The general responsibility of the Orthotist And Prosthetist (Certified) is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients. 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. 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: Orthotists, Prosthetists, or Orthotist and Prosthetists appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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 and 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. Preferred Experience: Certified Prothotist and Orthotist (CPO). The incumbent will be responsible for attending a weekly Amputee Clinic, assisting the Amputee Provider on appropriate prescription of Artificial Limb devices, providing the correct Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) for each component of the Artificial Limb, and reviewing the quote from the Prosthetic vendor for contracted rate accuracy. Grade Determinations: GS-12 (a) 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. (b) 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: 1. 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. 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) package, 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 Orthotists/Prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices. 5. Ability to provide oversight, training and support for Orthotic fitter staff, as needed. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/91 PART II APPENDIX G32 II-G32-1 APPENDIX G32. ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-667 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Lifting (25 lbs and over); Carrying (25 lbs and over); Pushing and pulling; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing for extended periods; Repeated bending. Ability for simultaneous mental and muscular coordination. ["This position functions in the Orthotics Section of the Prosthetic Treatment Center in the Prosthetics Service at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. The Orthotist And Prosthetist provides clinically appropriate orthotic devices and treatment. To accomplish this goal, the Orthotist And Prosthetist conducts a comprehensive assessment, devises a treatment plan, performs the design, fabrication and fitting of devices, documents encounters in the patient record, and provides continuing care through follow up with the patient. The major duties of the position include but are not limited to; Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients' orthotic needs; Creates a comprehensive orthotic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient; Performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis; Provides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis; Complies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management; Participates in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations. Work Schedule: To be assigned by the Supervisor based on the needs of the facility. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
