Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Applicants will be referred in the following order: First - Veteran Preference eligibles ; Second- All other qualified applicants.

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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in development of local organizational policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures.
• Authorize and prepare purchase orders following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), National, VISN and NWI policy and procedures.
• Assist in development of Statements of Work for service contracts.
• Assist in monitoring contracts for compliance to statement of work.
• Receive, analyze and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services.
• Identify and select national CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes are entered for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting.
• Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment and benefits to beneficiaries and other health care workers.
• Recommends new performance measures; measures effectiveness against existing performance measures.
• Analyze, review and evaluate results of various monitors and databases. Help to develop tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program.
• Inform Veterans, caregiver/family and other stakeholders on different appliances and services available. Confers with clinical staff, coworkers and vendors on Veteran related issues.
• Analyze costs to aid in development of cost containment initiatives.
• Review medical and administrative files of Veterans to determine eligibility.
• Interview Veterans and inspect prosthetic equipment /appliances.
• Authorize benefit payment and reimbursement.
• Assist with conducting home and vendor visits as needed.
• Assist in implementing JC standards of care.
• Coordinate/attend specialty clinics which may include wheelchair, amputee, Major Medical Equipment Committee (MMEC), clothing allowance and the home oxygen program.
• Participate in team discussions.
• Prepares correspondence to Veterans, health care officials.
• Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert.
• Ensure clinic decisions are implemented.
• Issues inventory and refers the Veteran to proper clinical area for evaluation.
• Assists the Chief and Assistant Chief of the service to monitor spending against established spending plans.
• Keep abreast with current issues in the health care industry and technological advancements.
• Assist in the administration of the Veterans appeal process.
• Assists in implementation of new directives, programs and policies. Is accountable for proper application of National, VISN, NWI and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Assist with the provision of employee training.
• Assist with communication and respond orally or in writing with management, Veterans, clinicians, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Assist with the preparation and present lectures to VA and/or non-VA functions.
• Assist with resolving conflicts.
• Perform or prepare purchase card audit information for National, VISN and Local audits of purchase cards to include IPERA.
• Follows all financial guidance and policy on the government purchase card (GPC) program. This includes audits, security, purchasing limits and any documentation required by Law, Congress, VACO, VISN or local policy.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, 8:00am to 4:30pm or 9:00am to 5:30pm tours available.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 dentification 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.
• Experience and Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
  • (1) 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
  • (2) 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
  • (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• NOTE: Foreign Education- To be creditable, education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

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

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirement.

GS-7 Prosthetic Representative

• 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

• 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

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Prosthetics and customer service experience 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: Work requires movement throughout the medical center, standing, bending, sitting, reaching, and lifting up to forty five pounds. There exists prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Normal safety precautions are utilized as appropriate for office, hospital, and warehouse settings. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times the employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (i.e., mask and gown) when visiting work areas with other environmental exposures including the wheelchair repair shop or Orthotic Laboratory.

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.