Orthotist-Prosthetist

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education.1. A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR, 2. A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. Board Certification.

Candidates must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Certification as a technician, pedorthist, assistant or fitter does not meet this requirement. Grade Determination: GS-11 Orthotist-Prosthetist. Experience.

Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.

Experience includes: Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team, including knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies, and knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions and ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies.2.

Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications, and to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditions.3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.

02Preferred Experience

Possess at least two years of recent clinical experience providing direct patient care in both prosthetics and orthotics, ideally working with a diverse and medically complex patient population. Demonstrated proficiency in patient assessment, device design, fitting, and follow-up care using advanced materials and technologies. Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, educating patients and families, and utilizing electronic health records is highly valued.

Knowledge of accreditation standards and a commitment to serving Veterans further distinguish exceptional candidates for this position. 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 GS-11.

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major Duties include but are not limited to: Comply with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g., FDA, ADA, OSHA, MSDS, NCOPE, ABC and BOC.) Demonstrate proper documentation of patient history and financial records by using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care and other pertinent information Communicates roles and expectations of employers and employees by providing documentation to create a professional, cooperative working environment and improve patient care Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians and office staff (e.g., publications, seminars, case studies) Participates in education for residents, students and trainees Participate in product development research, clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies Participates in/with consumer organizations and non-governmental organizations to promote competency and enhancement of orthotic/prosthetic profession Provides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis Performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis Creates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC ONLY, as determined by the agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 512-00232-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized