Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees and current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

Videos

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

The incumbent works on a full range of developmental prosthetic and sensory aids assignments for PSAS. Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing segments of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals.

GS5 Level - Serves as an entry-level basic trainee Prosthetic Representative performing a variety of technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments. Works closely with supervisor and PSAS senior-level staff to receive advice and guidance, on a full range of all prosthetic and sensory aids developmental assignments, projects, and sensory aids developmental assignments, projects, and activities.

GS-7 Level - Serves as an advanced trainee Prosthetic Representative performing a variety of technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments. Obtains formal and informal on-the-job-training and exposure on the full range of Prosthetic Representative duties. Receives review, advice, and guidance from more senior PSAS's staff regarding complex, developmental assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals, as it relates to prosthetic and sensory aids.

GS-9 Level 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.

GS-11 Level Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing a variety of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities independently to meet PSASs long-and-short term program goals. Performs technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the PSAS. They provide recommendations to the treatment team regarding the development of prescriptions and provide technical assistance and guidance on planning and coordination efforts, to address complex patient medical and rehabilitative needs for equipment, services, and benefits. At this level employees may serve as the lead for the prosthetic program providing oversight of specific services within PSAS.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Ensures requests for items or services are complete and received under established timeframes. Confers with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers regularly regarding procurement needs, referring to senior staff for guidance as needed.
• Monitors contracts for compliance to the statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services.
• 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. Maintains a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices.
• Prepares minutes and/or correspondence to veterans, health care officials regarding prosthetics needs and requirements, and clinic decisions and recommendations. Assists in preparing local standard operating procedures/policies.
• Participates in home and vendor visits, with a supervisor and/or senior Prosthetic Representative, to authorize benefit payments, reimbursement, and contract compliance. Processes and authorizes service and payment of monthly Home O2 program under the guidance of PSAS's senior staff or supervisor. Reviews, monitors, analyzes, and evaluates the results of various databases' prosthetics data referring to staff for guidance.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
Telework: Some Ad Hoc telework may be authorized per Agency policy. This could be occasional, episodic, or a short-term basis.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94491A, 94492A, 944913, 94494A
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.
• 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

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; 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-5 Prosthetic Representative (Entry Level)
Experience. None beyond the basic requirement.

GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
2. Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits.
3. 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.
4. Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.

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. 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:

1. Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
2. Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
3. Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors.
4. Ability to apply and educate others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations.
5. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Ability to assist in staff development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
5. Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
6. Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements.

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-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. 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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible application will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employee of the facility
2. All other VA employees
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies

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.

Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with Prosthetic Representative responsibilities. The experience is only creditable if documented in the application and verifiable through employment references and/or other means. Examples of qualifying experience include experience in a health care setting, and familiarity with home medical equipment, rehabilitation, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.

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.

Resume must include the following information:

• Job Title
• Detailed duties
• Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2024 to April 2025)
• Full-time or part-time (include hours worked per week)

Federal Experience listed on an resume must show series & grade - see here for more information:

• https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit
• https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/