Summary The duties of the VISN 20 Northwest Health Network Supervisory Prosthetic Representative, Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit are to administer, supervise, or perform work concerned with rendering Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) to disabled patients. The Supervisory Prosthetic Representative, Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit is responsible for providing services for Veterans in the VISN 20 catchment area. Responsibilities 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/Approve purchase orders. Work directly with the site prosthetics representatives and the local clinicians and vendors to procure the appropriate supplies, equipment or device for the Veteran. Aid in the development of Statements of Work (SOW) for service contracts. Monitor contracts for compliance to statement of work. Assist in the planning, development and preparation of annual budget estimates. Assist in analyzing costs to develop cost containment initiatives. 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. Recommend and assist in establishing long and short term program goals. Responds to a variety of correspondence i.e. Veterans, Congressmen, contractors, Home Oxygen program. Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment and benefits to beneficiaries and other health care workers. Adjusts work load; recommends new performance measures; measures effectiveness against existing performance measures, review of workload and study workload/forecasting for future program growth. Assist with implementation of new National and Local guidelines/policy. Assist in developing tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program. Analyze, review and evaluate the results of various monitors and databases. Confers with contractors and other health care workers. Inform Veterans and family on different appliances and services available. Analyze costs to develop cost containment initiatives. Assist in coordination of specialty programs which include Clothing Allowance, Home O2, AAE, and HISA. Direct supervision of PSAS Centralized Purchasing Unit staff. Ensures adherence to personnel management rules, regulations, and procedures and develops functional statements, performance standards and competencies for staff. Evaluate and assess performance of supervised staff. Determine eligibility. Review medical and administrative files of Veterans. Interview Veterans and inspect prosthetic equipment /appliances. Authorize benefit payment and reimbursement. Conduct home and vendor visits when needed. Inspect and recommend approval of contractor prosthetic shops when needed. Implement JC standards of care, making sure that Purchasing Unit staff understand JC standards. Participate in team discussions. Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert. Ensure clinic decisions are implemented. Assist in management and maintenance of inventory. Issues inventory and refers the Veteran to proper clinical area for evaluation. Monitors spending against established spending plans. Sets guidelines and procedures to assure safe work environment and use of safety equipment. Keep abreast with current issues in the health care industry and technological advancements. Administer Veterans appeal process. Manages the time and leave program for the Centralized Purchasing Unit. Provides employee training for the Centralized Purchasing Unit. Responsible for the proper application of laws, rules and regulations by Centralized Purchasing Unit staff. Communicate and respond orally or in writing with management and/or stakeholders. Assists in the development of proposals, business plans, and action plans and assist in the management of resources, i.e., space, equipment, supplies, and personnel. Resolve conflicts Cardholders/Approving Officials and A/OPCs are required to have purchase card duties incorporated as a component of their performance plans (A/OPCs already have this due to their position descriptions in VHA). Follows all VHA office of Finance regulations on purchasing of devices for Prosthetics as well as completion of training as an AO/AAO for prosthetics purchase card holders. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Future schedule change to Sunday-Thursday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 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. 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 GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Supervisor) Grade Determinations: Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders, and managers. 2. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. 3. 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. 4. Skill in coordinating work flow and work assignments. 5. Ability to counsel patients and work effectively with a clinical team to resolve conflict. Preferred Experience: Government purchase card and customer service experience preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute. 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 to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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 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 persons with disabilities 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.
