Summary

The Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner functions as a Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program clinician. They are responsible for the clinical care needs - administrative oversight - and accreditation compliance for the local VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) served - and for independently managing and operating a small mobile lab out of a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350). The person in this position works on a 4 day a week schedule for 10 hours a day.

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
• 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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent - as verified through an independent credential evaluation company) - with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-12 Experience
• Completion of 1 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 conditions
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC - BOC - the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) - the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP) - the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) - Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - etc
• *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) package - Decision Support System (DSS) - and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals
• *Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS - Vista - DSS - HCPCS codes and other patient database information
• *Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices
• Preferred Experience: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist with at least 3 years clinical experience Experience providing mobile care 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-12
• Physical Requirements: Required to operate a motor vehicle
• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Driving from SLVHCS to the CBOCs in a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350) equipped as a mobile orthotics and prosthetics workshop/ laboratory three days a week
• Visiting Veterans at home who cannot access care in other ways
• Devoting at least 25% of care for those Veterans with the most clinically complex needs including individuals with multiple limb amputations and those with mobility disability from diagnoses such as traumatic brain injury - spinal cord injury - and stroke
• Completing a variety of administrative duties such as budget development - managing inventory and resources - overseeing the orthotic and prosthetic schedule - devising short- and long-range goals in accordance with local - VISN - and VHA central office direction - and conducting quality assurance activities
• Working complex patient analysis in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions
• Assessing the patient for indications/contraindications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
• Considering new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications
• Providing ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure - maintain - and document optimal fit and function of prostheses - orthoses - soft goods - inserts - shoes - and compression devices provided to patients
• Reviewing and triaging prosthetics requests daily and communicating with the scheduling team
• Determining which patients require in-house scheduling and which patients can be sent to outside commercial vendors based on a detailed understanding of patient presentation and needs and other factors
• Maintaining knowledge of regulatory requirements established by various regulatory boards including the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) - Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - and other relevant regulatory bodies
• Providing an oversight and training of other Orthotists-Prosthetists - residents - trainees - fitters and/or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements
• Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday 6:30am to 5:00pm
• The person in this position works on a 4-day a week schedule for 10 hours a day
• Subject to change based on Agency needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior work experience or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement #: 629-01325F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized