Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT IRON MOUNTAIN VA EMPLOYEES ONLY

Videos

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

• Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing segments of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals. Performs technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the PSAS. Duties are typically performed independently with minimal supervision. Provides training, advice, and guidance related to statistics, data analysis, budgeting, contracting, procurement, inventory management, human resources, etc. Serves on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of PSAS's issues, initiatives, and projects.
• Works closely with senior PSAS's staff to draft, develop, and implement new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs. Maintains awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements by governing bodies, i.e. The Joint Commission (JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). Keeps abreast of current issues in the health care industry and
  technological advancements. Completes contracting and procurement assignments to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Works in collaboration with supervisor to oversee the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic and Optical Laboratories.
• Ensures requests for items or services are complete and received under established timeframes. Confers independently with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers as needed regarding procurement needs. Monitors contracts for compliance with PSAS's statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services. Keeps the supervisor well informed of procurement or contract issues as they arise. Monitors and analyzes PSAS compliance reports, Delayed Order Report, aged credit card transactions, compliance metrics and scorecards. Develops tools that monitor VHA's quality assurance program. Analyze and interpret data for trends and provide guidance to improve quality assurance, policies and procedures. Works in collaboration with supervisor and senior staff to plan, draft, develop, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to authorize benefit payment and reimbursement.
• Identifies and selects codes for the National CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). Enter every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting. Conducts data analysis using the program's statistical data to prepare various VHA and PSAS reports regarding prosthetics and sensory aids. Ensures surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared; collaborates with Supply Chain Management to establish local procedures and to disposition implants appropriately.
• Collaborate with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues. Uses analytical abilities, communication skills, and social awareness to identify, analyze, and resolve routine prosthetic issues or problems to effectively complete assignments.
• Reviews, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients need to use prosthetic devices. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, fitting, or repair of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Prepares minutes and/or correspondence to veterans, health care officials regarding prosthetics needs, requirements, and clinic decisions and recommendations to ensure they are implemented. Drafts responses to a variety of policy and routine and non-routine correspondence inquires related to Veterans, contractors, congressional, Home O2 program issues, new local and national guidelines implementation. Assists with processing Veteran appeals and drafting responses.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized.
Telework: Not Authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10027F,10028F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):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.
• 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.
• 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. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in 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
• 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. At this level, responsibilities include working directly with Veterans and clinical teams to assist with applications for benefits related to benefit programs such as automobile adaptive equipment, home improvement and structural alterations, and clothing allowance programs. Experience includes working closely with the treatment team in development of prescriptions and identifying products available on contract that meet the medical needs of patients. Duties are typically performed independently with minimal supervision.
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, Public Administration, or Business Management.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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 the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. Experience includes provide oversight, administration and coordination for a number of services including but not limited to procurement, clinical services, customer service/reception, inventory management associated with medical, rehabilitative, and durable medical equipment devices; home durable medical equipment delivery/set-up/installation; visual or hearing devices; assistive technology; and orthotics/prosthetics, and contract programs such as home oxygen, durable medical equipment, and eyeglasses. Experience also includes assisting the clinic team to ensure access to the most clinically appropriate products and services. Knowledge of quality improvement metrics, national, VISN, and facility contracts, monitoring workflow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation

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-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items. Some positions may require sitting for long periods of time at a computer terminal typing data while talking on a telephone headset.

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.

What do I have to include on my resume?

There are several things to consider when creating your resume for a federal job.

• Your resume must be two pages or less and explain why you are qualified for the job.
• Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• Make sure your work experience addresses the requirements and qualifications in the job announcement.
• You should tailor your resume to include experience relevant to each job you want to apply for.

Include important contact information at the top

Include current contact information. Most job applications require this information:

• Full name
• Your email address
• Your phone number

Read the job announcement carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

Add relevant work experience.

For each relevant work experience, make sure you include:

• Employer name
• Job title
• Start and end dates (include the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• Brief descriptions that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement.
• Series and grade for federal jobs only.

Example:

Program Analyst GS-343-11January 2009-present40 Hours/week

Describe your experience that shows you can perform any tasks listed in the job announcement.

• "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."
• "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."

Add your education, certificates or licensures if required

When the job announcement requires position-specific education, license or certification information, make sure you include them in your resume and provide any required documents like transcripts, certifications or licenses.

Education information should include:

• Name of school/institution
• Completion date
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• Grade point average (GPA)

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.