This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application 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. 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). 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: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. Examples of Specialized Experience may include but not necessarily be limited to: Participated as a full member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. Conducted clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, lifestyle etc. for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications. Designed unique or innovative devices to accommodate complex/unusual patient conditions or complications. Recognized physical abnormalities, deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. 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.) Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 4 hours; standing 2 hours; kneeling 1 hour; repeated bending 2 hours; specific visual requirement to see computer, assess fitness; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); excessive noise intermittent; fumes, smoke or gases; solvents (degreasing agents); working around machinery with moving parts; working with hands in water; vibration; working closely with others; working alone; desk work. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G32 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualification Standard, Veterans Health Administration. ["This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. This is an open continuous announcement until June 30, 2023. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: The general responsibility of the Non-Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients. Included in this series is such work as: Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels. Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices. Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts. Participating in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data; and Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities. Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. Has considerable influence in the development of the plan. Considers 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. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@VA.GOV the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Recruitment/ Relocation Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
