The position is located in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. This position functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics & Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the Orthotics & Prosthetics Lab. As a MoPOC clinical provider, you will be required to travel to satellite clinics & on occasion, Veteran's homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory.

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:

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Education:

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 OR 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.

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.

Drivers License:

Possess a current valid drivers license. Grade Determinations GS-12 : Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 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. Assignments at the GS-11 level. The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, oncology, etc., as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications 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; consideration of 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. The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. AND 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.
• Ability to manage and supervise employees.

(To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.)

Preferred Experience:

5 years experience as an ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist.

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:

WCHCS PM&R

Service functions within the VA Western Colorado Health Care System within VA medical facilities; environmental exposures and physical demands vary across the health care systems. 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 is 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. Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state driver's license.