Clarification from the agency

This job is open to ALL US Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The incumbent serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services. 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.

Duties include, but not limited to:

Supervisory

• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates and assigns work based on priorities. Provides direction and guidance in accomplishing major milestones, goals, and objectives. Adjusts workloads, projects, and forecasts future work.
• Develops functional statements, performance standards and competencies.
• Evaluates work performed by employees; interviews candidates for positions and makes selections; hears and resolves employee complaints and grievances; counsels employees and initiates disciplinary actions. Identifies developmental and training needs to ensure organizational proficiency.
• Manages time and leave.
• Recommends promotions, and special advancements for performance and advancements for achievements.
• Responsible for the professional practice of all facility PSAS staff.
• Ensures all supervisory functions are carried out in accordance with VA Human Resources rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Program Oversight

• The Chief is a member of the senior leadership team providing advice for integrated care programs for a diverse Veteran population with multiple diagnoses, and other needs who is responsible for the oversight of operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic Laboratories including restorations with frequent care coordination with the VISN operated optical lab to achieve mission goals.
• Plans, develops, organizes, directs, manages, controls, implements, and evaluates programs for all PSAS service lines for VHI. The Richard L.Roudebush VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Indianapolis, Indiana is a Level 1A facility (highest complexity), tertiary care medical center, providing care for patients across Indiana. More than 65,000 patients are treated by the Indianapolis VAMC requiring over 800,000 annual patient and guest visits.
• Plans, prepares, executes, and analyzes organizational budget, valued at $40,000,000, to insure that operating program objectives are met. Manages special purpose prosthetics funding and ensures proper cost controls and spending procedures throughout the service. Evaluates financial trends and determines compliance with agency guidance. Coordinates assigned regional budget segment and planning processes in order to inform upper management on key issues, to impact Agency processes and decision-making, or to plan the
  regional budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Serves as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in prosthetic and sensory aids. Advises clinicians with regards to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices. Furnishes information on developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices. Interprets prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that medically indicated prosthetic devices and/or services are prescribed for, patients. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Keeps abreast of current issues in the health care industry and technological advances.
• Represents VA with other agencies within and outside the federal government on issues regarding prosthetic and sensory aids services to ensure best practice and compliance within VHI.
• Develops local policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures
• Establishes short and long-term strategic plans to ensure that programs are managed in a manner that enhances the achievement of goals and objectives. Develops proposals, business plans, and action plans to improve effectiveness. Ensures the effective utilization of resources to include space, equipment, supplies, and personnel.

Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Remote: This is not a remote postion
Functional Statement #: 91929-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
Financial Disclosure report: Required

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 identification 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).
• 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.

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.

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: GS-13 Prosthetic Representative
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
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 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:

1. Preferred Experience as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in prosthetic and sensory aids. Advises clinicians with regards to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices. Furnishes information on developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices. Interprets prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that medically indicated prosthetic devices and/or services are prescribed for, patients. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Keeps abreast of current issues in the health care industry and technological advances.
2. Experience in Conducting home and vendor visits to authorize benefit payments, reimbursement, and contract compliance. Processes and authorizes service and payment of monthly Home O2 program. Reviews, monitors, analyzes, and evaluates the results of various databases prosthetics data referring to staff for guidance.
3. Experience in determining eligibility for prosthetic services/items for veterans. Reviews veterans medical and administrative files; interview veterans; inspects equipment and appliances; and authorizes benefit payments and reimbursements.

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.

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.

NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience 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.

NOTE: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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.