Summary The person in this position functions as an advanced clinical member of the Birmingham VA Medical Center Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services. This Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner oversees training and implements clinical and laboratory services related to Prosthetics and Orthotics for disabled veterans. Responsibilities Major Duties: Maintains lab accreditation and regulatory compliance. Administrative duties include maintaining lab budget, managing inventory, plans Orthotic and Prosthetic clinical schedule Demonstrates an understanding of the intricate and distinctive activities and characteristics associated with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, the (Patient Aligned Care Team) PACT Committee, the Amputation System of Care (ASoC), the Regional Amputation Center (RAC), and the Service member Transitional Amputation Rehabilitation (STAR) program. Aids in the planning, development, and management of an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related clinical activities at the national, VISN, or local level. Acts as consultants to physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals regarding the indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic components, as well as prescription criteria. Authorizes the procurement, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Maintains ongoing communication with manufacturers and suppliers of prosthetic materials, evaluating their facilities and services, and participating in the procurement process for prosthetic appliance contracts. Creates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient. This role necessitates and in-depth understanding of the medical and psychological issues associated with using prosthetic devices, as well as expertise in the design and proper fitting of these devices. Travel Required: 25% or more. You will be expected to travel for this position. Job requires extensive travel Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Virtual: Ad-hoc Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification: Must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as a Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthotist/Prosthetist. Education: Must possess a bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, you must meet the grade determinations below. GS- 12 Level: You must have completed one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as an Orthotist/Prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex @types of condition. AND Can demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by ABC, BOC, the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the International Association of Orthotist and Prosthetist (IAOP), the American Academy of Orthotist and Prosthetists (AAOP), Joint commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO), etc. 2. Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD), knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) packet, Decision Support System (DSS), and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals. 3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, VISTA, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. 4. Ability to provide training to orthotist/prosthetist in new technologies and innovations in devices .References: VA Handbook 5005 VA Qualification Standard Appendix G32.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS- 11. Physical Requirements: The MoPOC Orthotist-Prosthetist functions primarily within VA CBOC facilities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, with intermittent bending, pulling, and pushing. Movement between work areas within the health care system is expected. Occasional lifting of objects up to 45 pounds may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing appropriate to the health care environment. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient and department needs. The incumbent must be able to operate a passenger vehicle without supervision using a class C driver's license. Preference: Certification by American Board for Certification as both an Orthotist and Prosthetist is preferred. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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 in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.
