This position functions as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the VISN 9 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line. Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line in VISN 9 is a fully integrated system at the VISN level. Although our staff are assigned to specific primary duty stations at the facility level, our staff are not employed by that facility and rather work for the VISN.

Duties

**As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be required to travel to satellite clinics and on occasion Veteran's homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory.** Functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab within the VISN 9 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line. Assures accreditation of the laboratory and regulatory compliance. Performs a variety of administrative duties such as budget development, managing inventory and resources, overseeing contract employees, planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule, conducting site surveys of commercial vendors, devising short- and long-range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA central office direction; and conducting quality assurance activities, etc. Works with the national prosthetic patient database, national prosthetics software package, decision support system, and accreditation requirements for O&P laboratories and individuals. Analyzes data and provide reports using CPRS, VISTA, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. 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. Analyzes complex patients in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc. Assesses patients 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; 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. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Participates as a member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions. This requires advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait, range of motion, lifestyle, etc. for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions. Completes all required documentation including VISTA, CPRS, encounters, FLOW and other requirements as they evolve. Reviews and triages prosthetics requests daily and communicates with scheduling team as to which patients to schedule in house vs. those to be sent to outside commercial vendors. Performs the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician. This may include but is not limited to: casting, digitizing, scanning, positive model preparation and modification, selecting appropriate materials and components, thermoforming, trimming, assembling devices, evaluating workmanship and fabrication performed by outside central fabrication facilities, ensuring structural safety and manufacturer recommendations are followed for final delivery to patients. Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure, maintain, and document optimal fit and function of prostheses, orthoses, so goods, inserts, shoes, and compression devices provided to patients. Provides oversight of fitters and/ or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm M - F at first, transitioning to 7:00 am - 5:30 pm M- Th Compressed: After initial training period Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:30272-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. Driver's License: Must 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. AND, 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. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Orthotist-Prosthetist experience, experience working in outlying clinics, working independently in all aspects of O&P. References: VA Handbook 5005/91, Part II, Appendix G32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: 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 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Melanie Clark
• Phone: 0000000000
• Email: [email protected]