The staff Prosthetist/Orthotist works as a team member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) department within the Butler VA Health Care System under the administrative supervision of the Department Program Manager This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive - May be Authorized

Duties

Below is a list of require duties but may not be limited to. 1. Responsible for oversight of the mobile lab when stationed at the Butler Health Care Center and ensures compliance with regulations and accreditation standards. This includes planning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical schedule, collaborating with contract employees, devising short- and long-range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VA Central Office direction, and conducting quality assurance activities. 2. Required to safely and proficiently maintain a safe clinical environment through routine inspection of equipment and physical area and requesting work orders for maintenance and repairs as needed. Assures a safe workplace, considering environmental concerns, OSHA and The Joint Commission regulations. Observes appropriate established infection control guidelines. 3. The incumbent expertly oversees 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 prosthetics software package, Decision Support System (DSS) and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals. 4. The Prosthetist/Orthotist performs complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex and potentially interrelated conditions. 5. The Prosthetist/Orthotist's clinical assessments include patient's gait, range of motion, lifestyle, skin integrity, etc., for Veterans with a wide range of complex medical conditions and designs unique and innovative devices to accommodate those conditions and comorbidities. 6. The incumbent contributes to the development of prescription criteria for prosthetic and orthotic devices and develops the final coding for all prosthetic limb and custom orthotic device prescriptions while in the clinic at the time of patient evaluation. 7. The Prosthetist/Orthotist attends clinics as a fully participating member of the treatment team and has considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. The incumbent has advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. 8. The Prosthetist/Orthotist is knowledgeable with the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). 9. Incumbent fits prefabricated braces and serves as the subject matter expert for these types of services and products. 10. Incumbent fabricates, fits, adjusts and repairs custom prostheses and orthoses through various methods and materials and measures and fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. 11. Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to ensure optimum patient outcome. 12. The Prosthetist/Orthotist measures, casts and scans patients to develop positive molds for custom devices. 13. Prepares negative cast for scanning for the use of digitizer, CAD-CAM software and carver, pouring of plaster/alginate, and shipping. 14. Prepares the positive mold and performs scans, tracing, and impressions of body segments for lamination and/or metal, thermoplastic, thermosetting acrylic or epoxy resins, carbon, fiberglass and nylon. 15. Performs biomechanical/bench alignment, formation of metal components and bench fabrication for prostheses and orthoses. 16. Evaluates the final product as to the specifications, trim lines, contours, quality, pleasing cosmetic aesthetics and safety of the item. 17. Evaluates the patient's ability to don/doff the device and provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. 18. The CPO maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts. 19. The Prosthetist/Orthotist is an integral member of the PAVE Committee (VHA Directive 1410) and collaborates with podiatrists and amputation care providers. Work Schedule: Mon - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm ET Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP: Authorized - This position is eligible for the Education Dept Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. To participate in the program, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA Policy 1021 and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact Cynthia L. Powell, EDRP Coordinator for additional information at [email protected]

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. 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 English 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 (Above Full Performance Level) 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. KSA's: (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 (*): 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 manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.) References: VA Handbook 5005-91, Part II, Appendix G32 Dated: March 21, 2017. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting, Moderate Carrying, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated Bending, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Hearing, Mental and Emotional stability

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes
****Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral.

Contacts

• Address VA Butler Healthcare 353 North Duffy Road Butler, PA 16001 US
• Name: Paula Schubele
• Phone: 850-710-0150
• Email: [email protected]