position requires use of the arms to include movement away from the body.
- Standing: This position frequently requires standing to perform duties
- Walking: This position requires frequent moving about on foot.
- Lifting: Lifting of equipment or supplies not to exceed 50 pounds is required of this position.
- Fingering/hands: This position requires: hands on contact with veterans as it relates to the provision.
- Talking: This position requires the incumbent to verbally communicate instructions.
- Hearing: This position requires constant perception of sounds at normal range, including the reception of oral communication both in person and over the phone
- Vision: This position requires constant ability to see near and far.
- Balancing: This position requires constant maintenance of equilibrium.
- Bending: This position requires frequent bending at the knees.
- Kneeling: This position requires occasional bending of legs at knee to come to a rest or kneel.
- Crouching: this position requires occasional bending of the body downward and forward
- Pushing: This position requires occasional use of the upper extremities to press against something.
- Pulling: this position requires occasional use of the upper extremities to exert force.
- Carrying: This position occasionally requires the use of upper extremities.

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 VISN 10.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

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.