Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Prosthetic and Sensory Aides Service (PSAS) provides support to optimize the health and independence of the Veteran services provided in various setting, including the Veterans Integrated Service (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics and domiciliary in the United States. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series, refer to Required Documents below. Responsibilities VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ MAJOR DUTIES: Responsible for the supervision, administ4ative management, a safe work environment of assigned PSAS staff. Reviews and modifies work processes to achieve optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Ensure customer satisfaction. Take corrective action as needed. Manage document control. Draft and develop performance standards, position description and functional statements. Responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. Serve as contract officer representative (COR) for PSAS contracts. Develop statements of work for service contracts and monitor contracts for compliance with statements of work. Conducts home visits and site visits on contracted vendors and serves as the COR it authorizes benefit payments, reimbursement, and contract compliance. Process 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. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively both orally in writing. Draft, develop, and implement new local organizational polices directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs. Prepare minutes. Responds to a variety of policy and correspondence inquiries related to Veteran concerns, contractors, Congressional Inquiries, Extra Views, Home O2 program issues, new local and national guidelines implementation, and develop tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program, etc. Processes Veteran appeals and responses. Ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. Reviews medical and administrative files of Veterans; interviews Veterans to determine if eligibility requirements are met and inspecting prosthetic equipment /appliances; and schedule patients and provide the necessary documentation to obtain the device needed. Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary action to resolve issues. Reviews, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients need to use prosthetic devices. Ensure surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared. Collaborate with Supply Chain Management to establish local procedures and to disposition implants appropriately. Finding and implementing ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, and promote team building, or improve business practices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 517-25497-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. Individuals 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience equivalent to the next lower grade includes: Provide oversight, administration and coordination for several 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. The Prosthetic Representative assists with management and oversight of contract programs such as home oxygen, durable medical equipment, and eyeglasses. They are responsible for the administration of benefit programs, such as home and structural alterations, automobile adaptive equipment, and clothing allowance. The Prosthetic Representative is aware of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients to obtain specialized service programs as stated in paragraph 2.g. above. When non-contract products are required, the Prosthetic Representative assists the clinical team in developing appropriate justifications, to ensure access to the most clinically appropriate products and services when such as product functionality not available with contract products to ensure access to the most clinically appropriate products and services. The Prosthetic Representative works directly with Veterans and clinical teams to assist with applications and answer questions related to benefit programs that cannot be handled by lower- level employees. 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. They develop and monitor quality improvement metrics to ensure the program is functioning in accordance with all established guidelines. They have a full working knowledge of national, VISN, and facility contracts that apply to PSAS and are responsible for providing management with documentation pertaining to contract compliance issues or concerns. This includes working with clinical staff to make recommendations for improvements based on quality improvement reports. At this level, employees may serve as the lead for the prosthetic program providing oversight of specific services within PSAS. They may assist with oversight duties including making assignments, monitoring workflow, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care. They may provide training for PSAS staff and other medical center employees, students and/or trainees. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to providing home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, or orthotics/prosthetics services. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditure), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. 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. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessment of competencies; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Preferred Experience: Prosthetic experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is above the full performance level of GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used to determine the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact on your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages people to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
